Two 21-year-old men are the first ever Make Something to Sell (MSTS) Champions.
Linvor Ambo of Salisbury/ Dublanc and Kelly Registe of Grand Bay secured the top spot in the just concluded competition which saw about 10 young people taking part in the initiative.
It was held to showcase the creative and innovative skills of young and budding entrepreneurs.
Speaking to the media Ambo and Registe, who run the small business “Allorzee Business Ventures,” said that they were pleased of their acheivements.
Their product, Choco Dominique an instant cocoa powder made of local cocoa, received the award and $2,000 and also copped the Access Award and $500.
“I just feel that I achieved something great and all the hard work we did all through the months my partner and I we were able to see the reward of it and we are just very happy about it,” Ambo said.
The initiative which took place at the Roseau market began on Tuesday and ran till Thursday and those who participated were judged by a panel.
When asked about their plans, Ambo mentioned that EC$ 2500 cash injection will allow them to produce more.
“We want to distribute the product around the island to make it available to every single person in Dominica,” he said. “This will allow us to have a produce a larger stock. It’s a great help.”
The two-man team is producing from a dwelling house in Dublanc.
The two have some words young people who are thinking of becoming business owners.
“All you can really do is put all your effort into it and with all that effort it would eventually see the importance of your product and to be rewarded eventually,” Ambo stated.
Registe added, “Also don’t disregard criticism from older people. Remember to always take notes from the public and customers. Any criticism, please write it down and take it seriously.”
They both admitted that the experience was “very, very good” one and they “learnt a lot.”
The following are the other awardees.
-MT& M Variety Products (Jams and Jellies)
-Entrepreneur, Martel Daniel Won the viable business award and $1500 for Green/Environmental (Efflorescence, soaps)
-Entrepreneur, Ittha Alexander, won the Business Award and $1000 for Smunchy (Granola bars)
-Entrepreneur, Shazzie Louis and Kenna Charles, won the Young Achievers Award and $500
-Jpix photography (greeting cards)
-Entrepreneur, Jervez Jno. Baptiste, won the Young Manufacturers award and $500
Congratulations to Shazzie Louis and Kenna Charles in particular. They both graduated from secondary school this year. This goes to show that young people do not have to wait on the government for jobs. You can help yourself and even start before leaving school. Congratulations and best wishes to the other awardees as well.
This is cool!! Never heard of this competition until reading this
Congrats guys!! Encourage more youth to use our natural resources to build our economy. Lead the way to the future and self sustainability!!
congratulations to all who participated in this event. I love to see young persons with the entrepreneur spirit apply themselves and get rewarded for it. Working for yourself is so much better than working for an institution or someone else. Keep up the good work
Congrats young men, keep up the good work
Well done..keep it up guys..
Well done..keep it up…
It is time i get something natural again. I came to da on vacation, and not one bello tea or cocao i get. Went to whitchurch, looking for local tea, i seeing a set of chinese tea and other imported teas. I was so upset. Making matters worst, i call bello and those people telling me they haven’t got cacao so no products. This is what dominica has become; an artificial flavour!