In celebration of National Youth Day, Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) partnered with the Department of Youth Affairs to host a half-day event, “Igniting Creativity Entrepreneurial Symposium," on September 24th at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports complex.
Under the theme: 5G- God, Growth, Greatness, Generosity and Goals, the National Youth Day Entrepreneurial Symposium concluded the youth day activities focusing on creativity and entrepreneurship.
In attendance at the event were numerous government officials, including the Minister of Education, Labour & Employment Services, the Hon. Rachel Taylor, and other specially invited guests.
Guests heard from Angela Musgrove, Interim CEO of Invest TCI, who stressed the importance of small business owners being able to think with a growth mindset to meet the needs of a growing TCI economy. She reminded business owners of the need to focus on scalable business models that can maximize growth potential.
Presentations were made by Wellington Williams, Owner of the Wellington Collection, and entrepreneur Anya Pratt of Willique Atelier, who enlightened the audience with their stories and journeys on how they became successful business owners.
The event also showcased several local entrepreneurs and recipients of Invest TCI’s MSME Programme who set up displays and engaged with resorts and businesses such as Amanyara, Beaches, IGA and Visit TCI about possible business expansions.
The MSME recipients in attendance were:
· Islands Organics - Soap manufacturer;
· Caicos Traditions - Caicos farm and produce supplier;
· Willique Atelier - Premium handbag manufacturer;
· Ocean Breeze - Detergent and soap manufacturer and supplier;
· Karsyn’s Fountain - Alkaline water supplier;
· Yummies and Aunty Nann’s - Delicious treats supplier; and
· And Cyril Dorsie Publishing - Book publishing company.
Island Organics walked away with the Invest TCI Media Award as the media's favourite and most creative display of the day and will receive additional marketing support and exposure through Magnetic Media and TCI Sun News.
Reacting to the event, Musgrove stated: "We would like to express gratitude to the Department of Youth Affairs for extending the invitation to partner on this initiative and to our MSME recipients for taking advantage of the opportunity to establish contacts with wholesalers and create supply chain linkages.
“We are pleased that several of the small businesses present were able to connect with a number of wholesalers and hotel gift shop representatives present. We envision that the relationships established at this event will put their small businesses on the path to realizing their growth potential.
“Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in economic development and is the key to creating new enterprise that energizes the economy. We encourage more entrepreneurs to contact us at Invest TCI to assist in bringing their projects to reality."