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A decade ago, Gayan Grant was introduced to the community of Barking Lodge by her babyfather.

She left everything behind where she grew up and decided to start anew with a family of her own.

When she arrived, she had nothing but experience in selling, as her parents had been shopkeepers. In Barking Lodge, she started selling a few items, which she would lay out on a piece of board.

Neighbours and other persons who bought from her constantly encouraged her to expand her reach and start selling in a shop.

She listened to that encouragement and went in search of a shop where she could sell more items. Very quickly, she found a shop at Barking Lodge square that she soon leased.

She quickly upgraded to a whole shop filled with goodies to satisfy her customers and help take care of her family.

People encourage me

"I grew up seeing my mummy and daddy doing a small shop and I started one in Leith Hall where I lived before I came here. When I started out, I had a shelf at the front of my house. People encourage me to look around for a shop which I did," she said.

Within months, Grant's place became the go-to shop, where people could get anything they desired. Grant sells food, clothing, hair products, and household items among many other things.

For her, it is a pleasure helping people in any way she can so they can cut their travel time down.

"I try to be the one-stop shop where people can get anything they want and they don't have to come out of the community. We work with the community members and whatever they ask for, we jot it down so when we go in town, we can buy it and carry it back," she said.

Grant said that the people in the community have helped to get her where she is and as such, she is willing to please them with good service.