Justina and Max are a husband-and-wife team driven by the same values and business acumen. Since starting their first business in early 2013, they have worked closely and collaboratively. They have gone forward together from strength to strength. So, here is their founders’ story.
Justina has a long history of working within the criminal justice system, youth work and community leadership.
“It would be fair to say that I had a troubled past, and the only way I knew to survive as a 14-year-old girl with no home structure was petty crime but I knew even back then, I was better than this!”
Referred to a local youth organisation by her school, Justina was given a mentor who saw the good in her. The mentor managed to move Justina aged 16 with her baby to a permanent accommodation. At 18 she returned to the youth project. She became a mentor looking after other young people and supporting positive change. She got a full-time paid job there and her journey began.
Then, Justina was headhunted by the Race Equality Foundation. She worked in schools delivering a youth programme she herself created. At 21 Justina became a Probation Officer. She has amassed huge experience in drugs and alcohol teams, housing, offender management, youth work and community leadership.
Max also grew up in the same area as Justina. He had a similar experience in his childhood years. Petty crime was a means of survival. Coming through the other side, Max worked in retail for much of his 20’s. He already had an eye for business and was looking at a way to go forward and realise his dream.
So, in 2012, they both quit their 9 to 5. With the little savings they had, they opened up Rock it Wild – an online clothing store. It gave them great business experience and they moved on to their next venture in their founders’ story – Max’s Caribbean Kitchen.
It progressed from a small shop in Hackney in 2014 to a food van, then to a restaurant in Bexleyheath. It’s now got a great home in Dartford. The business is thriving, and has also given Max an opportunity to mentor people.
“I chose to take on young people to offer them the opportunity of gaining experience to help them learn and grow. We are a family business, so when you come through my door, you are family.”
More recently, Justina set up the DACC ‘Dartford African Caribbean Community’. This is a support group for black & mixed-race people living in Dartford, Kent.
Just like in 2012, the journey is still about driving change and helping those around them. That flame burns as brightly as ever.
So now, My Cultural Experience has been created and the founders’ story continues. Founded on the principles of respecting and understanding one another’s values and taking responsibility for your actions, My Cultural Experience seeks to support positive change in the workplace. This is achieved though truly interactive and engaging diversity and inclusion training.
“Throughout our journey, we’ve got married, had 5 children, built businesses and have supported friends, family and our local community in any way we can. We would love our legacy to impact as many people as possible, changing perceptions and making generational change. Both of us hope you follow our journey so you can also support change.
We hope you enjoy your experience”.
© 2022 My Cultural Experience
