join the movement There is a global movement taking place – a movement around entrepreneurship and the promise it holds for the future. As the world feels the blows of economic, health and political crises, entrepreneurship is being lauded by many as the key to solving some of the toughest problems faced by this and future generations. Poverty,
contents
in particular, is at the root of many national ailments, both in Jamaica and abroad, and the power of entrepreneurship to create change, provide solutions and improve livelihoods is driving the momentum
4 Where Are They Now?
behind this movement. In November, Jamaica joins countries around the world that are shining the spotlight on entrepreneurs during Global Entrepreneurship Week - the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. At the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship – Caribbean (BCoEC) we live and breathe entrepreneurship and join the movement to support and encourage not only entrepreneurs, but everyone who has a role to play in bolstering high-growth start-ups and the business environment
7 The Business of Kreativity 10 Coming Home: The Rise of DeJaFrut 11 A-LIVEwireact and Kicking
in which they operate. This eZine is dedicated to the global movement, as we highlight BCoEC entrepreneurs and partners playing their role in building a new blueprint for tomorrow. Randy McLaren, featured on the cover, is more than an entrepreneur. He is a poet, artist and activist who merges creativity with business, in order to address social issues, earn revenue and achieve global reach. Not unlike Tanya Batson-Savage, whose company, Blue Moon Publishing, facilitates cross-border cultural exchange through literacy. They are both blazing new paths for the Caribbean in culture, art and entrepreneurship. Our mentorship piece is an exciting one, which shines the spotlight on a BCoEC mentor who has invested more than just time in helping his mentee achieve the level of growth that she and her business deserve. Companies may start small, but they need to grow. Cyreca McGaw’s small accounting firm took on it’s biggest contract to date
12 Motivation Behind... Empowerment 14 From Mentor to Investor 15 (Ac)counting Your Blessings and Your Business 16 Global Entrepreneurship and the Caribbean 18 A New Cohort... A New Approach
and found that through a successful partnership she was able to grow her business and contribute to education reform. These stories and more, demonstrate how the Caribbean has an important role to play in developing and nurturing entrepreneurship globally.
Lisa Lake
Chief Entrepreneurship Officer
www.bransoncentre.co
20 Read All About It: Blue Moon Publishing
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? “Entrepreneur and microbusiness champion, Royan Campbell was first featured in our pages just over a year ago in March of 2013.”
Royan campbell
sure financial services Entrepreneur and microbusiness champion, Royan Campbell, was first featured in our pages just over a year ago in March of 2013. Royan is the founder of Sure Financial Services financing, which provides business and personal loans, insurance premium financing, as well as business planning and management training. Since then, the company has grown significantly in terms of numbers, clients and products offered. They are currently in negotiations for further investment and financing, and their client base has nearly doubled. They added a new location in 2013 in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland and an additional branch in Maypen, Clarendon is currently under construction. Most recently, the company has entered into an exciting partnership with the Jamaica Microfinancing Association, and is now authorized to offer personal loans to employees of the Jamaican government—a landmark achievement. Still, Royan’s personal and professional mandate remains the same: educating and aiding others in their entrepreneurial pursuits, with a larger goal of positively impacting the nation’s economy. Mr. Campbell lives by the saying “give a man a fish and you’ll feed him for a day—teach a man to fish and you’ll feed him for life.” Sure Financial aims to teach its clients to fish—providing not just access to finance, but also business training. As an entrepreneur himself, Royan understands his clients’ needs and the challenges they face. After all, he’s lived them, and continues to live them with each advance that his company makes. Through the Branson Centre and others, Royan received much needed support in his own journey and is now ‘paying it forward’ by signing on to be a mentor to young entrepreneurs in vulnerable communities through the Diaspora Youth Connect (DYC) programme – an exciting new initiative recently launched by the Jamaica Diaspora Institute in collaboration with CUSO, the Branson Centre and other key partners.
4
Robyn Fox 17 mile post
Nestled high in the hills of Newcastle, overlooking both the city streets of Kingston and the Blue Mountain countryside, you’ll find a hidden gem: 17 Mile Post, the “3-in-1” getaway spot that’s changing the face of Jamaican tourism. When we first spoke to co-founder and business owner Robyn Fox, 17 Mile Post was still finding its footing amidst the giants of the Jamaican hospitality industry. Now, Robyn says, business is booming and shows no sign of slowing down. “The weekend demand at the café has increased, so we’ve expanded the kitchen. We’ve recently obtained a spot on booking.com, so the guest-
“. . .a s richard branson would say, ‘s crew it just do it!”
house is almost completely booked for November and December. Our farm orders have also gone up almost 30%, and so we’ve added an extra delivery day to meet the demand from both customers and supermarkets.” All this growth on the business side has forced the woman behind the business to grow as well. Robyn describes herself as having gained a lot more courage and self-confidence since beginning her entrepreneurial journey. She says that the competitive nature of the tourism industry means you can’t be shy. Given that her operations actually consist of three different businesses; cafe, guest house and fresh produce delivery, she explains that there’s really no time to stop and worry. “As an entrepreneur, you don’t really have time to plan solutions when something goes wrong—it’s about doing, finding that fix and pushing through. As Richard Branson would say, ‘screw it just do it!’” Robyn prides herself on providing guests with a true Jamaican experience, and looks more and more to her surrounding community to further that mission. Local farmers supply her with produce, and she supplies them with something else—business sense. She understands that while her community members know how to farm, they lack knowledge when it comes to the business of farming. She wants to be an example in her community, and use her success to further that of others. “When I help the community, they help me. We’ve recently applied for a tourism enhancement fund from the government. That’ll give us funding to build and beautify the community. I’d love to work with other established entrepreneurs, but for now, this is my focus—community tourism.”
5
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Discover what’s possible
randy mclaren the business of
Kreativity Spoken word poet, actor, writer, activist… entrepreneur? While it’s not uncommon for those in the creative sector to use their talents to champion various causes and social issues, it’s certainly rare to find someone who merges artistic talent and social justice campaigning into a viable business. Randy McLaren, owner and founder of Articulet, can count himself as one among those rare individuals—just call him the “Kreativ Activis.”
7
w
When asked about the definition of creative activism, Randy explains
“What you have,
that it’s just what it sounds like: using creative avenues and platforms to
what you’re doing is a
address social, cultural and development issues in a way that is edgy, fresh and engaging. Performing since his high school days, Randy recalls being
product—you need to
approached by his peers and audience members who were moved and
have confidence in what
inspired by his words. His involvement in student leadership activities also
you do and
gave him material to tie into his various projects and performances. His work as one of Jamaica’s Youth Ambassadors for Culture instilled in him a
put a cost
desire to be a progressive activist—a desire that has manifested itself into
to it...”
Articulet. “’Entertain change’ is Articulet’s tagline - its mantra. It’s about creating something that generates a positive impact. The audience should be entertained, but at the heart of it, it’s about sending them away with something that provokes them to be better human beings,” Randy says. Articulet uses various types of performance art, as well as new media and communications technologies to educate young people on various social issues worldwide, and motivate them to take action. It’s an undertaking that’s brought Randy much recognition and taken him all over the world, from performing at Jamaica House during the 2012 London Olympics to performing in Zambia in 2013 and his first solo performance to a non-English speaking audience in Venezuela in 2014. Randy also won the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in Arts and Culture in March 2013. Building a business out of artistic talent, however, is no easy task, and combined with the risk and struggle associated with starting a business has made the last few years of Randy’s life quite the rollercoaster. Like any business, you have to think about adding on product or service extensions. By diversifying his offerings, he is better able to capitalize on his artistic talents. He is a performer and dub-poet at the core, but he also creates jingles for corporate advertisements, performs at events, consults with NGOs on youth initiatives, and executes his own events, just to name a few of his offerings. Through Articulet, he ran a week’s worth of workshops with the Beacon Arts Centre and the Pan-African Arts Council in Greenock, Scotland.
8
The workshops were part of a pilot project whereby participants engaged in a three-way exchange of cultural activities between Jamaica, Ghana, and Scotland. “The focus was to help young people find and understand their talent, and then show them how to use it as a means of self-expression, self-empowerment, and a
r
networking and establishing strategic relationships. It contributes to his overall brand building both locally and abroad, which further assists him to grow his business and enhance his credibility. “I always knew that I had the talent, but not necessarily the business skills,” he says. He looks to his acceptance into the Branson Centre as a real transitional point in creating a sustainable business. “I went into the Branson Centre thinking that I knew what I was doing. But they helped me to put a structure in place and create a real business model.” Randy reflects on the many hardships he encountered, and continues to encounter as he transitions from artist to business owner. As creativity isn’t a tangible product, it can be harder to get start-up capital since banks and other investors hesitate to give loans to performers. Entrepreneurship, he says, can be a lonely road—but when you have a vision in mind and see the bigger picture—that’s what will guide you through those low moments. Randy’s vision for Articulet extends beyond Jamaica, which has already started to take shape given his extensive travels in the past year. Randy also stresses proactivity as a key to success in business. He dedicates time to researching work opportunities all around the world, often with the help of social media, and putting himself in the right places at the right times. He understands that as an artist, it can be difficult to tap into an entrepreneurial mindset— and admits that not everyone has that capacity and capability. The key then, becomes surrounding yourself with people who do have those skills—and learning from them as much as possible. Most importantly, artists need to recognize their own value and how to capitalize on it. “What you have, what you’re doing is a product—you need to have confidence in what you do and put a cost to it. You cannot say
A
Many of his overseas engagements have come out of successful
ss
on and would encourage other entrepreneurs to do the same.
mb a
networking—something Randy places a very high importance
ad o
His time in the UK really drove home for him the importance of
Activist
tool to empower others.”
yes to everything. Be selective. You are offering value, and value comes with a price.” Randy has many goals for his business, including creating opportunities for others. His productions require actors, musicians, directors, videographers, designers and graphic artists. While he loves being an artist and creating, he also wants to build sustainable operations, saying that “art for arts sake won’t pay the bills or secure a future for you and your family. This is a creative industry. It’s a business. Those who understand that are the ones who will do well.” Though global impact is his focus, Randy McLaren will never forget where he came from. He recently created a docu-poem called “Armadale: Children on Fire”, raising awareness about the survivors of the 2009 fire at the Armadale state facility in St. Ann. The docu-poem was 4th on the shortlist (out of 2,000 submissions) for the United Nations World Summit Youth Award. He is passionate about children in poverty and those in conflict with the law, believing that lack of education and access to funds creates a brutal cycle. As a product of a rural Jamaican community, Randy also hopes to use his brand to generate funds for rural development. He is currently working on an album and book, which will tie into the social campaigns he has been a part of. He aims to execute a crowdfunding campaign to get those projects off the ground in the next few months. Randy McLaren: “Kreativ Activis” and entrepreneur, is changing the world one performance piece at a time.
9
Coming Home:
the rise of DeJaFrut
M
“ If the product is made here and
DeJaFrut, a company which produces all-natural sorbets made
the consumers are here, then the money stays here. ...”
from locally sourced ingredients. The offspring of Jamaican
The other main challenge of starting out as an entrepreneur here
parents, the twin sisters were born and raised in New York City
in Jamaica was unexpected: culture shock. Given their Jamaican
but returned to the land of their heritage with the goal of starting a
heritage, Marie was surprised at how much they had to adjust and
business that would manufacture one of their favourite treats from
the many differences in the business climate. This was especially
the States. Marie recalls how her sister, inspired by the opportunity
evident given their upbringing in one of the fastest-paced cities in
to introduce sorbet on the island, helped her to step out of her
the world. She describes having to make the transition from doing
comfort zone.
business largely via email correspondence and written contracts,
Marie and her sister Maria are the entrepreneurial duo behind
to the more face-to-face and paperless interactions common here “We always had sorbet in New York in the summer, but it was
in Jamaica. On the other hand, their product is now available in
only available during the summer. My sister missed the season one
supermarkets, beach bars and resorts all over the island—a fact
year while she was studying here in Jamaica, and that was when
Marie attributes largely to the same, more personal business
she approached me with the idea. I thought she was crazy but here
approach required.
we are.” “It was all about pounding the pavement. We would just walk in, Like many who go into business for themselves, Marie never
introduce ourselves, and provide samples. We made sure to speak
saw herself as an entrepreneur. In New York, she worked as an
to the right people and then let the product speak for itself. We
accountant and acknowledges that the challenges of small business
definitely wouldn’t have been able to do that in the States.”
ownership are many-leveled. One of DeJaFrut’s key selling points is the fact that it is all-natural and does not contain any artificial
DeJaFrut continues to grow and expand. The company is currently
preservatives or additives. The cost of consistently obtaining high
in the midst of adding to its flavour offerings and looking forward
quality ingredients has been one of the main challenges, especially
to a soft launch with a major distributor in the upcoming months.
since the company’s other mandate is to keep the ingredients
They are even considering bringing on an investor who could help
locally sourced.
move the needle in their growth trajectory. Marie is adamant in maintaining her focus on Jamaica and the Caribbean as their primary
10
“We want to jolt the economy,” Marie explains, “and maintain the
expansion target: “We’re trying to give back to the country that
grassroots effort. If the product is made here and the consumers
our family is from. Staying local doesn’t just benefit the company.
are here, then the money stays here. We wanted to come here and
There’s a trickle-down effect. We want to come into this country
contribute to the full economic cycle.”
and make a significant difference.”
A-LivewireACT and kicking… Brian Brown
I
In early August, several hours after leaving the International Dancehall
of my company’s website and fine-tuning my new t-shirt
Queen show where I had performed as an emcee, I landed on my feet
line and debut music videos. Just another day in the life of
(literally), and broke both ankles. After burning the midnight oil, I was
an entrepreneur…
about to get ready to attend a morning event where another Branson alumni was presenting. I climbed two-stories to do a quick check on my
Despite being unable to simply get up and walk, I
watertank when the ladder moved suddenly. I made a split decision to land
cherished my daily routine of being thankful, working
forward instead of backwords, where I could have suffered a terrible back
out and being at my desk (only 20 feet away) by 8am
injury. Yes, I was accustomed to landing on my feet, but I certainly didn’t
for work. We set-up new systems for meeting clients’
expect this.
objectives and submitting progress reports while I tried to manage my energy and the pain, as well as accepting
Naturally, there were already plans for the months ahead, including a travel
my physical limitations. In all of this, we added two new
schedule. Those plans were shattered; and wheelchair shopping, months
clients via skype, telephone meetings and emails. Granted,
of pain and uncertainty about my future mobility loomed. I bought what
we generated more much needed revenue, but that also
I needed, but found that my greatest challenge was not only retaining two
meant more pressure to deliver.
new clients and engaging my new employee, but maintaining my spirit and positivity. I soon accepted a few realities. Firstly, I’d be confined to
As we work on a plan to launch our entertainment registry
a wheelchair for at least three months; secondly, I quickly had to get the
website in Kingston during Global Entrepreneurship
tools and support I needed to function; and thirdly, self-pity was not an
Week this November. I always come back to one thing;
option, especially with a young daughter feeling my pain with every move
how blessed I am to be doing something I love for a living.
I made.
Above all, I’ve learned that an indomitable spirit is the most important attribute for every entrepreneur.
Two days later, I was back at work; virtually anyway. I had to assure my clients that it was only my ankles that were broken, and not my marketing
By developing a winning attitude, keeping things in
expertise. Support poured in from friends, family and colleagues, and as
perspective and reinforcing positive best practices, I’m
someone who is used to helping others, I had to sit still and allow others
looking forward to being on my feet again to ensure I
to help me. It wasn’t easy.
achieve my New Year’s resolution - a year of massive growth.
Luckily, I had hired an assistant six weeks before the accident. It was clear that I could not have done it without her, especially as all of this was happening while completing a 2-D Animation course, planning the launch
11
Kamala McWhinney
Motivation Behind...Empowerment
What sets White Lotus apart from other bridal boutiques? We rent and sell bridal gowns from a wide range of international designers, but what sets us apart are our handmade bridal accessories. We make feather fascinators, birdcage veils, cathedral veils and much more. We also make custom accessories for our brides. We get to know their personal styles and their “vision” for the big day, and create pieces made especially to suit them.
How does your academic background in clinical psychology help your business? How have you bridged the gap? Being a clinical psychologist, the ability to interact with people is key. You have to know how to read people, put them at ease and empathize—it’s critical. In business, we call that customer service.
Besides style, your brand’s main focus is on female empowerment. What strategies do you use at store level to help spread this message? In my work as a psychologist, I see girls and women with a plethora of social and emotional problems. Reaching out to women to help them build self-esteem is a passion of mine. I’ve had several impromptu premarital counseling sessions with clients during fittings and such. A few have even been motivated to seek out formal premarital counseling after our talks. I would like to formalize this and have it become an actual service offered by White Lotus.
What motivated you to be an entrepreneur? How do you empower yourself and others? I never saw myself as the entrepreneurial type. I thought that to be an entrepreneur, it took a certain magic that I just didn’t think I had. What I did have was a passion to make pretty items. When
“I see girls and women
people started offering to buy them, I was sort of thrust into it.
with a plethora of social and emotional
I’m very grateful to the Branson Centre for accepting me into the
problems. Reaching out to women to help them build self-esteem is a passion of mine. “
12
entrepreneur program and giving me the tools and skills I needed to succeed. As an entrepreneur, I find it even more empowering to help others through my brand. Having a store space alone just won’t do it for me. I want to have an impact on women—if I can do that, it will be the most empowering part of my business.
You recently shared details of your struggle with breast cancer publicly through Facebook and other channels. Why did you decide to be so open, and where did you find the courage? I found so much motivation and support in tapping into other women’s stories that I always knew I wanted to use mine to help others, especially younger women, become more aware and vigilant; as well as let those who are diagnosed know that they were not alone. It was mostly a matter of timing. Before I actually went public, I knew the timing wasn’t right. I needed that time to achieve my own level of acceptance and resolution of the pros vs cons of going public. It’s a constant battle but the timing was right. Do you feel that entrepreneurship is a field in which women could use more empowerment? What would you say to other women thinking of going into business for themselves? I feel that while women are underrepresented in the field of small business ownership, we’re definitely increasing those numbers. I met so many inspiring and helpful female entrepreneurs through the Branson Centre. I think women who are looking at going into small business ownership need to know that there are others like them out there. With representation, we can empower women socially and financially and change the nation and the world. There’s a lot of fear and apprehension in being an entrepreneur and those feelings are justified. It’s difficult but we can do it. What inspires you, as far as the pieces you create? What’s your “creative process?” I have a lot of attraction to retro glamour- I love the vintage, “way back when” look. I take inspiration from that era and style and so a lot of pieces incorporate that. I also like to work with the customer. I look at their personality and individual style and design something around that. You recently showcased at the Jamaican Bridal Expo. What was that like? What are your plans for the future of White Lotus? The Jamaican Bridal Expo was our first showing in Montego Bay and it was tremendously successful. We’ve had about 4-5 showings in Kingston, but it was the first time that our team really worked seamlessly. We’ll be at Kingston Bridal Week at the end of October. White Lotus will also be launching a photography service. We’ll do weddings, maternity photos, newborn photos and such. We’re working on pop-up boutiques in the Montego Bay area as well. “Lotus Blooms,” which is the social media arm of our company, will also launch in this month. A year ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I want the launch to tie in with that anniversary, especially with October being breast cancer awareness month. Lotus Blooms will produce short videos and use social media to tackle women’s issues. What are some of your long-term goals for the business? I would like to open another storefront. I’d also like to make connections with resorts, to be able to offer our services to destination brides. Being able to offer a wider selection of locally made gowns is also a primary goal. Most importantly, I want the message of White Lotus to go beyond Jamaica. Social media has unlimited reach, so I hope to make a global impact through “Lotus Blooms.”
13
I
I had never exactly ‘mentored’ an entrepreneur before, until an old friend who I had met in Jamaica many years ago, introduced me to the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship – Caribbean (BCoEC). I believe that a strong economy is key to the success of any modern society, and such an economy requires successful businesses, most of which start small. In the early years of my career, I consulted with small businesses, even some in Jamaica, so I saw mentoring as an opportunity to give back to a country that I learned to love in my first 30 years of life. We started to establish trust from early on in the relationship. Before contacting her, I read Angelica’s business plan. When we
From Mentor to Investor: Trust is the Greatest Return
by: Paul Sagar, Founder: Albion Devices, Inc. Solana Beach, California
did later speak via Skype and email it was obvious that she knew her own business plan well and was following through with it. Her marketing skills were evident, and superior to my own. She has a true entrepreneurial spirit and I was quickly convinced that she was someone who could succeed, given the resources that she needed. As I learned more about Angelica and her business, it was clear that she needed capital to really expand her business. At my prompting, she sought local financing from Jamaican local financial institutions. However, no one was willing to provide the necessary seed financing at reasonable terms and all wanted collateral that Angelica was unable to provide. As far as I could see, the only thing in the way of Angelica and success was the lack of working capital. I had developed real faith in Angelica, and felt that the best thing I could do as a mentor was to provide those funds at reasonable terms. I offered her a modest, medium term interest-only loan with low interest and a balloon payment at termination. I have real faith in Angelica and can see that she is dedicated to the success of her business. The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship -
“I have real faith in Angelica and can see that she is dedicated to the success of her business.”
Caribbean (BCoEC) has been very supportive of our relationship, and they were thrilled to see it deepen in such a practical and real way. I was able to offer BCoEC some of my own insights and contribute to their efforts in building out an access to finance stream, which will be launched in the next few months. In the meantime, the 6-month mentorship term facilitated by BCoEC has ended, but Angelica and I continue to maintain our relationship. It was a natural transition, and as long as Angelica finds the relationship useful, then I am available to her. My hope is that she will become very successful, and that she lets me know as much. At the end of the day, that will bring me immense satisfaction.
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Having such a high-profile case under her belt has not shifted
(AC)Counting your
Blessings …and Your Business: mcgaw & company
Cyreca’s focus and passion away from her small business clients. McGaw and Company provides a wide range of services, but Cyreca takes special interest in offering advice to those who are just starting out and registering their companies. Her main mission is to prepare clients for success in the long term—helping them with the kind of planning that, in her experience, is often overlooked. “I have clients who come to me ten years into doing business with no accounting system in place. At the beginning they only thought
Cyreca McGaw has always been an entrepreneur. She
about earning money—not about recording the money.”
just didn’t know it.
T
Cyreca sees the move towards entrepreneurship as the solution
The founder of McGaw and Company says she’s known that
to unemployment. She wants to use her business and her own
she wanted to be an accountant since high school. She decided
experience to help others just beginning their journey—a journey
to dream big, even at that young age, by also having a vision to
that she herself wouldn’t change for anything in the world.
own her own company. “I knew nothing about entrepreneurship,” she admits. However, for many successful business owners, it isn’t about the knowledge—it’s about the spirit. Cyreca’s drive to start her own company demonstrates just that: entrepreneurial spirit. Cyreca spent years working at top accounting firm KPMG—years
“I knew nothing about entrepreneurship,”
well spent, as it gave her the knowledge and experience needed to strike out on her own. It also reaffirmed her passion for accounting as a means to helping others—a passion that has led her to take on her company’s biggest project to date.
Cyreca McGaw
McGaw & Company was sub-contracted by a client who was hired by the Ministry of Finance to undertake the audit of the Teachers’ Reclassification arrears. It is a huge undertaking and a major opportunity - one that requires auditing over 23,000 teachers salaries. It has already resulted in the government making a series of payouts to teachers, which is expected to total approximately $1.9 billion by the end of the project.* McGaw and Company doesn’t currently offer financial auditing services, so the significance of the case is twofold: the chance to be a part of major reform in the Jamaican education system, while expanding her own business. At present, Cyreca is just proud to be part of a team that is making it possible for teachers in Jamaica to get their retroactive salaries. Her company became involved through a partnership—a departure from the idea that being an entrepreneur means always going it alone. Cyreca encourages others like her to rise above that perception. “Seek out collaborative experiences,” she says, “They are vital.”
*At the time that this issue was published, the project was expected to be completed at the end of November, at which time the final figure would be confirmed.
Global Entrepreneurship and the Caribbean:
“you need to put making the world a better place right at the heart of your business model.”
By: Lindsey Crouch, Virgin Unite
At Virgin Unite, we believe entrepreneurs have the keys to
like so much of the world, many Caribbean nations are experiencing
unlocking solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world
the double-edged sword of youth unemployment and ‘brain drain’
faces today. Long gone are the days when businesses can stop at
– with around 90% of all those educated above high school level
simply minimising the risk that they have on communities and the
emigrating, according to the IMF. Entrepreneurs in the Caribbean
environment. To be really successful now, you need to put making
are rising to these challenges. Many are doing this by becoming
the world a better place right at the heart of your business model.
job creators. The 2013 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Special Report on the Caribbean found that almost half (46.5%) of new
For those of us working across the Virgin Group, Global
businesses created new jobs between 2011 and 2013.
Entrepreneurship Week isn’t just about celebrating entrepreneurs for creating jobs and improving our economies. It’s also about
Caribbean entrepreneurs are also using their energy and creativity
thinking about how we can best support the entrepreneurs that
to tackle some big issues. From fiber-optic solar indoor lighting to
are leading the way in finding new methods to turn challenges into
vertical farming systems , Caribbean nations are ripe for disruption
opportunities.
in energy and agriculture. They’re also tackling social issues as diverse as improving education and providing access to low cost
Like any other region of the world, the Caribbean is faced
housing options. .
with a unique set of challenges that can be addressed through entrepreneurial solutions.
We at Unite are proud to partner with the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship – Caribbean (BCoEC); their holistic model of
16
The relatively small size of the islands can make them vulnerable
support for entrepreneurs helps to ensure that entrepreneurs are
to changes in the economic climate – even more so during global
supported to use business as a force for good. And with plans to
recessions like the one we’ve just experienced. Climate change is
extend their reach across much of the Caribbean over the coming
also a big issue for the region, with the flooding and storms that
months, we will see the impact of their work reach many hundreds
struck the Eastern Caribbean being a tragic reminder of this. And
more.
So what can we do to help entrepreneurship in the Caribbean to thrive? Connecting a community. Being an entrepreneur can be a tough, lonely path, so access to entrepreneurial ecosystems and communities are a critical success factor. That’s why Virgin Unite and the BCoEC are working hard together to create both on and offline communities of entrepreneurs. The Centre organises regular events and socials to help people connect; and provides mentors, professional service providers, and a host of other support services.. Our online programme, currently in beta and being user tested, will provide another network to help like-minded entrepreneurs reach out and connect. Building bridges. The conversion rate between someone wanting to be an entrepreneur and actually becoming one is fairly low in the Caribbean compared to the rest of the world. Training, education and support is critical to helping people take the leap. The BCoEC offers a mix of training and services that provide just that. Entrepreneurship is for everyone. We need to make entrepreneurship an appealing choice for people of all ages, and dispel the myth that it’s just for the young. A new generation of ‘good’ businesses. Setting up and getting your business to fly is difficult enough; thinking through how to do that in a way that adds to society and the planet can be even more daunting. Through the tools we’re trialling through our new online platform, we’re hoping to provide entrepreneurs with practical support to build the next generation of businesses that are a force for good. What else can Virgin Unite and the Branson Centres for Entrepreneurship do to help entrepreneurs to survive and thrive? We’d love to hear your thoughts. You can connect with us on Twitter and Facebook: @virginunite.
A New Cohort… A New Approach On August 29th the Branson Centre of EntrepreneurshipCaribbean (BCoEC) welcomed Cohort 7.
A “ s our first ever virtual cohort, it was an exciting moment in BCoEC and Virgin history...” 18
As our first ever virtual cohort, it is an exciting moment in Virgin history, as our plans for expansion begin to take shape. We relish in the opportunity to beta test the virtual platform we have been developing over the past year with our Virgin Unite partners, not to mention introducing an exciting series of webinars and coaching sessions. Orientation day saw 48 vibrant and eager entrepreneurs (more than double the amount of entrepreneurs we brought in for previous cohorts) engaging with each other and absorbing the information on how the following twelve weeks would undoubtedly change their lives. The anticipation and excitement was palpable – a day filled with new beginnings, not just for Cohort 7, but also the BCoEC.
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read all about it:
blue moon books
Tanya Batson-Savage is bringing back the bedtime story.
I
In a world of tablets, television, and of course, the world wide web, it’s easy to forget the simple joy of reading a book. This is especially true for young people growing up in the digital age. Yet, it is during the formative years when literature can truly make the most impact. Tanya recalls becoming a godmother for the first time, and wanting nothing more than to give her godchild a Caribbean children’s book—only to find that there were none available.
“We in the Caribbean have produced two Nobel Laureates, and Linton Kwesi Johnson was one of only two living poets to be
“I got into publishing without intending to. I just thought it was
published in the Penguin Modern Classics. Writing just isn’t very
important for children to have books and stories that reflect them
‘sexy’ business compared to music, so we don’t get that same level
and their culture. Since I couldn’t find one, I made one.” This is
of international attention.”
when the spirit of the entrepreneur took over. By the time Tanya started thinking about her third book, Blue Moon Publishing was
Despite this, Tanya is determined to use her business to combat
born. An independent publishing house, Blue Moon specializes in
what she calls the “self-fulfilling lie” that Caribbean people do not
books about Caribbean children, written for a global audience. The
read. She acknowledges that getting books and creating a culture
company also operates under the imprint Blouse and Skirt Books,
of reading is hard work and cites a lack of local publishing as one of
whose catalogue consists of poetry and fiction aimed at an older
the major obstacles. Still, she is determined to use her independent
youth and adult audience. When asked when she knew she wanted
business venture to overcome these challenges.
to become an independent publisher, Tanya says, “after I started doing it.”
Running a small press gives me the latitude and room to pursue what I believe is critical. Larger houses have the money, but I want
“I think it’s wonderful that books open you up to the whole world.
to showcase the full potential of Caribbean literature. With the
I went to a panel on diversity where I was told that books should
kind of impact I want to make in the long run, running my own
be windows and mirrors. They should reflect people, but also give
press is better.”
a window for other people to look in.” Eventually, Tanya wants to give Blue Moon writers, and Caribbean
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Showcasing diversity through Blue Moon books is one of the
writers on a whole, the global recognition they deserve. She wants
company’s main mandates. Tanya believes that it is important for
to see Blue Moon Books on a bestseller list outside of Jamaica, and
children all over the world to have books about Caribbean people
have her writers recognized by cultural institutions. Ultimately, it
and vice versa. While Jamaica is known and celebrated worldwide
all comes back to the children: building their confidence and self
for its musical exports, its country’s writers have largely flown
worth through diversity; giving them books that say “I’m important
under the global radar.
too.”
The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship – Caribbean
ignites businesses to operate in a sustainable and socially responsible way to improve livelihoods and transform the world.
AS OF MAY 2014...
86
105
ENTREPRENEURS INVITED TO TAKE OFF
ENTREPRENEURS PARTICIPATING IN LAUNCH PAD
195 + 111
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF JOBS SUPPORTED BY BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING IN TAKE OFF
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF NEW JOBS CREATED BY BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING IN TAKE OFF
88.9%
AVERAGE REVENUE GROWTH
FUTURE MODEL REGIONAL EXPANSION
400
Entrepreneurs per year
Virtual Platform: Interactive training centre & toolkit, mentorship matching hub, marketplace, social network
+
Local Community Ecosystem: Local partners, events & workshops, peer-to-peer connections, pitch competitions
Exponential Impact
Help support and expand the Branson Centre’s impact in the Caribbean. Contact info@bransoncentre.co
Team
Lisa Lake
Chief Entrepreneurship Officer
Sharon Jarrett Centre Manager
Andrea Noble Operations Manager
Melissa von Frankenberg Partnerships & Communications Manager
Kerrie-ann Richards
Entrepreneur Development Manager
Lisandra Rickards
Entrepreneur Programme Manager
Donnelle Christian Relationship Manager
Chelan Smith
Communications Assistant Follow us:
www.bransoncentre.co info@bransoncentre.co
23
Unit 19 Bogue City Centre Montego Bay, Jamaica 1.876.632.5134 info@bransoncentre.co www.bransoncentre.co
published by
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