2 weeks ago
5
From baking cheesecake discreetly to funding her education, 24-year-old Keiris Harris has turned quiet determination into a recipe for success. Born in east Trinidad to Keith Harris and Joanne Derrick-Harris, she enjoyed a modest childhood, finding joy in the everyday things.
After relocating to Port of Spain and eventually moving to Barbados with her mother and sister, Harris’s life took a challenging turn, but she remained focused. “It was tough,” she recalled, but she pushed through, excelling in her CXC and CAPE exams while quietly laying the foundation for a business that would change her life.
Noted for always keeping her head on her shoulders, no matter what, she focused on doing better and helping out wherever she could. She came up with a plan to assist her family financially.
Derrick-Harris said that although her daughter knew little about running a business, she quietly started one in Form Four. It helped her in many ways, including saving enough to buy her first cellphone on her own.
“The money I made was not only for me to have my own money,” stated Harris, “but also to help my mom with some tough expenses.”
She added, “The first product was cheesecake, managed very discreetly, and upon entering Form Six, I began to brand, market and expand my little business as though I was formally trained. I think it was hereditary, because even though my mom is a teacher, she is also a culinary genius, so she inspired and empowered me.
“I introduced cake cups and roti, among other items, to increase revenue. I felt good about myself and began to build confidence as my customer base grew, and my school was kind enough to allow me to be its supplier. I was also happy to be able to buy my first phone. My new iPhone became my marketing platform after creating my page kevas.delights.”
The phone, she said, “taught me that people eat with their eyes first, so I realised that capturing attention required good marketing skills and presentation. It was a lot of trial and error, but I learnt how to capture the items in a professional manner. I posted on IG and relished viewers’ feedback. I was very tech-savvy, so I began to grow the business online, which gave it a boost in Trinidad using trending songs.”
A very humble Harris said that while she had started catering for different occasions, she also came to realise the importance of investing.
“I was able to secure a second kitchen and purchase two new fridges strictly for catering purposes. All this while, I’m attending to my academic journey. My parents, whom I love, said they felt really proud of me. My dad is a retired Coast Guard officer, and my mom is a really good chef, cook, and mixologist, excellent in housekeeping, and remains a very good schoolteacher, currently at a special education school in Barbados. I bounced everything off her, and whatever she advised, I followed,” Harris said.
Harris continued to contribute financially—especially in funding her education—through her culinary skills. Along the way, she grew into a more creative, adaptable, and highly analytical individual. Her efforts earned her acceptance into two universities, but she ultimately chose to stay in her homeland.
After four years of study, last October, Harris graduated from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus, with a BA in English Language and Literature with Education and returned to Barbados, where she gained employment in the human resources, communications, public relations, and education fields, with basic sign language studies as a bonus.
With a deep love for Trinidad and Tobago and a desire to settle here, Harris returned to live with her father on January 26, determined to use her academic strengths to serve T&T—initially considering a career in the military. However, without gaining traction and missing her mother, she chose to make the most of her time by focusing on personal growth.
By mid-July, she returned to Barbados, where she is now pursuing a certificate in operations management while continuing to develop her culinary skills.
With her passion and drive, Harris continues to carve her path, balancing education and entrepreneurship as she looks confidently toward the future.
English (US) ·