Eight groups of budding entrepreneurs electrified the Projetech TCI parking facility with a fantastic display of innovative services and products during the 2021 Junior Achievement TCI Opening Showcase held Saturday, December 4th.
Flanked by their advisors and corporate mentors, the Junior Achievers proudly unveiled their business branding, executive teams, and fascinating offers. The wide range of products and services on display was evidence that these bright minds have challenged themselves to deliver one-of-a-kind ‘on trend’ services that capitalize on today’s emerging markets and the opportunities that exist in the digital space.
The teams – Accesshellories, EverGreen Green Boss Custos, Jutsu Reality, Ecofit, BluExcursion, Marjorie Deals, Ltd, and Island View wowed shoppers with a beautifully diverse range of offerings that ran the gamut from bespoke hand-crafted pieces to bluetooth key finders and mobile applications.
In attendance was the Honourable Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, who has shown her unwavering support for the program since its restart and shared in her remarks how proud she was to see the program rebound in such an impressive way.
Despite experiencing island-wide showers on Saturday, the Achievers were open for business by 11 am and enjoyed a successful day with a great deal of support from the Turks & Caicos community. With the perfect complement of celebratory sounds by DJ Viper as their backdrop, the groups experienced first-hand the process of pitching and promoting their services in a high-energy public setting.
The stakes were high for the young entrepreneurs as they were also called to present their business concepts to a group of judges who challenged their knowledge and preparation against 10 scoring indicators – communications; company administration; customer focus, marketing and sales; financial systems and results; innovation and entrepreneurship; objective setting, planning and review; problem solving; product development; skills and understanding; and teamwork.
Mr. Almando Rigby, Board Member for Junior Achievement TCI and Emcee for the event, shared that he was impressed by the level of preparedness and focus the teams showed. Hands ladened with products he purchased from the JA market, he expressed to media, “Not only have they shown their creativity in developing their products, but they are shrewd marketers and sellers too! It’s a must that we support them.”
The Junior Achievement Opening Showcase was months in the making and represents just one component of the JA TCI Company Program. Throughout the course of the program, students experience what it means to set up and run a business from concept to liquidation. The Achievers will now continue their business activities with the help of their advisors who provide guidance to the teens and encourage the learn-by-doing process.
The JA TCI Board of Directors and the Achievers express their gratitude to judges Devon Cox, Melanie Smith, Dr. Candice Williams, and Kate James, and to the Turks & Caicos community at large for the outpouring of support. The group looks forward to continued engagement and encouragement from the public as they navigate this exciting journey as budding local entrepreneurs.
About Junior Achievement Turks & Caicos Islands
About Junior Achievement Turks & Junior Achievement Turks & Caicos Islands (JATCI) is a non-profit organization that provides young people ages 14 to 19 with learning experiences designed to inspire and prepare them for success in the global economy. JATCI has established a partnership between the business community, educators, and volunteers all working together to inspire young people to dream big and reach their potential. We focus on hands-on, experiential programs that teach the key concepts of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.