Spotlight on Youth Businesses at Entrepreneurship Expo
My Anguilla Experience participated in one of the first Entrepreneurship Expo’s a few years ago. It was a fun and learning experience and we truly enjoyed pitching our business concept to the judges.
My Anguilla Experience at Entrepreneur Expo 2014
I attended the 2016 Expo which was held at the Teacher’s Resource Centre. I saw some of the entrepreneurs who participated in the expo a few years earlier. It was clear that their ideas had evolved and businesses had grown since then. I was looking forward to hearing the business pitches from the participating entrepreneurs in 2016’s Expo.
The Entrepreneurship Expo is a collaborative effort between the Department of Youth and Culture and Catapulted Conference. The main purpose of the event was to display and promote the ideas and businesses of young entrepreneurs on Anguilla, who are clients of the Anguilla GET SET Entrepreneurial Programme.
Senior Youth Officer DYC and President of ANYC
Audience at Expo
Anguilla GET SET Entrepreneurial Programme targets young people living in Anguilla between the age of 18-35 years who are desirous of owning their own business or receiving financial assistance towards an existing business. The programme is made possible through the support of the Government of Anguilla (Department of Youth and Culture). The programme is designed to create a culture of entrepreneurship in Anguilla among young people and to facilitate the establishment of youth run businesses on Anguilla.
The Department of Youth and Culture organises and contributes to a large number of youth and culture based events throughout the year. The Get Set Programme is a great initiative for aspiring and present entrepreneurs. You can apply for the programme through the Department of Youth and Culture.
The feature address was delivered by Mr. Austin “Bennie” Connor who is a local entrepreneur and businessman. Mr. Connor shared some of his experiences over the decades of being an entrepreneur. He clearly demonstrated the importance of faith and perseverance on the entrepreneurship journey.
The entrepreneurs had five minutes each to make a visual and oral presentation on their business. Large cash prizes were at stake. Many of them stepped up to the challenge and impressed the judges and the audience as they demonstrated their business project and spoke about the various aspects of their businesses. All of the awards presented in this segment were sponsored by Digicel.
Samples of Displays
Royal Party Rentals
Branches of Learning Display
Confetti Dust Studio
Swimsuits by Donnilia
Artsy Crafters
The judges for this segment were Mrs. Althea Hodge (Director of the Anguilla Development Board), Mr. Kenroy Herbert (Owner of Leviticus Lifestyle and Travel) and Mr. Daryl Thompson (Manager and Creative Designer of Alloyds Enterprises).
Winners of prizes at entrepreneurship Expo sponsored by Digicel
New Entrepreneur Award – Mr. Jibri Lewis and Keanu Belle joint owners of Affix
Best Business Display Award – Mrs. Njeri Richardson-Carty, owner of Branches of Learning
Most Original Business Idea Awards – Mrs. Njeri Richardson-Carty, owner of Branches of Learning
New Entrepreneur Award presented to Affix (Jibri Lewis and Keanu Belle) sponsored by Digicel
Njeri Richardson Carty – Branches of Learning
For the first time since the inception of the Entrepreneur Expo, three additional awards were available. The first was the Business Plan Innovation Award which is a contribution of XCD$5000.00 towards the award recipient. This award was sponsored by The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The other two awards were Merit Awards which were sponsored by The Government of Anguilla in the amount of XCD$1000.00 each. The funds received by winners should be used towards the development of the winning businesses.
The winners of the awards were selected by the Credit Sub-Committee of the Anguilla GET SET Entrepreneurial Programme. The winners of this segment were:
Winner of Prize sponsored by Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACOCI)
Business Plan Innovation Award – Mrs. Njeri Richardson Carty , Owner of Branches of Learning
Njeri Richardson Carty – Branches of Learning – Business Plan Innovation Award sponsored by ACOCI
Winners of Prizes sponsored by Government of Anguilla
Merit Award – Mrs. Twyla Richardson Thomas and Ms. Latoya Scarbro of Confetti Dust Studio
Director DYC presenting award/certificate to Twyla Richardson Thomas – Confetti Dust Studio
Merit Award – Ms. Shanicia Richardson of Golden Eggs Farm
Shanicia Richardson of Golden Eggs Farms
The other participants in this year’s Expo were:
Ms. Melissa Hamm, owner of Artsy Crafter
Ms. Roshima Parker, owner of Royal Party Rentals
Mr. Darren Lewis, owner of Just Imagine (local jewelry and craft supplies)
Ms. Melisse Jennings, owner of Event in a Box
Ms. Donnilia Reid, swimsuit and fashion designer
Ms. Tamika Richardson, owner of Busy Bee Concierge Services
Do support the upcoming DYC Business Symposium which is scheduled to be held on April 08th, 2017.
Anguilla has many entrepreneurs. Support their businesses. Let’s always remember to encourage, support and build each other.
Check out the Department of Youth and Culture to find out how they can support your efforts as an entrepreneur.
Upcoming DYC Events (Save the Dates)
Managing Innovation Training – Feb 9 & 10 (Collaboration between ADB, DYC and COSME)
Business Symposium – April 08, 2017
Do also check out our last post on DYC’s National Arts and Culture Awards which is held annually in December.
Do follow My Anguilla Experience on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with Anguilla!
Remember to pursue what really matters!
xoxo…Shelly
