Island Bowls AXA was founded by husband and wife team Samantha and Kevan Kentish. Having noticed a gap in the market for fresh fruits and veggie options, the duo decided to open Island Bowls AXA in 2018.
Island Bowl AXA is a restaurant with a plant-based menu, providing fresh and delicious options to the Anguillian public. Their main offering includes smoothie bowls which are dairy free and gluten free. The Smoothie bowls have a blended smoothie at the bottom, topped with homemade Granola, freshly cut fruit and shaved coconut. Customers have the option of eating them plain, with honey or agave. Prices range from US$5.00 to US$14.00 depending on the size of the bowl and the type of smoothie. Thirst quenchers are also available for sale. These power packed juices, not only taste great, they contain components that can help to build your immune system.
Over the past two years, Island Bowls AXA has received a favourable and supportive response from the general public for their products. Co-owner Samantha shared that, ‘We are happy to say that the biggest benefit thus far has been the support from our customers. They really like the product as well as the service and they support us by referring new persons to us. We really do care about our customers and we treat them as such. We want them to feel valued because they are.’
She went on to add that, ‘Funny enough, one of our biggest challenges is that people don’t want to inconvenience us. They say things like, “Oh, I don’t want to bother you to make it just for me.” My business is to serve you so I welcome all the calls!’ Visibility and the shipping/availability of fresh fruits is also another challenge which the duo currently face in their business venture.
No strangers to entrepreneurship, having owned and operated her own makeup and event production company prior to launching Island Bowls AXA, and her husband and co-owner Kevan, his own personal training company, Samantha shared that her top business tip for aspiring entrepreneurs is to have a contingency plan for everything. She stressed, ‘Be prepared to adjust in any situation. Don’t only think about how to make money, think about how you can better your community and fulfil your passion.’ On the best business advice they have received thus far,
“Just go for it.” We do go for it and we try to pivot where we need to in order to get over challenges. We took on a challenge launching Island Bowls AXA and I feel we have done well with it.“
Island Bowls AXA sets themselves apart from the crowd by creating their own tasty and enticing recipes. Samantha makes the granola by hand, so the flavour is difficult for competitors to replicate.
Within ten years, Island Bowls AXA hopes to have expanded their business while retaining the same friendly, welcoming environment that is has now.
Co-owner of Island Bowls AXA, Mrs. Samantha Kentish shared these final words for the general public, ‘We appreciate your support thus far and we welcome any questions or comments. We are always looking to improve and evolve.’
Island Bowls AXA is available for pick up or delivery island wide. This includes all hotels, villas, and quarantine facilities. Give them a call at 476 – 7937 /235-5051 or send them a message at islandbowlsaxa@gmail.com
Be sure to visit their website www.islandbowlsaxa.com and follow them on their socials @islandbowlsaxa.
The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACOCI) continues to offer support and valuable opportunities to its members. The Chamber of Commerce extends an invitation to all businesses and entrepreneurs to become members of ACOCI. Visit the website anguillachamber.com or call the office at 497-2839 for more information.
