Young entrepreneurs show off their goods and services

By Anesta Henry

A group of young people recently grasped the opportunity to advertise their small businesses to shoppers at Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall. Participants of the Barbados

Entrepreneurship Foundation’s (BEF) $20 Challenge, organised in collaboration with the Optimist Clubs of Barbados, hosted a Pop-Up Marketplace to market their products and services to the public.

The young men and women got an insight of what it feels like to market their personal care, arts and craft, baked goods, and jewelry businesses, among other areas. The participants started their businesses from just $20 and pooled their resources to ensure that their endeavours were successful.

Executive Chairman of the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation Celeste Foster said this was the first time the summer challenge was being held for junior members of the Optimist Club. Foster said the 25 participants have formed 14 businesses, including collaborations.

She said the programme commenced on June 24 with participants thus far attending five workshops that have introduced the young people to the rudiments of business.
Foster said the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business has been involved in the programme.

The Executive Chairman of the BEF explained that at the marketplace the participants were judged on their general marketing presence and are scheduled to make a presentation on their experience before a panel of judges in the coming weeks.

Foster said: “Why is this different from the usual $20 challenge? It is first a collaboration with the Optimist and we are hoping it will be an annual event. The students are actually between 16 and 25, so it is a different age cohort.

“Many of these young people have said they thought about getting into business, but school and whatever didn’t allow them the opportunity. So, they now have the opportunity to try it out and try it on. And they have reported that even going through the series of workshops, being here today is a completely different experience trying to engage people and to sell to people”.

Margot Aquan of the Optimist Clubs of Barbados said after seeing the businesses those involved in the challenge came up with, she was satisfied that the Club made the right decision to get involved with the project. Aquan said she attended the workshops with the participants and had also learnt several new rules and guidelines about running a business.

Aquan said: “We are hoping that this can continue. We are used to going into the community, but I don’t think the $20 Challenge has gone into the community. But some of the participants are our young optimists and we are glad to expose them to this type of activity as well.”

Barbados TODAY spoke to several of the participants at the marketplace who shared that their journey in the $20 Challenge had been a rewarding experience which they intended to take with them throughout life.

Owner of Pins and Needles, Lasonja Mascoll, who uses yarn to make clothing, bags, hats and even hair accessories, said she attended all the workshops where she learnt new aspects of running a business.

Mascoll said: “Within the time that I went there, I learnt so much and honestly that has shaped me as a business owner and really pushed me to be the business owner that I am today. I wanted to do it but still not to do it, but going there and learning to price things and work for the customers has really shaped me as a business owner and I would say that is all because of the $20 Challenge.”

Joel Cyrilien, who shared that after studying woodwork for two years while at school, he was inspired to create his business called Reflections which specialises in customised mirrors made out of pine wood and decorated with seashells and gemstones.

Cyrilien said attending the workshops has led to him becoming a more confident person.
“The programme has given me the extra boost that I needed to go ahead with my business idea.”

The graduation ceremony for the programme made possible by Scotia Bank, Sky Mall, Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES), Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business, and volunteers from the Optimist Club, will be held on September 18, 2021.