Local entrepreneurs ‘surprised’ by regional award

Capturing a regional award for the first time came as a “surprise” to members of popular local business 365|MMP (Media, Marketing & Production), according to its co-owner, Elias Dupuis.

The company, which has gained popularity in Dominica for its photography, grabbed the “Regional Technology Entrepreneur of the Year 2015” award at the Caribbean Youth Summit held in Barbados from September 23 to 26. Another local entrepreneur, Graceson John, 26, of Delices who is known for the manufacturing of Big G’s Pepper Sauce, captured the “Caribbean Regional Start-Up Young Entrepreneur Award” at the event.

“The award came as a surprise,” Dupuis told Dominica News Online on Monday.

Although the award was the company’s first regional one, it was not its first. “It was actually our second award; the first award we won was the Elias Nassief Entrepreneurs of the Year which is a local award in 2013,” he explained.

Dupuis, who spoke on behalf of business partners Tridel Edwin and Kareem Fabien, is confident that the company has done a good job five years after its establishment.

“I think we have done a good job establishing ourselves as a good company in Dominica…in terms of photography I think we are pretty much ahead of the game in that aspect and we want to strive to do the same thing in other places,” he stated. “We have done well in establishing ourselves.”

In the not so distant future Dupuis wants to see the business expand, even on a regional basis.

“Our aim right now is expansion; we want to make our company bigger and be able to provide services to a much larger market,” he noted. “Our photography is the thing we are most popular for and we have been able to bring along our graphic designs and videography… as of right now we are thinking of regional, the countries of the OECS then to the wider CARICOM.”

Dupuis advise young entrepreneurs that once a business idea is established, “give it a go.”

“A lot of time we think that we really need a lot of money or any money at all we need to start and the truth is sometimes you can just start,” he said. “It’s easier to get persons to join you in a movement than for people to have to start the movement for you… if you are thinking about it just give it a shot, give it a go…”