Young Caribbean entrepreneurs urged to stare down obstacles
Loading article...
-
From left: Rochelle Daley, resident advisor at Rex Nettleford Hall; Michael Mullings, keynote speaker and CEO of Chatflow; Sandrene McKenzie, CEO of San’script; and Khalia King, owner of Elethia Creative, in dialogue at Rex Nettleford Hall’s business expo on February 25.
-
Simone Rowe, make-up artist at Sim Touches, does the make-up of Tianna Scarlett, first year international relations student, at Rex Nettleford Hall’s business expo held on Wednesday.
-
Marissa Persuad (second left) of Nails by Rissa shows off her nails to (from left) hall advisers Aundreen Leslie, Alanda Andrews, and Thoneisa Jarrett at the expo.
Young Caribbean entrepreneurs are being urged not to fear the challenges in the region but, instead, to use those obstacles to find innovative solutions to problems.
The call was made on Wednesday by artificial intelligence (AI) business operator Michael Mullings, guest speaker at this year’s Rex Nettleford Hall Entrepreneurship/Business Showcase at The University of the West Indies, Mona.
The event was held as part of Rex Nettleford Hall Week, a celebration of Professor Ralston Nettleford’s contribution to regional academia, cultural history, and philosophy. It featured displays from 19 entrepreneurs from the hall, all vying for the top prize of a $50,000 tuition grant.
In the end, Domonic Bent, originator of Bent Dealz JA, which offers electronic items, miniature air-conditioning units, drones, and more, won the top prize.
Chrisann Francis, owner of Nature’s Golden Essence, which makes and sells organic wellness items, won second place and was awarded a cash prize of $20,000 from the GK Foundation.
Third place and Best Booth were awarded to Khalia King, creator of Elethia Creative, a graphic design and consultancy business. She received gift baskets from Appleton Estate and Brunswick for Best Booth.
The Crowd Favourite award went to Yaad Fruits, owned by J’nelle McCalla, who cultivates and imports fruits for sale.
“I know that as Caribbean entrepreneurs, there is a narrative that we are behind – that we are too small and we don’t have the same opportunities as other markets. I want to challenge that. We are not behind, we are not late, and, most importantly, we are not underqualified,” charged Mullings, curator of Chatflow AI, a customer service business that uses AI to improve real-time connections between modern businesses and their clients.
Mullings, a past student of the university who was assigned to Rex Nettleford Hall, said, “Being invited back to speak to you students feels like a full-circle moment ... . Entrepreneurship is not something reserved for a special group of people. It is a mindset that can be cultivated and developed.
“We operate in an environment that demands creativity, resilience, and adaptability. Those are not weaknesses. Those are advantages. They are our unfair advantages, and we should press them. Don’t underestimate what you bring to the table,” he stressed, listing courage, along with vision, value, discipline, and using failure as data rather than defeat as being at the core of Caribbean entrepreneurial success.
‘Celebrating students’
Rochelle Daley, senior resident and coordinator of Wednesday’s event, explained that the week’s activities are geared at “celebrating the students and showcasing what they are doing apart from academia.
“We got more participants this year than at last year’s first staging, and we were able to give more prizes because we had more sponsors. This year, more than 200 persons voted – though not everyone participated – so that was really exciting for us. Next year, we are hoping to have more entrepreneurs participating and more sponsorships as well.”
On Wednesday night, second-year accounting student Bent beamed with pride as he was awarded the top prize. For him, it was the culmination of months of hard work.
“I feel great knowing that my hard work paid off. I got to promote my business, and I gained more customers and potential customers. I sell electronics and accessories, and for anyone who wants similar products from overseas, I can source them as well. My hope is to one day get a physical location in Kingston. So far, it is only online,” he said.
Second-place Francis, a first-year tourism management student, said her vision is to one day own a store that doubles as a museum on herbal products and remedies. Her business, Nature’s Golden Essence, started after her homemade hair remedies were a hit with her teachers at Ardenne High School.
“When you go to a museum, you see artefacts – things being showcased that make the time we are in now what it is. I want that to be the effect my customers and clients have when they enter my business. So you are not only going to come and buy a product. You are also going to gain knowledge of the different herbs and even touch them,” she said.
corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com