Entrepreneur participates in international competition

The New Beginning Craft Workshop team, from L-R: Shirley Alexander, Mentor; Sian Jones, Mentor; John Roach, DYBT Co-ordinator; Vanessa Winston, Owner of New Beginning Gifts and Leather and TIC America finalist; Natasha Yeeloy, Mentoring Co-ordinator and Enterprise Development Officer, DYBT

Vanessa Lissa Winston has beaten off over 4,000 young entrepreneurs from 35 countries to become one of the 22 short-listed in a major international competition.

The 2012 Talent and Innovation Challenges of the Americas (TIC Americas), expected to take place in Cartagena, Colombia, is a platform of opportunities for young entrepreneurs to create and grow their business ideas. The competition goes beyond the development of a business plan to include support, follow-up and opportunities for international visibility, networking, and market access.

Through her business, New Beginning Craft Workshop, Winston is the first young Dominican entrepreneur who has gotten this far in the competition.

If successful, the New Beginning Craft Workshop will receive a trophy and cash prize of US$5,000, which would go towards the cost of running the workshop, and also lend support to the search for sponsorship and other funding sources.

New Beginning Craft Workshop is located in Roseau and aims to provide training in pottery, straw craft and craft-making using recycled materials to 36 unemployed young people on the island.

One of the special, innovative aspects of the project is that it will lead to the formation of a new co-operative of craftspeople.  Not only will this alleviate unemployment among the youth, it will also allow craftspeople to work together in order to fill the gap in the market by supplying a whole range of locally-made craft products to hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Many of these establishments tend to have large orders that cannot currently be met by the existing independent craftspeople.

Winston is a Dominica Youth Trust (DYBT) entrepreneur and the organization is excited that she has gone that far. “We are incredibly excited to announce the success of one of our entrepreneurs in this prestigious competition and are very pleased that Vanessa’s idea for a craft workshop and co-operative has achieved the international recognition it deserves.  Congratulations Vanessa!” Sian Jones, volunteer and mentor at DYBT said.

A sample workshop event is expected to take place at the training venue in Stock Farm on Thursday 22nd March, 8.30am – 1pm.

Interested persons should apply by emailing Vanessa at: [email protected] and provide the following information: name, address, date of birth, marital status, number of dependants (children or elderly family members), employment status and some brief details about why you want to take part in the training.

Space is limited to 15 persons.

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23 Comments

  1. tek
    March 20, 2012

    happy for you…………..

  2. DACPA
    March 20, 2012

    Congratulations to you Vanessa! Go for the gold!
    We are so Proud of you!
    From all DACPA members.

  3. March 20, 2012

    Why are i not supprised at your success? you are so motivated and an example to single young mothers out there.You did away with the garbbage that was hindering you and lean towards the lord,and great things are happening for you.I am so super proud of you,i can’t content myself.You are a great role model for your two beautiful daughters.I foresee greater things to come.I love you.Marron sounds great. lol Your “Aunty” :wink:

  4. DCW
    March 20, 2012

    Congratulations Lisa. Keep striving for higher heights. I know and you know that the hero lies in you!

  5. zang
    March 20, 2012

    you go girl… keep your dreams alive…u always did love a local thing

  6. Aye Dominique
    March 20, 2012

    Great, great ,great Vanessa, keep up the good work…let the sky be your limit.

  7. Anonymous
    March 20, 2012

    congratulations to you, but indeed and in truth people like shirley alexander deserve national recognition for her with young people over the years.I got to know her so many years ago through her work in 4-H while i was at primary school.(great memories)…keep it up.

  8. Hon. Norris Prevost, MP. Roseau Central
    March 20, 2012

    Dear Vanessa,

    Congratulations to Vanessa Winston and The New Beginning Craft Workshop team, on becoming one of the 22 finalist in the 2012 Talent and Innovation Challenges of the Americas (TIC Americas), expected to take place in Cartagena, Colombia, which we understand, is a platform of opportunities for young entrepreneurs to create and grow their business ideas.

    BUSINESS INCUBATOR STILL NEEDED IN ROSEAU

    The Business Incubator Model is more and more being adopted by leading business Schools, the World Bank, and Countries the World over, as one of the most successful ways to create and develop new small businesses.
    When I became MP for Roseau Central in 2005, one of the first initiatives I took,was to write to the Cabinet Ministers on behalf of RIC Inc. requesting Govt to consider the establishment of a Small Business Incubator at the Old Health Center in Roseau. After six months,none of the Ministers of Cabinet had replied. I went further and in Dec 2005, brought a Petition to Parliament, signed by over one thousand five hundred adults and young persons, mainly from the Communities around Roseau, asking Parliament to consider the establishment of the Roseau Health Center Grass Roots Business Incubator, with the goal of developing new competitive, sustainable Small business Enterprises (SMEs), and creating employment particularly for the youth, women, the poor and the disenfranchised. Unfortunately for our young entrepreneurs,the Govt voted against the Incubator Petition without even discussing it.
    I wish to again call on Govt to set up the Small Business Incubator in Roseau, to give a chance of establishment and successful development, to the hundreds of Potential Entrepreneurs like Vanessa Winston, and The New Beginning Craft Workshop.

    With the impact of globalization, CSME and the increased number of foreign businesses being set up in Roseau, The setting up of a Small Business Incubator is one sure way to nurture and give the budding Dominican Entrepreneurs a fighting chance.
    I remain committed to give my training and experience to assist with such an initiative.

    I wish Ms Winston and The New Beginning Craft Workshop success in this competition, and most importantly, I wish your Business continued success.

    Hon. Norris Prevost MP
    Roseau Central.

  9. Miss G
    March 20, 2012

    Sister Vanessa my whole body shivered at your success. I am so elated for you and it’s all because of your faith in God, yourself and those who encourage you. I know your mom is proud too, she is there for you no matter what. Give God all the praise and the honour. You must succeed, continue to pray and stay close to God.

  10. Anonymous
    March 20, 2012

    All the best, hope you win.

  11. Reader
    March 20, 2012

    Whoa!! Great going Vanessa! Continue to be an example of the entrepreneurial spirit.

  12. ebonay
    March 20, 2012

    Very proud indeed! DNO can u get some pics of her work?

  13. G
    March 20, 2012

    Great job my girl… To God be the Glory..Great things he has done and will continue to do….Go for it and keep reaching for the skies..Continue to do what you are doing as you strive for self development and development of our country on a whole…May you have further success as you take this trip to Columbia…Blessings always…The blessings of the Lord maketh rich and he adds no sorrow with it… Continue to delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart…Great job to the folks of the Youth trust who continue to inspire our youth despite the challenges being faced by them.

  14. Guy Fawkes
    March 20, 2012

    Congratulations and all the best, young lady! Here is a successful example of entrepreneurship, self employment and leadership. Lets hope that those who are always crying out for more jobs will take the initiative to participate in the DYBT training programme and create employment for themselves and others.

    Congratulations also to the DYBT team at the Youth Development Division for all the support they provide.

  15. Anonymous
    March 20, 2012

    You go Vanessa! Positive news for Dominica.

  16. ineedfree
    March 20, 2012

    go Lisa.

    All the best. we want you to succeed.

    Blessed guidance

  17. Concerned
    March 20, 2012

    Again I see Dominicans are not commenting on the positive of young persons on the island. All we indulge in is negativism. It´s a shame that no one has anything to say about the achievement of this young lady. I say hats off to you my dear and continue to uplift your country.

  18. Eternal optimist
    March 20, 2012

    Dominican Youth on Parade!! Great news for the young people of our beautiful land.

  19. Creole
    March 20, 2012

    you go cuz….blessing to you and yours..pray that your cup is overfilled with success..you deserve it..hugs

  20. Jade
    March 20, 2012

    Congrats my dear

  21. hmm
    March 20, 2012

    Congratulations and all the best to Vanessa…very determined young lady. And hats off to the Youth Division Team for not giving up.

  22. Anonymous
    March 20, 2012

    Congrats Vanessa…very determined young lady. And to the Youth Division Team, continue your good work

  23. Peeping Tom
    March 20, 2012

    Great story! Congrats.

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