On Thursday November 17 2011 the Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) opened their doors to allow us the general public to to see first-hand the various young Dominican entrepreneurs who have taken the great initiative and risk into the unpredictable world of small business.
The event, which was held under the ministerial building, would appear to anyone with an international, pessimistic or close minded eye to be at best mediocre and to some extent do I agree with that sentiment. After all something as important as the newest benefactors to the Dominican economy as well as using them to encourage the would be future entrepreneurs I imagine deserves a bigger stage. Regardless, to those who did come to the expo with an open mind can attest to the fact that we do have some really hard working and talented people in our country and that maybe just maybe there is hope for the future that is painted so bleak by many.
The businesses that were on display included Cheuro’s and Beluga’s Bar and Grill, New beginning gifts and leathers, Tranquil Heaven, Jolly’s Cakes and Pastries Plus, Third Wheel Beverage Co., Heaven Scent, Olive’s Bag That Style, Craft Art1, Nature Land Foods, Islanders Art Workshop, Rootz Herbal, Divine Debora’s Design, I & R’s Snackette, The Dominica Community Highschoold Star Products Groups and Strictly Itals.
On entry the first thing you would notice would probably be Tranquil Heaven’s tent stand where they were offering their advertising and performing their bodily treatments and were easily the most impressive business present, presentation wise anyway. If there was another stand that caught my attention however it would have to be Heaven Scent who offer a product line of soaps that are not only produced right here in Dominica but are made from all natural Dominican ingredients such as the Glorcida, Coconut and Noni plants.
Other than those two one might say that the other stalls were “typical” businesses you would expect to find in our country such as crafts, herbal remedies, clothing designs and of course food and beverages but I think each entrepreneur tried their very best to add some unique quality to their business. But the most important thing about the expo was that all the entrepreneurs were friendly and were more than willing to explain the workings of their business to the college students that visited the expo and answer all our questions with a smile.
As a youth of this country we applaud the DYBT’s incentive towards the development of small business in Dominica regardless of how small it may seem in the eyes of some. My only wish is that more people saw for themselves the good things their people are doing in this country.
Good luck to the young entrepreneurs. It is a start to better things in the future.
Yes! Firstly, start small and then expand. This is how the majority of businesses commenced in DA. Sometime ago I had such a conversation with a friend about some people who came to DA and would go door to door to sell their items and then became prominent and successful business people.
Everything takes time, patience and perseverance. I wish you all the best.
I noticed the word “Noni”. It is a plant. I saw an advertisement on TV for Noni drink (if I am not mistaken) which has health benefits. It is usually advertised very early in the morning. If I do see it again I must listen intently.
good job guys….this is a very good piece of critical analysis… big up and bless up
As a small business owner myself I wish them all the very best in this incredibly harsh economic situation. The most important thing to note is that
a. All local work, something we should be proud of and support, buy local when you can.
b. NONE of it say made in China.
I would say make all your product export ready, we live in a small pool here, if you want to do anything of note, look regionally and use your friends and family abroad to try and get a market elsewhere. But maintain or improve your standards and think long term