HE IS AWARE that people see him as the “nut seller” or “snack man” from whom they can stop and buy a drink throughout the day or purchase a bag of nuts to munch on while in bumper-to-bumper traffic on evenings.
But to him, he is the businessman on Halls Road, who was placed there by God to inspire, encourage and touch the lives of those he comes into contact with.
Thirty-four-year-old David Frere, who sells snacks, nuts and fruits, told the DAILY NATION that God gave him the vision to start his business, with the intention that he must not only make a living but also minister to as many souls as possible.
“It is through the Lord that I have this business, not through myself. I started selling baked nuts and then I moved onto selling salted nuts.
“I see this business on this road as a stepping stone for me to encourage people to even start one of these businesses, and to encourage them to know Jesus,
“The same thing that He did for me, He will also do for them. People encouraged me left, right, crossway and centre. They tell me that they are glad to see I’m here and that they hope I continue doing what I’m doing.
“And I myself have never seen anything like it, because when I was younger I used to go and buy these same things. The few years I have been here have been awesome and a thrill,” said Frere.
This Monday Man, who has been an entrepreneur for the past two years, noted that his business was not one to generate “millions of dollars” at the end of the year. Nevertheless, he takes time out to teach individuals, especially youths, how to play the game.
“Since I was here a lot of people came through and they get to know how to run the business, and most of them are young people. I teach them what to do [and] when to do things.
“I advise them that when you start small, it must get big unless something drastic happens and change your plans, and even then if you stand by God He will be there for you.
“You must be patient and understand that you have to be focused.
Do not focus on the wrong things, focus on the right things so that your business, even if it’s selling nuts, will be prosperous,” he advised.
And the “nut seller” made it quite clear that when you are operating a business such as his, your eyes must always be open.
“You have to look out for everything because anything can happen.
For me, if somebody steals something from me, I’m not going to shut my mouth. I am going to let them know that I saw them and then I am going to talk to them.
“Then I turn around and give what they intended to steal to them, and I might even give them extra to share with a friend,” he said.
Frere said he always satisfied his customers because of his “special calling from God”.
He does not feel like a successful businessman unless he is able to inspire at least one customer a day.
“Many people stop to buy something and I am led by the Holy Spirit to ask them how they are doing today. Some people start pouring out their hearts and I encourage them to go on and not
to give up.
“Some of them come back and thank me for guiding and talking to them in their time of need. But I let them know that it’s all about Jesus. He’s the way, the truth and the life.”
And when children come running his way, this Halls Road resident, whose house was recently destroyed by Tropical Storm Tomas, always has something extra to give them with their snacks.
“The children come to me because I have the snacks. When they come to me, they learn not to lie, steal, curse . . . . I love to encourage children and to show them the way God wants them to go.”
“I try to teach them great morals and values because not every child walking the street has someone to point them in the right direction.
“Then, there are some children living in homes where they hear little or nothing about God, but I make it my duty to tell them about Him,” said the devout Christian.
