Local honey, in a beer bottle covered with a cork, standing shamelessly next to a foreign, well branded, bottle of honey, was what caught her eye and inspired Imanuelle Andrew to begin thinking.
And just one year later, after some thought and much determination, she shared her story at the 9th graduation ceremony of Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) and Youth Division leadership training program at the Arawak House of Culture on Wednesday.
“A business idea came to me one day while doing my regular shopping at a supermarket in Roseau. That day I saw a bottle of Jamaican honey standing tall and handsome, well labeled, packaged and branded, standing next to a bottle of Dominican honey in a beer bottle with a label stuck by glue and covered by a cork. I thought to myself ‘hmm… in 2012?’ and I asked myself when will I see Dominican products looking so high class on shelves in the other Caribbean countries? I decided to make that my business,” she said.
Andrew said she remembered sitting with a friend and explaining to him her interest, her lack of collateral to access funds, her inability to write a business plan and how slight doubts hindered her progress to get a kick start.
“He said to me in three sentences, Girl there is only one solution to your problem. Go down to the Youth Division and tell them you want to register for the entrepreneurship program. Girl you doh know you will get EC$ 20,000?”
She admitted that at the sound of the money, her ‘head started swelling’ and she was at the Youth Division the following day where she promptly signed up for the course.
She also was persistent and “prayed about it every day and even called a few times because I wanted to get on board,” Andrew related. “And by the way, I also learnt I wasn’t getting EC$20,000 just like that eh?” she joked.
The Dominica Youth Business Trust, Andrew revealed, “has unburied a new me that was hidden inside but actually unknown to me. My business mind has sharpened significantly … realized I was entering a hostile business world totally unprepared”.
She said the DYBT experience saved her from learning the “extremely hard way”. “You (DYBT) have taught me that everything happens with time and though I hear this every day, I have truly experienced that patience is a virtue,” she stated.
The entrepreneur says she now has a clear idea what a small business is.
“Imagine I was wrong about that…I have developed essential marketing skills. I never thought I could write my own business plan, but look at me today, I’m here because I did it!,” she exclaimed.
With knowledge of techniques on how to access funds and the importance of a market survey among so many others which would take “till morning if I have to continue,” Andrew now has a business called On Point Marketing Solutions. According to her, it’s a cost effective one- stop-shop for all marketing needs and provides printing services, packaging supplies, standardized labels, websites, logos, graphics and other products and services.
On Point Marketing Solutions focuses on product development to ensure that every product processed in Dominica will eventually be ready for the regional and international market, with top quality packaging labels, Andrew stated.
“On point marketing will find markets for these products as long as they are suitable,” she emphasized.
A grateful Imanuelle Andrew recognized the support of the commonwealth youth program, the government of Dominica, USAID, Youth business international, OAS, the financial institutions and private sector to the DYBT and commended its mentorship program whereby mentors are assigned to new entrepreneurs to help them build and grow their businesses.
“This program will help the other participants and me to keep in line and to always have a quick referral for advice in running our businesses,” she affirmed.
No doubt that packaging is important. There are many times I go to the store, and my children want to try something because of the packaging – although I often tell them is what is inside, but the product has to catch your attention, especially a new product. Even established product needs to standout. I think this a a good initiative, and I wish the young lady’s company much success.
Way to go Mano, I am proud of you. Always know you are a go-getter. Got your mom traits girl. Continue to be positive. We need some more young people to have that positive attitude.
I am so proud of you young lady. Kepp reaching for the stars and you will achieve.
LIKE MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER , A REAL GO GETTER!!
all of the Andrew siblings are entrepreneurs…and destined for success in all the avenues they are interested in and excel at. Great work Mano!
Congrats Mano. I had the pleasure in speaking with this young lady recently and was very impressed with her can-do attitude: something that is becoming sort of a lost art with our current younger generation. Continue to strive for development my dear. There will be good days and there will be hard days. The current business environment is not perfect but keep working hard. Wish you lots of luck and I will support your initiatives in whatever limited capacity that I may be able to assist from time to time.
Great effort, well done
I love this story sooooo much …. Don’t know how and why persons can find a way to add or include negative comments to this story. Girl may God bless and continue to guide and lead you in all you do…. I am inspired !
A great mind… start somewhere and persevere. An example that many could follow. All the best; your business idea is excellent and you will do well.
Simply subtract the naysayers my child 
Very inspiring story!
She has captured a niche, which imho, is badly needed in DA.
I, together with my husband, have established a business. I had no idea really, as my professional background is theraphy. However, in some way, the skills that I use are transferable. Nonetheless, she has zoomed on a few qualities for starting a business, and as a youth, I commend her on this.
Way to go girl. Keep up that entrepreneurial spirit. We need more young women (and men) like you in Dominica.
It’s hopeless to complain that things are hard in Dominica, but yet most people who run to America , Antigua ,st. Martin, st Thomas and other countries don’t find it any easier, as a matter of fact, their situation seem much worse than being at home. Folks remember its we the people and not the government that’s responsible for our country’s development ask folks like the astaphans nassifs etc and they will tell you “It’s You” so young “Andrew” lady I applaud your initiative and concourse to think above the rest , it’s people like you we need and Not these lazy bastards who sit by idly and complain.
I live in Texas but I’m preparing to do business that will create employment in my country Dominica. I’ve got a business of my own in Texas and its not easy but you’ve got to strive.
May The Lord continue to bless every hard working minds in Dominica
Today there are many more opportunities in Dominica than previously which everyone especially the youths, after graduating from school, should undertake necessary available courses.
Good luck to you Imanuelle. You have the aptitude and determination. I wish you continued success.
With all the training and financial resources she eventually acquired, was she able to produce an improved package for that honey in the beer bottle and consequently was able to make the local honey more presentable on the local and international markets? If this was achieved i would expect more revenue for the Bee Keepers and greater export sales for the country. Frankly I thought this young lady would have gone in the Marketing of Honey and make a success of this brilliant idea.
Dear DNO; how does dressing up a product improve its quality?
The dressing up is costly so the consumer will be forced to pay more for the same amount of product.
Then remember those who collect and sell the traditional bottles will lose their business…
Look at it all over the world people are looking for cheaper packaging just check the plastic bags we get at supermarkets. Thank you
If you don’t dress it up, no one will notice it. Product quality should be a given. One does not have to preclude the other.
Way to go young lady. I admire your spirit. These are the people I live to read about, not every Tom, Dick and Harry who gets an academic certificate. We need more people who take the entrepreneurial initiative. These are the people who will propel Dominica forward.
Well, well, well, where ignorance is bliss it is folly to be wise. It is a well known fact that modern day marketing requires international standards for packaging and labelling of products. If you want your product to remain on your shelf, then the beer bottle with the label stock with glue and written with a pencil is good. But if you want to be competitive on the local and regional market then one must upgrade.
Well done young lady, show the rest of the world that we can bat on the same playing field like the rest of them.
Are you kidding me?? did you think before commenting?
But certainly not a cork-covered beer bottle with honey. Who would purchase that? I would not.
Attractiveness is what catches the eyes of customers and cause them to purchase the products. This is how it is done in progressive countries, attractive advertising. It is a ploy. Have you not noted the Ads on especially TV and on the Internet?
what year u living in nah
I cant believe I am reading such a comment, let me respond to you with a question. I will assume that you are a lady. You are interested in a relationship and you are silently scouting for the right partner. You start considering two men, both handsome but one dressed semi formal and seems pleasant the other is unkempt but he makes you laugh a lot. you cannot tell which man will treat you better or provide for you but u have to make a choice. You cant see their hearts just their appearance. tell me which of the two would you be inclined to start a friendship with? Remember the fact that one is always well turned out does not mean he is a better man for you and the fact that the other seem to be always scruffy does not mean that he does not have what it takes to make you complete. BUT the question is from the outside, which of the two would you be more inclined to go out on a date with??? After you have answered this question you need to make another comment withdrawing this one ok.
Here we go again.. NEGATIVE! NEGATIVE! NEGATIVE!
Why not say how proud you are of her for trying to inspire others. If you want to compete on the global market that’s the way to go.
So you go girl. Extemely proud of you.
Quality is the group of features and characteristics of a saleable good which determine its desirability. In our competitive world today, consumer acceptability must precede quality.
Regardless of how good your product is, it must look good so people will want to try it. Consumers will be apt to purchase your honey if it is packaged and labeled properly, but if it tastes like crap, you will go out of business.
You say “those who collect and sell the traditional bottles will lose their business.” I say they will have to learn to do something new like working on a label production line. A good Samaritan is a bad economist.
“All over the world people are looking for cheaper packaging.” That’s why bar codes and other smartphone scannable means of product information are prevalent.
You’re welcome.
Well packaging does make a huge difference, if ffor no other reason that the eye is always drawn to the most aesthetically appealing. That is why there are shows like Ms. Dominica and Ms. World etc. but that aside, I was more interested in the outcome of the honey bottle transformation, if indeed there was one. I think using the beer bottle is excellent if well sterilized. There is also a way to use the cork with a seal that is great and appealing. The label can be eye catching. It can all be worked out with little additional cost. I’m just interested in whether anything has been done to repackage the honey in those beer bottles.
You obviously dont know anything about marketing a product. PAckaging acttracts the eye and obvious gets consumers to pay. She just started the business so how do you expect to get a before and after story to show how her company has assisted with the growth of sales of a product. You comment makes no damn sense.
I’d be more impressed if I could have gotten a few ‘before’ and ‘after’ stories with the focus being on the different business’ annual net profits.
Nice packaging and thrills and sparkles are all well and good but if it doesn’t translate into additional sales then it’s pointless.
This is your opinion which may not be totally correct. Did you not read the article and her outline of her business venture and undertaking? Is this not clear to you? She is well on her way to progress and success, if not already.
Attractiveness and quality of product go hand in hand. Even though the product is edible and the onus is on “buy local”, the days of poor packaging are gone. If I saw such a package, I would bypass the product, whatever is in it.
The Jamaica bottle of honey would obviously be sold faster than the cork-covered beer bottle of honey. Utilize your common sense.
Nobody is in business just for good looks. The bottom line of business is making the dollar. And if it’s taking dollars more than making dollars, then it’s not making sense.
Try telling your investors (or the bank)how ‘pretty’ your packaging is. See how far that will get you. That is just the brutal truth.
The overseas market(Us Canada) calls for making products attractive to the consumer.
That is encouraging! It shows that the future of the country is not with Government but with the people. I wish her much success!
You reside in Toronto? What type of comment and error is this? Your comment is biased. I am convinced that some of you do not think prior to writing and sending your comments to this Website.
Where do you think the money came from to assist her? Who allowed her to receive it?
You are ignoring that the money first goes to the government for the Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) and Youth Division leadership training program and that the government dispenses it accordingly. The people would not receive it otherwise, to enroll in the course, study for it and to eventually start-up their business. Think before you write.
You make it sound like government is the only possible sponsor for startup incubators, and that’s demonstrably untrue.
wow! wow! wow! go girl. who say you can’t make it in a competitive world market? Let success be your moto and sure like others you can eat from the plate of success using the same knives that others used.they started somewhere and look at them so don,t be afraid. bring the honey supplies.
thats great proud of you all keep it up
Great inspiration young lady, show the young people that there are many opportunities out there. Tell those who say that there are no employment or Government is not providing jobs, that they can do for themselves. Way to go.
that’s a great initiative…. i love it and may seek more information on any other upcoming trainings
Wow, that’s great stuff, I was in Dominica recently and was invited to the graduation ceremony, unfortunately I could not attend, but it always makes me feel proud when young people are inspired. Keep up the good work.