The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

ACTING on her father’s advice to strive to one day become an entrepreneur, Kaja Jones holds a steady 9 to 5, but at the same time is relentlessly working to build her brand of tropical drinks she calls Flavaz.

Her father, Keith Jones, always told her, “You don’t want to work for people your whole life because you won’t enjoy life.” This was something that has stuck with her.

Today, Kaja, with the help of her father, as well as her boyfriend and business partner, Rio Johnson, is working to make her dream a reality.

Located on Carmichael Road and open every Friday to Sunday from 12noon to 7pm, the Jonny Cake’s Flavaz stall offers an assortment of jelly juice (sky juice), tropical drinks and beer, as well as some food selections. Their signature drinks are called “Sweetheart”, “It Is What It Is” and “Sell Me A Dream”.

Kaja is certain that it is the only place in town where locals and tourists can get a 20-ounce cup of their jelly juice of choice for just $5, leaded or unleaded.

“Rio came up with the idea for Flavaz and I came up with the idea to have different flavours for the jelly juice. Not only do we have the regular jelly juice, we have chocolate and strawberry. We want to give Carmichael Road and all of Nassau a familiar treat with a twist. It’s just like sky juice, but its sweeter and better; it’s a cup of paradise,” said Kaja.

At the moment, Flavaz offers food only during the weekends, but Kaja said once established, the hope is to open at a larger venue where she can add a little more to the menu.

“We’re striving to be different and we want people to feel like they are at a party every time they come to Flavaz,” she said.

Working at a banking establishment for the past four years, Kaja said one of the benefits of her job includes learning how to manage her finances properly and how to focus more on her needs rather than her wants.

“I work at a bank to take care of myself and my business. When you work for your money instead of getting handouts you tend to appreciate everything you are blessed with. I give all the glory to God. Without him giving me my job, I’d have nothing and my dreams would just be words,” said Kaja.

The 23-year-old’s goal is to take on many more independent business ventures once she has done everything in her power to make Flavaz what she and her partner initially envisioned.

Her mother, Kim Howell, she said, is one of the biggest influences in her life. Kaja said she admires her mother’s strength and willpower.

“I never saw my mom give up on providing for me. I have always lived above average and she made sure of that. I’m going to be a millionaire someday and she will be able to quit her job and live anywhere in the world. She will always be my number one motivator and supporter,” she said.

Kaja is also looking forward to making Flavaz an indoor/outdoor lounge with a hookah bar.

“My partner and I are both 23 and we are new to the industry, but we know what we are doing. Eventually we want to be able to give back to the community during back-to-school, holidays, and just because we love our people. We cater to Bahamians,” she said.