Creative Isle’s ‘CAN Market’ ignites hope amid pandemic

 The Creative Isle ‘CAN Market’ founder Keshini Suraweera

• Encouraging local micro entrepreneurs to broaden their scope in spite of a dwindling economy

As The Creative Isle’s ‘CAN Market’ initiative approaches its first-year anniversary, this interview with its founder Keshini Suraweera revisits some significant milestones. The CAN Market was a COVID-birthed project which boasted of many entrepreneurs’ success stories. These successes have been credited to the concept created by Suraweera to patronise local producers, while presenting B2B opportunities to have an audience with some of Sri Lanka’s most successful local business community. With a network of strong collaborations, it envisions to grow its platform to support a wider community.

Following are excerpts:

Q: What’s the inspiration behind The Creative Isle ‘CAN Market’ initiative?

During the first lock down in March 2020, it dawned on me that the small and medium businesses will now be faced with unprecedented challenges they had never confronted in history. As an entrepreneur myself I had first-hand experience of the magnitude of the challenge and the impact on my peers. This led to me envisioning a platform that would allow small business owners to showcase their produce and innovations and create a business momentum in these trying times. I recognised that the patronage of their products on the platform alone would not resolve the bigger problem. 

The bigger problem was that the global pandemic created an economic climate that would stunt the growth for expansion of any given business. Acknowledging this I came up with another additional feature to the ‘CAN Market’ where these micro entrepreneurs were given B2B opportunities with larger, more established Sri Lankan business icons. The counsel and guidance which was given by them Ignited hope and gave direction regarding how to move forward despite these dire circumstances. 

Q: How did you seek out the entrepreneurs?

 Once I shared the concept with those known to me in the business community, it was like a chain reaction where the word got out and I was approached by hundreds of micro entrepreneurs who were experiencing the challenges that I foresaw. 

Q:  Was there a selection criteria in place?

We were very open and flexible with those that we allowed to participate in the ‘CAN Market’ as we were determined to give everyone an opportunity. However, we did conduct interviews for evaluation of products and suggested improvements in branding and visual merchandising. We involved experts across different industries from food technology institutes to professionals and various research institutes to suggest improvements in keeping with approved standards.

Q: What prompted you to partner with the Foundation of Goodness and its Brand Ambassador Muttiah Muralitharan?

The Foundation of Goodness under its founder Kushil Gunasekara has a proven track record over the past decade in working towards developing communities to become self-sufficient. Certain members of my family have been involved with FOG project work over the years and I have accompanied them to Seenigama and witnessed first-hand the good work done by the foundation. I look to Kushil Gunasekara as a mentor and shared my project concept with him last May and he encouraged me with his blessings and guidance. He was one of the very few people who believed I could make this work despite the COVID. 

Whilst I had a choir of pessimists predicting high risk of failure and refusing to partner and support, we worked tirelessly with a genuine zeal to make this a timely initiative. The Creative Isle and FOG had similar motivation and we saw the synergy in working together to build this platform to support entrepreneurs and local artisans affected by the pandemic. Kushil Gunasekara, Muttiah Muralitharan and Mahdi Muralitharan have actively helped and been an incredible support over the past year. 

Q: What are the other significant collaborations supporting this venture?

When the Sri Lanka CAN Foundation heard of our initiative, they came forward to endorse and support. A special mention to Dilith Jayaweera for taking time to engage with the entrepreneurs on our platform by sponsoring several entrepreneur support forums. Derana TV and Pulse helped immensely in creating awareness throughout the year. We are delighted to have EFM as our Radio Partner and Wijeya Newspapers as our Print Media Partners supporting us in future endeavours. A very special mention to Daily FT for carrying our series of entrepreneur success stories and covering our many events at the market. The Creative Isle entrepreneurs are very grateful to the exposure. We thank the Colombo City Centre for generously renting out the space and now to OGF Mall, our new Venue Partner. We are very grateful to the creative expertise of Antyra Solutions, our Social Media Partner, and Aerial Productions, our Videography Partner. 

The National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have endorsed this initiative extending their support. Industry experts such as food technology partners and research projects attached to various universities are helping with innovations taking products to the next level. I also want to mention my gratitude to the various celebrities, politicians and social entrepreneurs who gave their sincere endorsement. Just to mention a few who responded to my invitation and graced us with their presence, we were honoured to have Mayor Rosy Senanayake, Jetwing Chairman Hiran Cooray, Kasturi Chellarajah, Varuni Amunugama, Harpo Gooneratne, Dr. Sulochana Sigera, Jonathan Alles, Caroline Jury, Bathiya and Santhush, Dhanu Innasithamby, Sachini Ayendra, Sangeetha Weeraratne, Mashi Siriwardena and Pubudhu Chathuranga.

Q: How did you decide on the venue?

Initially we were looking at Crescat Boulevard purely because our family business flagship store Kadapatha has been at Crescat for over 13 years. However, as my second branch was located at the Colombo City Centre, the then General Manager Selwyn Chiu having heard about my initiative invited me to consider Colombo City Centre as a venue. We decided to move forward with the space rental offered to us for a year. During the inaugural speech at the press launch I mentioned that it was my desire to have this initiative housed at various locations within the island and as a result, due to the success of this project, we have received many venue invitations.

Q: What can you tell us about the community of entrepreneurs you represent?

We represent entrepreneurs young and old from all parts of the island. Artisans engaging in traditional arts like beeralu, handloom, batiks, handicrafts, lacquer work, brass work, and cane and reed weaving are a primary focus. It is our duty to preserve these ailing industries as a part of our heritage. Patronising these traditional businesses deem to support the livelihood of entire village communities. With tourism at a standstill and the economy forcing people to only buy essentials, local artisans have been forced to face a huge dilemma.

It is interesting to note that the COVID forced many professionals to become entrepreneurs as their regular jobs were severely affected due to the global pandemic. Retirees and young entrepreneurs have launched startups pursuing business ventures that they are passionate about. The Creative Isle pioneered the concept of a weekend market in the comfort of a luxury mall. 

Food-based innovations, spices, cosmetics, soaps and fragrances, home and lifestyle products, stationary and ornamental products, clothing, accessories and footwear, are some of the many categories featured every weekend at the ‘CAN Weekend Market’. 

Q: As the visionary founder, what is your story?

At the age of 18 I was at crossroads having to choose between a creative career and a professional career. Even though I was a lover of the arts I qualified as a chartered accountant ACMA and went on to obtain my Master’s in Business from the University of Wales. I was exposed to entrepreneurship at the age of 19. My dad taught me the ropes of the apparel industry. Working for my family business I learnt from my very hard-working parents that nothing can be achieved without hard work and perseverance. 

During my 10 years in the apparel trade, I worked closely with the EDB and the United Nations Industrial Development – industry restructure projects and participated in trade fairs overseas. My efforts were recognised by the Chamber of Commerce, when I won the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Silver award. The next eight years I served as an internal management and finance consultant at Sierra Holdings, serving as Alternate Director to the Chairman of Sierra Road Engineering on numerous boards including Sierra Cables PLC. After the birth of my second son, I took a short break from corporate work and re-joined the family business Kadapatha Clothing.

Whilst I enjoyed the perks of a corporate career, I was at heart an artist a creative being, with a passion to support entrepreneurs and artisans. Hence, I moved in the direction of becoming a social entrepreneur, enthusiastic about stirring a movement which could benefit the community at large. I’m an island girl proud of my country, its people and rich heritage. The vision of The Creative Isle is to put Sri Lanka on the map as a truly creative nation. 

Q: What are The Creative Isle’s plans for the ‘CAN’ initiative in the future?

 We have lots of exciting new developments happening as soon as next month, the first major development being our new venue partnership with the Shangri-La One Galle Face Mall allowing for more vendor participation and greater consumer patronage. In addition, we are soon to launch an innovative, virtual concept in partnership with industry specialists. As we turn new chapters approaching our first year anniversary, we would like to invite small business owners who would like to be considered as potential vendors at the One Galle Face Weekend market and our virtual market, please log on to our website canmarket.lk to register. We invite all engaged in creative services to also register with us and be promoted through our site. 

Additionally, we like to invite members of the business community to partner with The Creative Isle. Join us in empowering and equipping creative entrepreneurs by sponsoring a deserving entrepreneur. Follow our inspirational vendor stories on our social media platforms. Sri Lanka is a resilient nation having overcome countless challenges over the decades. Together we can overcome. Creativity is contagious! Let’s spread that together.