Event management and entertainment businesses took a hit during the height of the pandemic as social events folded under the might of health regulations which prohibited public events and gatherings.
But as the regulations were gradually lifted and events are back into full swing, the demand for those services has once again mushroomed.
For Allyson McLeod this was the right time to get into the market.
In March, she launched her entertainment company, FunkyFitz, hoping to cash in on doing what she loved – planning events.
In an interview with Business Day, she said the company was created to "revolutionise the fete experience" and refine this art form while providing a mutual benefit to shareholders and stakeholders.
"Right now our service is hosting events, but soon we would like to branch off into merchandise by selling our FunkyFitz merch whether it be T-shirts or any other apparel. Also in the midst of all of this and creating these sources of income, we would also like to give a percentage of our income to charity."
She said some areas she is working to focus on are helping students pursuing their tertiary education and young and upcoming people in this industry. McLeod said it's her way of giving back to society. She added that this is just some of what FunkyFitz plans to offer in terms of paid services and helping build communities.
[caption id="attachment_984959" align="alignnone" width="768"] Creator of FunkyFitz Allyson McLeod at the launch of her company at the Brix, Cascade. -[/caption]
This idea came to McLeod when she hosted her first ever boat ride back in 2012 and wondered what more can be done to continue the growth of this new flame within her.
"This led to the formation of a group we called 'Happy People' and over the years we hosted numerous gatherings including one of the largest turnouts for calypso semifinals under the Happy People Promotions group," McLeod said.
She added, "In March 2022, when we decided to host a birthday party with invitees, it unexpectedly transformed into a 'birthday fete.' The success of this event sparked the idea to develop an entertainment company, to continuously reproduce such experiences. The brand represents high quality entertainment, unique ideologies of how to create and appreciate enjoyment and embracing diversity of class, status and all walks of life, which tend to bring widely varied contributions and personalities together and contribute seamlessly to elevated levels of excitement."
The Happy People Promotions group was made up of family members at the time of its origin and quickly grew after the calypso semifinals. She said now, the group has grown since then, but the family element remains.
To give people an insight into what FunkyFitz has to offer, McLeod held a launch party called Altitude for her brand on the roof-top restaurant at the Brix in Cascade on October 23.
Patrons were seen making use of the empty spaces in front of them and it was swiftly
