TrueHaven: Guyana’s growing benefits network

A job interview that ended abruptly became the catalyst for a business venture that is now connecting consumers with dozens of businesses across Georgetown while helping members save money.

Jermaine Lawrence, co-founder of True Haven, said the idea for the company emerged after an interview experience that left him questioning whether traditional employment was the right path for him.

“I went to an interview and while I was introducing myself, the interviewer took a phone call and told me to keep talking,” Lawrence recalled. “I didn’t appreciate that. I felt if that’s how you treat people from the beginning, it says a lot about the environment.”

The experience prompted him to revisit a business concept he had previously developed. By the next day, he had begun laying the foundation for what would become True Haven.

Today, True Haven operates as a benefits network that partners with more than 50 businesses, allowing members to access discounts of up to 20 percent across a wide range of services.

The network includes gyms, salons, spas, laundromats, retail stores, Airbnb operators, therapists, tour companies and recreational businesses offering activities such as ATV rides, bicycle tours and paintball experiences.

“We’re really helping people discover businesses while saving money at the same time,” Lawrence explained.

For businesses, joining the platform is free. In exchange, partner businesses provide discounts to members. Lawrence said the company carefully manages its network to avoid oversaturating specific sectors with competitors, ensuring that participating businesses benefit from increased customer traffic.

“The goal is to drive more foot traffic to our partners so they can comfortably offer discounts without significantly affecting their margins,” he said.

The business has also evolved technologically. Initially, members received physical cards with handwritten names attached. Unsatisfied with the limitations of the system, Lawrence taught himself how to build both a website and a mobile application.

The digital platform now allows members to locate partner businesses, communicate directly with them and manage their memberships more efficiently.

Despite concerns that some Guyanese may be hesitant to adopt new technology, Lawrence believes the country’s growing embrace of digital solutions creates an ideal environment for platforms like True Haven.

“I think people are ready for it,” he said. “Guyana has come a long way in the last few years, and I believe we need more entrepreneurs who are willing to introduce digital systems and innovations.”

Looking ahead, Lawrence hopes to expand the platform beyond Georgetown and eventually throughout the Caribbean.

“My goal is to scale this business across different regions of Guyana and eventually take it across the Caribbean,” he said.

He is also encouraging more businesses to join the network, particularly larger retailers and supermarkets, arguing that the platform can help ease some of the financial pressures many consumers face.

“People everywhere are talking about the cost of living,” Lawrence noted. “If you can give people an easy way to save money while also encouraging self-care and healthy living, that’s something valuable.”

Memberships are available through the company’s website and app, with options for individual sign-ups as well as corporate packages designed for businesses seeking to offer benefits to employees.

For Lawrence, the venture represents more than just a business opportunity. It is proof that setbacks can become stepping stones.

What began as a disappointing job interview has evolved into a growing platform aimed at helping Guyanese consumers stretch their dollars while supporting local businesses.