Caribbean Startup Scene Issue #3 by tenhabitat

UP START C

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ENE

CULTURE IN A BOWL

Volume 1 | Issue 3

A Publication of 1

“IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD”...BUT A

COMMUNITY TO BUILD A BUSINESS

LET’S HELP YO

OU BUILD YOURS

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL N E T W O R K

H A B I TAT

www.tenhabitat.com

Where Entrepreneurs Come To Grow 3

CONTENTS 30

SPARKING INNOVATION

MedRegis Pitches & Wins

IDEAS TAKE FLIGHT

Social problems meet real world creative in the Spark Innovation Lab, which is designed to bring actionable solutions through rapid prototyping and design thinking, to positively impact the world in which we live.

We take a look at the Entrepreneurship World Cup 2019 winner, Founder of MedRegis, Dale Trotman, and his plan for the patient-care startup and what $1 million USD would mean for the future of his groundbreaking app.

Israel Mallett, founder of IDS Creative Inc. discusses the ups and downs of starting a creative agency fourteen years ago and some of what it takes to survive.

17 QUOTE UNQUOTE

43 PERSONAL BRAND

50 POP UP FOR PROFIT

The power of a personal mission statement.

This TEN XTRA Tip points out the strentgh of a personal brand.

TEN examines the latest trends in Pop-Up Shops and the benefits to entrepreneurs.

33 WRITING FOR BUSINESS

44 LEARN TO CODE!

54 BOSS YOUR POP-UP

TEN explores five tips for writing for business with Neesha Soodeen and Daphne Ewing Chow.

In the technologically driven world in which we live, coding is a skillset worth exploring.

These tips from the editor help you maximise your Pop-Up Shop experience.

39 TEN QUESTIONS

46 CONNECTIONS

Ten Questions with interior decorator Julia Benn.

For entrepreneurs, leveraging relationships and mentorship goes a long way to longevity and success.

Innovation

inside ten

THE START

The programmes of TEN Habitat are funded in part by IDB Lab and the EU.

IMPACT

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

INTRAPRENEURSHIP

Having all the benefits and expressing the skillsets of an entrepreneur without the personal financial risks, intrapreneurs are taking initiative and exexuting ideas to transform the landscape of the modern day workplace. Give them the room and they just might change the world.

26 RETHINKING FOOD SECURITY IN BARBADOS As we head into a new decade and the issue of climate change continues to impact international food sources, food security in the Caribbean is a major challenge that local entrepreneurs are rising to tackle head on.

STARTUP C

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ENTRE PRENEURS

YELLUH MEAT: CULTURE IN A BOWL Entrepreneurship takes many forms. Travel and food enthusiast Jonathan Cho shares how Yelluh Meat is bringing authentic bajan culture to the fore as pioneers of the local breadfruit bowl market.

CARIBBEAN STARTUP SUMMIT

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Volume 1 | Issue 3 Producer/Creator: Selwyn Cambridge Editor: Belle Holder Coordinators: Indra Denys & Andrea Austin Graphic Design: IDS Creative Inc Photographers: Amleya Clarke Photography & David Yearwood Contributing Writers: Kerri Birch, Stacia Browne, Selwyn Cambridge, Jonathan Cho, Indra Denys, Belle Holder, Nadine Jack, Israel Mallett, Keoma Mallett, Russell Norville, Danielle Toppin

#CSS: SERVING CARIBBEAN BUSINESSES Beyond the buzzwords and catchphrases we dive into how the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature entrepreneurship summit is serving the needs of Caribbean Businesses

EDITOR’s NOTE

20/20 VISION & THE GIFT OF NO!

I started planning for the year 2020 during summer break of 2019. Not because I was anxious or jumping the gun and certainly not because I’m an early bird… my entrance into the world as a preemie baby not-withstanding…there was just something about that number 2020 that made me feel compelled to look well ahead. I bought a day planner that runs on the school calendar; September 2019 to December 2020 and began penciling in my goals. Call it a gut feeling, women’s intuition, wishful thinking (insert cliché here), I just have a feeling that for many entrepreneurs and startups, the year 2020 is going to be one of action and accomplishment, probably no surprise for those who pay attention to numerology and the significance of numbers. 20/20 is associated with perfect vision, sharpness and clarity, this is a year where so many of your goals and dreams can come into clear focus. So now is the time to write down and declare your mission statement and targets for the new year, then take it one step at a time. Coming off of a 2019 driven by the entrepreneurship street mantra, ‘the hustle is real’ many of us wrapped up the year, over scheduled, over assigned, overwhelmed or over tired. The first line of my 2020 vision board is, “Give Yourself the Gift of No!” and by that I have to be more selective with my time and energy. According to the online mental health resource Goodtherapy.com, being more reserved about what you say yes to, creates a sense of empowerment, helps to establish boundaries and enables others to have clarity

about what they can expect from you. It also allows you to be more self-focused and stop putting yourself and/or your dreams on the back burner. Mind & Body fitness professional Janelle Chase Mayers, the founder of Barbados’ Fit Chic movement, always stresses the importance of self care, a point she emphasizes in this month’s Quote Unquote. Janelle believes that saying No strategically, is really about being strategic about your Next Opportunity. In this month’s cover story, Jonathan Cho shares how the co-founders of Yelluh Meat saw an opportunity to blend culinary art, street food, history and culture in a breadfruit bowl. The food industry is certainly a popular choice for Caribbean entrepreneurs and shows no signs of slowing down, while in comparison, traditional retail chains are taking a hit. Nadine Jack delves into how many point of sale product and service business owners are finding interesting ways to Pop Up for Profit. At TEN Habitat we remain laser focused on our mission and our vision to support Caribbean Entrepreneurs and the development of their businesses. Regional startups are increasingly utilizing social media to facilitate scaling and reaching an international audience and potential clientele. Caribbean entrepreneurs can now seriously consider

staying in their home island, while growing and scaling their business internationally. TEN’s annual flagship event, the Caribbean Startup Summit, CSS2020 is themed, ‘Start Local, Go Global’. Co-founder of the video production house 13 Degrees North, Kerri Birch gives us a review of CSS19 and examines why every Caribbean entrepreneur, startup founder, business owner and person with an idea for a business, should reserve their spot at this year’s summit. CSS2020 being staged on May 22nd and 23rd is a no-miss opportunity to learn, pitch, network, attract investors and showcase your business. The Caribbean Startup Summit is also an awesome way for entrepreneurs across the region to meet, connect and collaborate. We want to hear from you! Let us share the story of your business and your brand. Help us to discover interesting entrepreneurs in your island and across the diaspora. It’s so easy for us to connect, send us an email, a Whatsapp, or a direct message and let’s share each other’s stories and help each other’s businesses to go global starting here on the Caribbean Startup Scene.

Belle Holder Media & Communications Manager TEN Habitat @belleholder246 • bholder@tenhabitat.com

FOUNDER’s NOTE Caribbean entrepreneurs are demonstrating that we in the region are capable of much more than we think and the systems we design for support. Just consider Mega business woman and pop star Rihanna. Or maybe ask serial entrepreneur and founder of several million-dollar companies including Innclusive, Rohan Gilkes. Or let’s go one step further tand have a look at Aceleron co-founder and one of Forbes 30 under 30, Carlton Cummins. These are not “small business owners!” These are small island nationals doing world-class initiatives.

The Ecosystem for our time Selwyn Cambridge Founder & CEO TEN Habitat @tenfounder scambridge@tenhabitat.com

Their global success is a demonstration of what happens when the right mindset meets the appropriate ecosystem! These Caribbean entrepreneurs, their stories and others like them who aspire to achieve more, are in part why TEN Habitat and the Caribbean Started Summit exist! We must realize that as Caribbean people what we believe is exactly what we will achieve. The question is, “what’s our ecosystem?” What are we building to support grand visions and moonshot explorations? Rihanna, Rohan and Carlton’s success illustrates the fact that there has never been a better time to be an entrepreneur than right now. What we need now is to ensure we can also say there has never been a better place than, right here! Technology, access and ideas have opened up unimaginable possibilities for our dreamers, our risk takers and our innovators. It’s time we added the appropriate ecosystem. Building the right ecosystem however, desperately opens up the need for us to change the way we do business and change now we must. Our sons and daughters must be able to dream like Rihanna and know it’s possible right where they are in the Caribbean. They must grow up benefiting from an ecosystem, which embraces exploration, experimentation and investment in ideas. 8

It’s a system, which forces us to stop thinking small. It’s an approach, which allows us to stop seeing our tiny local markets as THE Market. The world is our oyster and its ours for the taking. Let’s go get it together, because THIS IS THE TIME! This is the time we stop believing that every business around us in the Caribbean is a competitor and begin recognizing the amazing power, which can be derived from collaboration. We must begin to appreciate the strategy in working together to take on bigger and grander goals with larger markets. Going it alone is never going to be a sustainable or effective strategy. This is the time for change…a mindset change. Not just by the entrepreneurs but by everyone involved! This is the time we stop nurturing a system that perpetuates small. Our vision must be bigger and our organisations must get better. This is the time we put the right skill sets in place to support our innovators and disruptors. This is the time we stop killing the possibilities of where a business can go simply because an organisation is unable to understand it, or see beyond what the local market can accommodate. This is the time we put in place the ecosystems designed to support emerging businesses to move beyond being small, to becoming global investable ventures. This is the time we realize that not everyone is ready to embrace the change that is needed to make this possible. Nevertheless, this is the time we do it anyway. It is the time our business support institutions practice the advice they offer to the entrepreneurs in their charge; to seek help when they do not know and establish collaborations if they are to grow!

This is the time we blow up the outdated practice of protectionism and territorial cold wars at the expense of entrepreneurs and embrace the possibilities of community and mutual support towards a better, stronger entrepreneur and startup founder. This is the time we do away with sexy initiatives and systems, which only serve to dig startups and their founders into deeper holes of debt. We must create opportunities for our entrepreneurs, our innovators and our dreamers to access patient capital and be able to truly benefit from the practice of investment; investment in good ideas, innovative solutions, with the responsibility for growth. This will require recognizing that entrepreneurs are not simply a number you check off at the end of a financial year, or a work programme formulated to headcount entrepreneurs. This will require the honest realization that of the 400 persons you trained last year in your work programme, is still 400 trained persons now trying to practically build business solutions that can impact lives. They need and demand a different approach. This is the time to be honest and recognize we need to change our approach to supporting founders, those who are pursuing highly risky endeavours with very real solutions to economic and industry problems! This is the time for a mindset change, a skill set upgrade and a complete reset in the way we do and support business! Policy makers this is your time, your time to really be part of that change. One thing is certain however, the region’s entrepreneurs aren’t waiting, we’re going to change it with or without you! This is the time!

inside ten

MedRegis Pitches & Wins a Chance at $1 Million USD TEN Habitat hosted Barbados’ first ever Entrepreneurship World Cup: an international pitch competition, which gives local startup founders a chance at millions! After facing the judges, MedRegis founder, Dale Trotman nabbed the national title and claimed the top prize valued at USD $500-thousand and a chance to become one of 10 fully sponsored Global Finalists who later participated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The international leg of the competition included the opportunity for Trotman to network with potential investors and to pitch MedRegis for up to $1 Million in prizes.

Seven Bajan entrepreneurs made the national finals of the EWC2019, which included 90 thousand entrepreneurs from 186 countries. Local finalists were; Alluhwi

BELLE HOLDER

Comics, Caribbean E Waste Management Inc., Global Tutoring Hub, MedRegis, Nail Lyfe Spa Services, Plant Lyfe Barbados and Red Diamond Compost. Trotman’s company, MedRegis, a health technology startup, is a paperless digital system created to streamline patient care through the check-in to checkout process, which also aims to alleviate physician burnout. Excited by his initial win in Barbados, Trotman shared, “We’re looking to move forward and build, starting first with developing countries in the region, that are still using paper systems for outpatient care.” MedRegis is not only focused on building its local & regional clientele, the company is also attracting attention and building contacts in the African market. “If you look at the US market, there are a whole set

From Left to Right: TEN’s Brand Strategist VickyAnn Hope, Founders of Red Diamond Compost, PlantLyfe Barbados, MedRegis Founder & EWC Winner Dale Trotman, Founders of Nail Lyfe Spa Services, Alluhwi Comics & Caribbean E Waste Mgmt Inc.

of issues plaguing doctors when it comes to health technology, all of which makes it difficult for a start-up to solve. So my aim is to look at the regions where the technology hasn’t kicked off as yet so to speak, and try to do things right from the inception. That will save a lot of time and a lot of money as well.”

experience what it is like to be part of a global competition and have the opportunity to win world class prizes, which will directly help their businesses grow.” Trotman certainly agrees, “You have to be strategic with funding. Competitions are a good way to seek capital, especially coming from the Caribbean, where access to funding is not exactly the same as in the US market. Competitions and grants are a good way to build funding, so I enter competitions with the aim to win! If a competition is offering US $10-thousand and you win it…that would be $10-thousand less to look for when you’re building your company. I also look at areas where I could include my own funds because I see the potential in investing in my myself.”

You have to be strategic with funding.

Most Caribbean entrepreneurs often list funding and attracting investors as their biggest challenges to growing their businesses. That’s where TEN Habitat comes in, supporting and connecting startups to becoming investor ready. TEN’s brand strategist Vickyann Hope who produced the EWC pitch event explained, “The Entrepreneurship World Cup was a great opportunity for our local entrepreneurs to

ThE START

ISRAEL MALLETT

IDEAS TAKE FLIGHT Everything begins with a conversation. That’s a philosophy I still hold to this day. And that’s what started the creative venture that became IDS Creative inc 14 years ago. I always knew I wanted to do something creative. but I couldn’t see myself in a job where I was repeating the same processes day in and day out. Running from the confines of a ‘paper-pushing’ desk job, it was a welcome invitation when my former classmate and friend Kirkland Seale asked if I wanted to go into business together. We worked well together on class projects. We seemed to often end up in the same group projects and would help each other out on solo work, so the real question at the time was ‘Why not?’

When we started IDS on January 13, 2006 - back then we were Imogen Design Studio - modern social media was in its infancy. I remember the day Kirkland called and told me to check out an episode of ‘Punk’d’ on the then new online video platform YouTube (I thought it was spelt UTube.) Starting in the age of social media opened

up opportunities to be more nimble and circumvent more expensive mediums of advertising for ourselves and for our clients. As a design agency in the digital age, social media provided a platform to do some cool things and allowed us to offer alternatives to our clients that may have been limited by the expense of traditional media. In some ways we were getting in on the ground floor, bridging the gap between the traditional and the new. In some ways we were growing and changing as Facebook and Twitter and (later) Instagram were growing and changing. The age of social media also meant that there was a boom in micro-businesses and initiatives that needed branding and design services on an entry level budget. Some of them were the side hustles of postcollege young adults who were starting their entry level jobs but still pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams on the side. This meant there was a captive market of potential clients waiting to be served. For us, starting up would not have been possible without the support of our friends and family.

We both worked remotely from home and handled client meetings in coffee shops and open air venues. It was simple and to the point. In the digital age all that was necessary for a startup was a laptop and a cell phone and you could work anywhere, especially for a design agency. I operated from my bedroom for the first two years until one day, my dad gave me access to a vacant bedroom near the front of the house and then eventually, IDS took over the living room. I am very appreciative of the support of my family. My brother bought me my first Mac when I was in college, which allowed me to do school work and client work independent of the home computer. Just like any startup, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. In addition to family and friends, we met our fair share of clients who actually helped us along, taught us a few things and we learned from their drive and business processes. But there were one or two that sensed how green we were and sought to take advantage. It was a lesson learned early that everyone is not in your corner or on your team; business is business and some people will just be out for themselves. Starting a business while in college means you get in early and get your feet wet but it also means you need discipline. You’re definitely tempted to slack off, especially when working from home, distracted by television, games, and sleeping late. It comes back to bite you. You either learn quickly to tighten up or you wash out and go get a job. And there were temptations. A year after starting IDS, I received a job offer from a leading creative agency at which I had interned and freelanced. I could have easily said yes. But staying committed to the vision of IDS meant making a choice to forego the immediate gratification and tough it out on the longer road to entrepreneurship.

Despite the competitiveness of the industry, there is a lot of camaraderie and we learnt from many of the people whom on some level would become our competitors; however there was a lot of secrecy. It sometimes felt like we were calling for blood when asking established agencies about their pricing methods. No one wanted to share; so we established our own rates and pricing. There were a lot of lessons to be learnt.

There were a lot of lessons to be learnt. Two years in, we took the opportunity to showcase at our first ever business exibition; we quickly realized how much the details matter. In order to get our tech to work we had to borrow power strips and extension cords as there were no plugs nearby. Truly a rookie move. But again, we were surrounded by good people who came to our aid. A fellow exhibitor, a business woman from Jamaica, gave us a piece of advice that was harsh, to the point and changed how we looked at our business image. She approached our booth and asked what services we offered. For us, it was crystal clear but to her, it was vague. And looking back on it she was right. Here words still echo with me today, “I’ll offer you a word of advice, and this one is free. I wouldn’t trust any one to brand my business, who can’t even brand themselves.” We were offended 13

and gutted. Our immediate reaction was ire, but within minutes we recognised that she was right While sitting through one of the presentations we immediately began to redesign our logo on the backs of napkins. To that Jamaican business woman whose name I never got, THANK YOU.

way to building relationships that can lead to bigger and better opportunities. We’ve had a few of those strategic opportunities, with Toni Thorne, creative entrepreneur and philanthropist, the Shins N Boots Football show and others.

Looking back on my business journey, I would advise any creative looking to get into the After Kirkland segued out of the business industry to work for a year in the industry amicably in 2010, I began running solo and eventually incorporated the business under the first, but keep your vision squarely in focus. Don’t allow yourself to get reigned in by the name IDS Creative Inc. Over the years, doing comfort of a ‘job’ but use it to test the waters, various business courses gave me confidence learn about your industry, gain experience in business ownership and operations. and make connections and when the time is These included ‘Business Plan and Project right, launch into the world battle-tested. It’s Proposal Writing’ with the Small Business been 14 years since I started this journey, first Association, ‘Marketing, Public Relations and as a partnership, then as a sole trader, just Advertising’ with UWI Open Campus, various other small business training courses with the writing that down makes it seem unbelievable. I am now at the point where the business is Barbados Youth Business Trust (BYBT) and incorporated, functioning in its own space, ‘The Entrepreneurship Training Programme’ employing a few people and making a creative with the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme mark on the world. Business ownership and (YES). It’s not enough to just have your core entrepreneurship is part preparation, part skills. It’s important to see where those skills good will of others, part learning from your need support and stretch yourself by learning mistakes and having a tenacity to keep going. how to do those things that complement your All of these things combined - not to make you skills, and build a network of people who captain planet - but to make you ready to let can augment what you do and with whom, at your ideas take flight times, you may be able to barter services.

You’re in business to make a profit, yes, but bartering and partnering to add value to your business and to your clients can go a long

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“quote unquote”

“Most people have Mission Statements for their Business, but not one for themselves. If you do not have a personal mission statement, you will stay beholden to your business’ mission statement and neglect your personal health, sleep, nutrition. Just as you put so much into your business you must take care of yourself too.”

Janelle Chase Mayers

Founder Cross Fit 246 & Chief Heart Operator; Fit Chic Movement

IMPACT

DANIELLE TOPPIN & RUSSELL NORVILLE

RETHINKING FOOD SECURITY IN BARBADOS Russell Norville is both a Mechanical Engineer and a Farmer. His business, Exodus Farms, currently specialises in the provision of fresh herbs and vegetables.

Across the Caribbean region, the heavy reliance on the importation of food has repeatedly been identified as an issue of concern. With a regional annual food import bill of over US$4 billion, representing an increase of 50% since 2000, the importation of food has far surpassed national food production as the main source of food for CARICOM populations1. This situation is particularly evident in Barbados; and public dialogue has long centred around the need to adopt innovative and proactive approaches to shift the island’s heavy reliance on food importation. The figures are staggering: With a food import bill of $325 million, approximately 90% of all domestically consumed food is imported. Despite seeming political will to support agricultural development through various initiatives designed to encourage and support agri-businesses; the numerous challenges that the sector faces (e.g. impact of natural disasters, insufficient access to land, water scarcity) highlight the pressing need to generate local solutions to Barbados’ food “problem”.

2015, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). “State of Food Insecurity in the CARICOM Caribbean. Meeting the 2015 hunger targets: Taking stock of uneven progress.” http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5131e.pdf

The adage by the late Carmeta Fraser that “Food Comes First” seems particularly relevant in the current environment; and has stimulated the birth of a number of local businesses seeking to meet the demand for healthy local food, produced in a sustainable and cost effective manner.

One such entrepreneur responding to these challenges is Russell Norville, farmer and owner of Exodus Farms, and a member of The Green Market@ Neil’s collective. Norville readily admits that his entry into farming was first motivated by a personal desire to change his diet and simply, “To know what I am eating”. With no previous experience in farming, Norville’s entry into agriculture came late in life. He thankfully acknowledges that much of what he has learnt has been through trial and error; and from ‘gems of information’ that have been provided by other farmers. He stresses that nature and reality have been his ultimate teachers. In recounting his journey, he describes it as constant observation and innovation. As his own desire for fresh and “chemicalfree” produce increased, so too did his passion for providing healthy options for others. What started as a personal venture has steadily continued to grow into a business that is centred around the use of traditional

farming techniques to supply naturally grown “guilt-free” produce. “My driving force in farming has been to give people high quality food options that are free

What started as a personal venture has steadily continued to grow into a business

from chemicals. I don’t supply produce that I would not consume. By pouring my love of fresh produce into farming, I am able to provide my clients with safer and healthier options. My aim is to demonstrate to those around me that we deserve to produce and consume the best; and that we do not have to depend on anyone else for that.” 19

Despite his use of natural solutions to farming, and refusal to use chemical fertilisers or pesticides, Norville does not use terms such as “organic” produce, instead stressing that the food is naturally grown. “I use nature as my guide”, he says. This includes practices such as composting, soil regeneration with nutrient-dense matter, and utilizing what is available, such as sargassum seaweed, fruit tree leaves and manure as fertilisers; and neem plants as pesticides. As the sole owner and part-time employee on his small farm, growth has been steady though sometimes slow; a fact that Norville welcomes. He notes that in the beginning, his emphasis was on rapid growth, but that the unpredictability of farming reinforced for him the value of patience and consistency. Although he has employed staff in the past, his current focus is on building the farm literally from the ground up. At times this has delayed planting while he focuses on replenishing the soil content by adding organic matter. What this consistently pays off in is produce that is not only free from chemicals, but according to his repeat clients, is both flavourful and visually pleasing. Norville sees his work in agriculture as something much bigger than a business, but rather as a venture that should be profitable, while promoting sustainability. Wherever possible he avoids the use of plastic, usually opting for packaging his produce in paper bags and boxes. Clients are encouraged to return the boxes for their repeat purchases, all with a vision towards a reduction in unnecessary waste.

A key area of focus for this entrepreneur has been passing the knowledge gained on to a younger generation of farmers. With an understanding that farming is seen as an outdated and labour-intensive career that many stay away from, he stresses that farming is life. “One thing that people will always need is food, so I am interested in highlighting the value of farming, and wherever possible, providing employment for others, while experiencing the beauty of being primarily dependant on Nature”. In collaboration with other like-minded agribusiness owners, such as Bernice and Peter Chase of JP Farms, he has formed “The Green Market @Neil’s”, which represents a self-sustaining collective model to the provision of fresh produce and agri-products. The storefront will open later this year 2020, but they have started a weekly Sunday farmer’s market in its Neil’s Plantation, St. Michael location. The various businesses in the collective also support each other’s farms through shared farm days, and by pooling their produce together to meet the demands of clients. They also host farm tours for schools and youth groups. In envisioning what is in store for him and his farm, this “young” farmer reinforces the importance of promoting life and health, and in leaving something of value for future generations. “For me, farming is about justness: what you put in, is what you get out. The same applies to your body. Essentially, I am just motivated by doing my part. Everyone has to do their piece; so I am just making sure that I do mine.”

MAY 22 & 23, 2020

MASTER CLASSES • WORKSHOPS • KEYNOTES • PITCHES • NETWORKING

THIS IS

YOUR

YEAR INVEST IN YOU!

Tickets on sale now! www.caribbeanstartupsummit.com 21

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Indra denys

INTRAPRE Are you or have you ever been in a job where you had great ideas for improving the company, but no one listened, not one idea considered or possibly implemented? Have you ever yearned for a work environment that fostered collaborations and conversations that could drive the corporate vision forward and create a culture of togetherness, while serving the client or customer base? I bet you answered yes to one or more of these questionsâ&#x20AC;Śthat makes you a potential intrapreneur!

ntrapreneurs are self-motivated, proactive, and action-oriented people

An intrapreneur is someone lucky enough to work in an environment, which is defined as a system that allows an employee to act like an entrepreneur within an organization. According to investopedia.com, intrapreneurs are self-motivated, proactive, and actionoriented people who take the initiative to pursue an innovative product or service. Intrapreneurship is changing the way innovative companies do business; so, how can it change the cultural landscape of a company for the better?

Research shows that when people are personally invested in an idea, and invited to become part of the implementation process, it changes their level of interest and enhances their focus on the vision and reinforces their loyalty to the collective. Employees are often hired because of

ENEURSHIP their qualifications, proficiency, character and work experience - but what about their ideas, talents and skills? Very often, these core attributes are overlooked, however it’s very possible that the problems many companies currently face, and already have a bank of solutions stirring within its existing employee creative database. The first bonus of this approach is that individuals operating as intrapreneurs within an organization can develop and apply the mindset of an entrepreneur without incurring any personal financial investment. When we consider the connection between things like quality of customer service and employee morale, it makes a good case for organizations struggling with these very issues to implement a fresh format. One way to empower staff members is by maximizing their skills and talents to serve clients and customers more efficiently. This goes a long way toward shaping and rejuvenating a company that has a sustainable approach to conducting business. For the company’s leaders, transparency is needed and it’s somewhat of a brave step to

invite employees into the cogs and wheels of the business while sharing problems and the overall vision. However, when employees are actively invested in the well-being and growth of the organization, it facilitates a consistent team effort and collaborative corporate environment that is focused on the sustainability of the business for the betterment of all. Top level information like marketing strategies, key client contacts and financial records can remain confidential but facilitating forward-thinking communal conversations with staff creates a resource pool to be tapped into; one that can serve an organization well for the present and future. Canadian Author, award-winning communications & marketing executive and former head of PR for Microsoft Canada, Chitra Anand is at the forefront of the intrapreneurship movement. She explained how this innovative business model could affect staff morale and re-shape companies from the inside out, “Employees feel empowered; employees can express ideas. You see them become more accountable. You see them becoming more trusting. Once they feel this, they begin to start doing things like experimenting, collaborating, and challenging

the status quo. Most importantly, they start to shift their behaviours from being employees to being stakeholders.” The best-selling author of, The Greenhouse Approach; Cultivating Intrapreneurship in Companies & Organizations, was a featured speaker at the 2019 Caribbean Startup Summit in Barbados. Anand emphasizes that an organization operating with intrapreneurship principals makes room for intentional innovation and further serves as a platform that can support the talent needed for innovation while corralling creative thinking and avoiding an attitude of inertia. She explained, “When we are able to see things through a different lens and from different perspectives, this is how community and culture are developed.” Anand believes that, “The ideal intrapreneur always questions the why. Intrapreneurs are always asking why things are as they are, how things can be improved, and what there is to be discovered.” She also shared some preparatory steps an organization can take to make the progressive steps toward fostering a culture of intrapreneurship, “First, reimagine how we collaborate. For example, when you are around a boardroom table, we are so stuck in consensus thinking when we are making decisions. The fact of the matter is, consensus thinking is very limiting when we are trying to drive innovative culture. The innovation lies within the debate of a discussion. We are so stuck and fixated on majority thinking but we need to realize that there is power in minority thinking.”

Many of us who have worked in small or large organizations and have experienced the corporate structure, know first hand that there are layers of rules and protocol that employees must follow. Anand rebuffs, “Rules are rigid, they represent action and consequence, which kills creativity; guiding principles are just that, they are malleable, flexible, they are focused on us achieving what we want to achieve – the end goal, rather than us being stuck within a structure.” When asked how she envisions intrapreneurship growing within the next five years, Anand shared, “I believe that intrapreneurship will be the new norm for sustainability within large organizations. It will be how most organizations will begin to operate. Organizations will realize that this will be their play for sustainable growth, development and diversification.” Millennials, unlike their parents and their grandparents before them, are not satisfied to punch the clock and count widgets, theirs is an attitude of ownership, opinion and disruption. Therefore the implementation of an intrapreneurship model is perhaps inevitable and is destined to reshape the way organizations operate and interact with their employees in order to ensure a sustainable company that thrives on creative thinking, camaraderie and innovation while facilitating communication between management and employees to better serve clients. This in turn will have an immensely positive impact on a company’s success and bottom line

THE

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ENTREPRENEURS

Jonathan Cho

Yelluh Meat; Culture in a Breadfruit Bowl The smoke rose off the grill and danced through the air, the aroma of roasted breadfruit wafted around us, encircling our senses and expectant taste buds. The scenery is rustic, bare bones even, offering up an authentic culinary Barbadian experience of culture in a bowl, a Yelluh Meat breadfruit bowl. As I sank my fork into to the hearty sweet mishmash of breadfruit and my chosen topping of pickled pigtails, I glanced around, craving the chance to sink my fork into some of the other fixings my group members had selected, mince meat, oooh…red herring or pulled pork! In 2015, Caribbean entrepreneurs, Dwight Forde and Kim Hamblin created a unique dining experience, with a clear vision. Delicious Bajan breadfruit bowls with local toppings presented as a ‘Build Your Own Bowl’ adventure. Since then their brain-child, Yelluh Meat has become a must-have

on the Bajan food scene. Their perfect blend of innovation and entrepreneurship has their supporters hungry for the next new thing. However, it isn’t just about the incredible products they are creating, it is about the business values that go into each product that we need to see more of. Yelluh Meat took something beloved by a nation that wasn’t readily available and made it accessible to all. They figured out how to respect a treasured tradition while making it their own. Roasting breadfruits is a favourite of many Barbadians because it is delicious, but it is difficult, time consuming work. It usually accompanies a day at the beach with a bonfire, family and friends. It takes time to properly roast a breadfruit, allowing for time to lime, talk and drink. Basically, if you are invited to roast breadfruits, you are in for a few hours of good times and good vibes. As Bajans get busier there is less time for long afternoons on the beach, to wait for a breadfruit to roast. Nonetheless, we still crave that flavourful food and those close interactions. Kim and Dwight were able to mitigate this dying tradition by creating Yelluh Meat. They provided us with the opportunity to pass on the tradition with less of the work and better toppings. It isn’t exactly the same experience, but it creates a space that makes the food approachable and appetizing. This is exactly what we need more of, entrepreneurs who take local customs and save them through thoughtful business. Yelluh Meat isn’t the first eatery to put roasted breadfruit on their menu and because of the growing popularity and desire for the cultural delicacy, every business savvy restauranteur in Barbados has tried to create their own incarnation of a breadfruit bowl. The difference is that Yelluh Meat isn’t just trying to sell you a breadfruit, they are trying to show you the best of Barbadian culture. It could have been called, ‘Breadfruit Bowls’ or even ‘Yellow Meat’, however Yelluh Meat is undeniably

Entrepreneurs Kim Hamblin and Dwight Forde of Yelluh Meat

Bajan. It lets the average Bajan know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the menu just from hearing the name. While naming your business after a local colloquialism that some people may not understand may seem like a way to exclude customers, in this case, it speaks directly to the people who would appreciate a good roasted breadfruit. Moreover, it taps into the tourism market by not giving them what is familiar, but by letting them sample the best of the country they are visiting through an authentic culinary street food experience. For many years the tourism industry of Barbados was monopolized by companies trying to give visitors a product that made them feel at home while on vacation however, there has been a recent trend of nationalism. Barbadians want to showcase what makes them special. Visitors are looking for an exclusive experience that they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have anywhere else. Yelluh Meat not only understands this trend, they encourage it. The way they serve breadfruit bowls is unique, furthermore the build your bowl experience makes it personalized. Exactly the type of

encounter a jaded citizen of the world wants. Something that feels tied to a noteworthy culture, creating a remarkable experience. Understanding what makes a culture distinct takes insight. Creating a product that respects and nurtures that culture takes hard work. Filling a void with that product in a way that is accessible to the world takes entrepreneurship. These are the traits Yelluh Meat seamlessly exhibits in their products and exactly what we need more of. For Dwight and Kim breadfruit bowls are just the beginning, the co-founders are constantly working on ways to evolve their business to create interesting dining experiences. On your next trip to Barbados head to their flagship location in Black Rock, St. Michael and be sure to try their yam poppers or the newest addition to the menu, delectable breadfruit tacos. Follow Kim & Dwight Instagram @ yelluhmeat to keep up with all their new Yelluh Meat ventures

Jonathan Cho is a travel and food enthusiast and the founder of HowWeEat.net

YOU CAN LEARN TO CODE www.sourcecodedeveloper.com

INNOVATION

SPARKING INNOVATION Indra denys Your best ideas put into action, access to a team of bright minds, and a space to identify social problems and share innovative solutions. This is at the core of Spark Innovation Lab, an initiative by Selwyn Cambridge, founder of Barbados-based entrepreneurial co-working and education space, TEN Habitat. I’m sure we can each think of at least three problems affecting our community or our country. Perhaps you’ve already come up with ideas on how those challenges can be addressed or resolved. You may have even shared those views with a small group or listened in on a conversation where people discussed their concerns and pitched their solutions to common problems. Spark Innovation Lab provides an opportunity to become a part of the solution.

Cambridge shares, “The vision is to develop a prototype that can go towards the implementation stage. The process is one of rapid experimentation so as to test quickly, garner feedback and take action. It’s a physical facility where we function like an experimentation space. We bring a number of people together with diverse skill sets to be able to work on a singular common cause.” A serial entrepreneur himself, Cambridge added, “Spark essentially crowd-sources innovation. We take these diverse views, skillsets and perspectives and we use the startup methodology, the thinking like an entrepreneur, structuring like an entrepreneur - moving as quickly as a startup, to attack problems.” The Lab identifies a common cause and selects a maximum of five team members, who are assigned a specific social problem

and are invited to conceptualize a proactive solution over the course of a few weeks. However Spark Innovation Lab teams will not work in a vacuum, they will draw on their diverse backgrounds, experiences and areas of expertise while leveraging feedback from communities, audiences, consumers, organizations and ministerial departments that are affected by the problem.

Spark Innovation Lab seeks to expand its reach by hosting public workshops and corporate seminars to motivate the greater community and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. The movement aims to apply startup methodologies combined with entrepreneurial thinking to drive innovation.

This exercise connects people from various career backgrounds with different areas of expertise and also affords an opportunity to present the solutions to leaders within the related industry. They can then be commissioned as consultants on the implementation of the proposed project. Officially launched in February 2019, Spark Innovation Lab aims to become a professional idea-generating hub where strategic action is used to efficiently resolve national issues. At present, the Spark teams are examining solutions for de-centralized power, housing and Non-Communicable Diseases [NCDs].

The Lab refers to people who come forward to pitch a cause, as problem owners. A problem-brief is designed and a team selected and assigned to hack the problem and conceptualize a solution within a three-tofour week timeframe. Issues within the public sector, healthcare, marketing, development, and youth are some of the most pressing.

Cambridge expanded on the approach toward resolving problems, “It’s a very consultative process. To understand this, you need to understand the lean startup process. You go through stages of rapid experimentation; you develop your idea - develop prototypes and test them quickly, and then gather feedback based on the results from those tests. Then you implement the solution. It’s never a group of individuals just being insular in their approach.”

A Spark team includes an innovation lead, a research lead, project managers and a design lead. To be selected as a team member, requires interest, expertise, a willingness to collaborate, and availability. While it is not a paid position, there are many benefits to being a member of a Spark team. Chiefly, the opportunity to formally present the opportunity to formally present the project and be considered as a consultant at the implementation stage.

He further explained the objective, “By the end of the process, we would have developed a prototype that can go towards the implementation stage. We’re not a research

Spark Innovation Lab can be described as a borderless society where bright minds meet physically and virtually to execute their best ideas to alleviate the nation’s problems. They expect to tackle approximately six issues per year.

Mindset is key for the implementation of strategies group. We are literally a group based on innovation and doing - we are a bunch of doers. We look at ways to design innovative solutions to common systemic problems that are faced by either the public or private sector - pulling these themes together - we literally work on problems - hack them - come up with active solution or prototype, and then put it to the market to test and develop.” The vision includes launching the region’s first innovation lab and it is well poised to do so. Spark presently include experts from Barbados, the region and internationally, in the areas of Design, Intrapraneurship, A.I and Medicine.

Mindset is key for the implementation of strategies that uplift and advance society for the betterment of the nation. Spark Innovation Lab is paving the way and setting the bar for a successful journey ahead. Cambridge added, “We have an amazing opportunity in front of us right now.” People are motivated when they are enfranchised and have a stake in the solution, so they know they are a part of the growth process. Spark Innovation Lab gives them access to a space where they can apply their expertise, sound their voice and develop their problem-solving ideas in a team environment. While the concept is not new, it is needed in the Caribbean and the aim is to avoid becoming a culture of complaint and complacency by alternatively creating a society and developing a culture that drives progress and propels the nation forward

TEN XTRA

tips for the

business of Writing

1 3

In the Caribbean, if you want to get paid to write, write everything. Do not pigeonhole yourself into one defined genre.

Build your digital community

Neysha Soodeen CEO MACO Magazines /Toute Bagai Publishing

If you want to writeâ&#x20AC;Śread!

Be prepared to market yourself and pay your dues. The marketing and promotional aspect of being a writer is just as important as the writing itself.

Never edit your own work, your eyes will deceive you every time.

Daphne Ewing Chow Writer & Editor-in-Chief Living Barbados

caribbean startup summit

#CSS

# kerri birch

entre preneur ship is a big deal 34

Entrepreneur is todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buzzword. This one-word catchphrase is so popular that it has ignited a stream of spinoff terms such as momtrepreneur, kidtrepreneur, womentrepreneur or blacktrepreneur just to name a few. Needless to say, in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world, the quest of entrepreneurship is a big deal. You automatically become a part of a movement fuelled by motivational tools such as print articles, books, podcasts, conferences and broadcasts being held in most cities around the world, imploring you to hone your entrepreneurial mindset. But even with these many resources, running your own business can feel like navigating a maze. Many entrepreneurs traverse the experience carefully and fearfully. In the Caribbean, the culture of startups and motivational events is a bit different from North America and Europe, ours is a fairly new and developing industry that often confuses entrepreneurship with operating a business. Entrepreneurs in the USA have access to huge seminars like the 10X Growth Conference created by American real estate mogul, Grant Cardone, while entrepreneurs in the UK can attend the annual World of Business Forum in London.

SERVING CARIBBEAN BUSINESSES Enter the Caribbean Startup Summit [CSS] in Barbados, created and produced by Selwyn Cambridge, the Founder & Creative Director of The Entrepreneurial Network [TEN] Habitat. Launched in 2016, CSS has been establishing itself as the go-to conference for Caribbean startups and entrepreneurs, essentially filling a void from its inception for the past four years. Having missed the first three years of CSS, which were staged at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference Centre, I watched from the sidelines as the summit grew, attracting my fellow entrepreneurship colleagues in an energectic environment of gathering and learning.

you could feel a buzz and an energy in the air accompanied by a rhythmic cacophony of accents from neighbouring islands, all of which signalled that this experience was truly for the Caribbean entrepreneur. The US Embassy to Barbados the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS stamped their support and approval for the CSS by awarding 20 lucky startup founders with all expenses

recognise the amazing power that can be derived from collaboration.

I had gotten reviews from friends and contemporaries and saw the activities lighting up their social media timelines! When the repeated question came for 2019, “Are you coming to the Caribbean Startup Summit?” My answer was a resounding “YES!”

paid access to the event. The US Embassy competition attracted entrepreneurs from Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & The Grenadines.

For the first time, the two-day event was held at the Limegrove Cinemas on Barbados’ West Coast. From the moment of arrival

The presence of these regional startups solidified one of the key messages from CSS producer, Selwyn Cambridge, “This is the

time we stop believing that every business around us in Barbados and the Caribbean are our competitors and instead recognise the amazing power that can be derived from collaboration.” Being a part of this Caribbean audience meant something special. Regional entrepreneurs, were together for the first

There has never been more of a time for change and the way we do business than now! time, fully seeing one another and through participation in the numerous sessions were slowly realising how to work together. The Caribbean unity did not stop at the attendees as some speakers waved their Caribbean flags including the Founder of Blue Mahoe Partners Inc, Jamaican, David Mullings. “I expected great panelists from both the USA and the Caribbean region as well as a strong cohort of startups that were not only from tech. I was not disappointed at all. My expectations were exceeded,” Mullings said. “It was well organized, I liked the immense diversity of the panelists and I was pleased at the number of female panelists.” I too noticed the strong female presence, in both the panelists and the attendees. That

was heartwarming because we typically hear the entrepreneurship story from the male perspective. But now the business world is changing, evident just by looking around the room. Speakers were from all different backgrounds all over the world, some young, some older, male, and female. It was imperative that we heard the story told from HER perspective and I applaud the CSS for recognising that. First time CSS attendee, Grenadian jewellery designer, Tamara Prosper who founded the company Tambran by Tamara, specializes in manufacturing trinkets from recyclable materials. Prosper cites her Summit takeaway as the presentation by Podcaster, Nicaila Matthews Okome; the startup founder of Side Hustle Pro, which today has close to two million downloads. Prosper shared, “She (Nicaila) embodies a lot of the sentiments and issues that I face personally. She highlighted the WHY’s of starting her side hustle, which developed into a full-fledged business. She started everything in a room in her house. This resonated with me since it emphasizes the fact that you don’t have to start big to start. You don’t need all the fancy-dancies to start and to be impactful. It shows that whatever you do, give it your best and make the end product great!” I attended #CSS19 with two other members of my team at 13 Degrees North. As the Summit offered a variety of great topics, which ran simultaneously, our plan of action included attending different sessions, while one of us took advantage of the networking

opportunities. We were particularly interested in the sessions on Social Media Marketing, Investment and Product Development. Netflix Product Designer Mariam Braimah taught us how we could use certain techniques to define our target markets. This was a big take away for me and highlighted the fact that knowledge can be gained in places you might not at first deem relevant. One all-day session that caught the attention of corporate Barbados was Intrapreneurship, facilitated by best selling Author and award winning communications & marketing executive, Canadian, Chitra Anand. The concept of intrapreneurship is to foster the spirit of entrepreneurship within organisations to help drive innovation, creative thinking, and new ideas. This topic is new and fascinating to me. Kimberley Cox, a Customer Experience Officer at Sagicor, who attended the Intrapreneurship session was equally fascinated, “I do believe Caribbean business would definitely benefit if they allowed employee teams to take more ownership of their company’s vision and success.” Cox added, “Recreating a strategy similar to Amazon’s will open their doors to dynamic, creative, intelligent, enabled teams who will make them stronger players in the world market.” One of the major events of the Summit was the Pitch Pit Competition where startups had the opportunity to pitch their business to a panel of judges and infront of the Summit audience for a chance to win $5000 USD in prizes and perhaps attract investors. I have done pitch competitions before and it takes

guts to stand infront of people who “hold your future in their hands”, along with a roomful of colleagues, while you try to convey your vision in three minutes or less. In spite of some obvious nervousness and some technical failures with their presentations, what rung true was the passion that each Pitch participant had for their product. Although only one person would receive the prize all of the presenting entrepreneurs won the attention and support of the audience and the judging panel; Selwyn Cambridge, Baiju Soulanki of EnSpirit Global UK and Rovina Broomfield of Amazon USA. Some of the Caribbean companies included jewellery made from recycled materials, men’s grooming services, branded apparel, tech devices and mobile apps were all a part of the competition. In the end, the overall winner was St. Lucia’s Martin Hanna, the Founder of Penny Pinch, a mobile coupon app. The Caribbean Startup Summit 2019 Pitch Pit winner recalls, “I didn’t expect the pitch competition to be on that scale in front of the entire audience, when I did find out, I was excited that I got to speak.” Hanna recalls, “That would of been my largest crowd.” Three months after the competition, he reports that the mentorship provided thus far has been great and has allowed him to grow his business and prepare for a second full launch. The 2019 Summit culminated in the never before held, Beach, Bonfire & Breadfruits at Infinity On The Beach Hotel in Barbados’ St. Lawrence Gap, an after summit cool down where everyone could continue the conversation and rub shoulders in a much

more relaxed setting. B3, as we affectionately referred to the after party, was my other Summit highlight! Throw away the stage and the microphone that in some ways separated the speaker and the attendee; let’s head to the beach after sunset, feet in the sand, chowing down on breadfruit bowls by Yelluh Meat, a street-food ambrosia experience inspired by traditional roasted breadfruit, the ocean air punctuated by soca music, it was a bonding experience! Learning from one another, letting our hair down and encouraging dance-offs, true Caribbean style. As the rhythm of the drums from the cultural presentation and the laughter from our newly formed CSS 2019 family filled the air, Selwyn

Cambridge’s words echoed, “There has never been more of a time for change and the way we do business than now! Our sons and daughters must grow up benefitting from a business support system, which embraces exploration, experimentation and investment in ideas!”

This could mean taking the Caribbean Start Up to other islands as well. Why not?

This year’s Caribbean Startup Summit #CSS2020 is scheduled for May 22nd & 23rd in Barbados, learn more at www.caribbeanstartupsummit.com

TEN questions with

Designer Julia Benn

Founder of JulBeArt Interiors & JulBeArt Gardens

The concept of interior decorating has come a long way. In the western world, where most homes are no longer made from wood, mud and plant-based materials, decorating the spaces we live, work, study and relax in now include things like hiring a professional, scanning digital blueprints, perusing comprehensive paint palettes, and installations of conversation pieces. Trends include designs that are modern, environmentally friendly, practical and stylish. At a time when there are now over 50,000 interior designers in the U.S. and both sustainability and functionality are now being taken into consideration, it may seem hard to stand out amidst the masses and embrace the environmental factor. Meet interior decorator and gardening professional, Julia Benn, who fuses nature and style to create beautiful and practical spaces for others to enjoy. This trained artist and successful crea-tive entrepreneur is based in the U.S. and also has a key connection with the Caribbean. Cohe-sively combined, her portfolio showcases beautiful spaces influenced by her creative vision, dec-orating expertise, gardening gift and exceptional eye for merging wellsuited colours and com-plimenting textures with luxury furnishings, and installations to produce chic settings. Growing up in a family of creative business

owners introduced her to a proactive way of steering a fruitful career as an artist, and the JulBe brand is making consistent strides in the design field and building a loyal highprofile client roster. Beautifying spaces to suit the needs and objectives of her clientele involves a lot of hard work and long hours. Along with her team, Julia is always up for the challenge and believes loving what you do makes a world of difference to your entrepreneurial attitude. 1. Were you always interested in decor, photography and gardening, what inspired you to start your own business? I was raised by entrepreneurs, my late mother Junifer, stepfather Carl, Dad, and Aunt Iola all ran successful businesses, for me this was very inspiring. I’ve always had an interest in art, interior design and photography since I was very young but my first visit to NYC in 1980 was life changing. My mother was instrumental in teaching me the basics in interior decorating. She had exquisite taste. I often assisted her as she decorated our home, particularly with the tablescapes. My stepdad, a master joiner by trade, had a

workshop next to our home, which provided me with lessons on wood species and bespoke fine furniture. By age 15, I knew that I wanted to study interior design. Having grown up on an amazing farm, the gardening came naturally. 2. What are some key character traits and training that would make a successful interior designer? Studying the rudiments and theory of interior design is essential in becoming a successful de-signer. It’s crucial to enroll in some kind of course, learning and becoming a master in basic ar-chitecture, drafting, CAD, lighting design, space planning, furniture styles, antiques, textiles, decorative accessories, paint colours, faux finishes, trompe l’oeils, understanding the importance of art in a space and business management! You’ve got to embrace diverse styles, never stop learning, keep abreast in your field and embrace new technology. You must have a love and passion for what you do, derive inspiration from everywhere, be extremely driven, organized and professional. You’ve got to have great listening skills, as you are part designer and part therapist.

3. What does a day working from home and a day working at a site look like? I have an office and separate space for a design studio in my home. On any given day, I’m an-swering calls, replying to emails, managing the social media platforms, researching product online, meeting with an artist, antiquing, visiting furniture showrooms; stone yards, lumber yards, tile shops, paint and wallpaper stores, blinds and custom window treatment centers, textile showrooms etc. I may have to collect photo enlargements or make a trip to the frame shop. On site, there’s a lot of project management. Working with subcontractors, dealing with different personalities, making sure all jobs are executed to a high standard. This is where my astute ana-lytical mind goes into overdrive, my attention to details work to my advantage. 4. How do you make room to nurture your various creative talents and still set aside time for family, friends, hobbies and rest? There’s always the balancing act. Like most creative, my work consumes me. I have very late hours, especially when it’s installation

time and I travel constantly. I have made a rule to never work on Sundays, that’s my day to rest, cooking up a storm and enjoying my family. 5. How long have you been an entrepreneur? I started JulBe Art & Interiors in 1997, when I lived in NY but I’ve been an entrepreneur since my late teens. 6. What core team members or outsourced contractors are integral in managing your interior design business? I couldn’t do my work without a team of skilled artisans and contractors. The carpenters, master joiners, painters, tilers, masons, electricians, plumbers, the stone top installers etc. all play an in-tegral part in bringing my vision to fruition. 7. Are there any milestones, past or present, which we can celebrate with you? I am currently working on an almost 4,000 square foot, 15 room estate home for a young home-owner. Invoking her vibrant personality

and watching the rooms come to life is pure joy! In 2016, I exhibited at the Barbados embassy for Passport DC. Abstract artwork. It was a portrait I did of my Dad, Barbados’ Cultural Ambassador, celebrated Calypsonian & musician Anthony ‘Gabby’ Carter. I also showed photography from my Cuba series. Passport DC is a monthlong cultural journey around the world, highlighting DC’s thriving international diplomatic communi-ty. More than 40 embassies, participated in the ‘Around the World Embassy Tour’. 8. What memories stand out when you reflect on your entrepreneurial journey? For four years I owned and managed the JulBe Art & Interiors Design Studio, Art Gallery and Salon. I created history becoming the first Black woman to open and own a design studio, art gallery and salon simultaneously in Barbados’ historic Speightstown. While occupying the top floor of a seaside, 18th century stone building, this center was so much more than a place to exer-cise my creative juices. I showcased the works of several local artists as well as my own. Consultations, makeovers, photo shoots, interviews, art shows and other events were all conducted there. My late beloved Mum visited daily; my friends, family, fellow artists and neighbouring school children frequented. I have a lifelong love

relationship with Speightstown and have since adopted her sister city of Charleston, South Carolina. 9. What words of encouragement and insight can you share with aspiring entrepreneurs? Be consistent and driven. Do the necessary work and research. Entrepreneurship is challenging, you will meet hurdles and swift turns, but you must not be discouraged. Be well prepared and be relentless in pursuing your dreams, for the rewards will be endless!

10. You’re an artist and creative entrepreneur who worked hard to reach where you are. Do you think seeing your dad, Mighty Gabby, be successful in a creative career inspired you to embrace a life in The Arts? I was supposed to go to law school, like my brother and sister did, but it just wasn’t my passion. I inherited my dad’s strong creative gene. As a little girl growing up in the Arts, I would go with him to rehearsals and the studio with Uncle Eddy (Grant), I would be backstage at events and at meetings with calypsonians. I always loved interior design and pursuing a career in that field was my choice and my passion.

11. Bonus Question: What was one of your most recent decorating assignments? I recently designed and decorated a home office with kitchenette and ‘fun zone’ with a 12ft black and white mural of the Brooklyn Bridge. The area featured 9ft ceilings!

Julia Benn is an Interior Designer, Home Stager, Event Decorator and Photographer based in Delaware, U.S. Visit her on Facebook and Instagram: JulbeartInteriors & JulbeartGardens

TEN XTRA

Beverley Corke Image Management Consultant TBB ‘Image & Branding’

Your physical self is the living logo for your personal brand and your personal brand is not how you see yourself, but rather how others see you. Your visual presence must have integrity and reflect what you are doing. If what you are saying does not match what you are doing, people will not buy it.

I saw the exact moment the twinkle appeared in his eyes… He sat in front of the computer and his fingers connected with the keyboard… He was just told, “You can create your own video games not just play someone else’s games on YouTube…”

That twinkle meant the realization that he could now be a creator, a programmer, or a seven-year-old coder!

KEOMA MALLETT Instagram & Twitter: @codebykeoma

Less than one year ago Barbados got its first coding school, the Source Code Developer Academy (SCDA), which is located at TEN Habitat in Bridgetown. This awesome option has made coding accessible to everyone, as the SCDA offers classes for students starting from seven-years-old and up. Be the first to enroll your little one in an afterschool-coding programme that can benefit him or her well into their teens and adulthood. This is a choice for which the benefits will no doubt redound well into your child’s future, perhaps equipping them for a tech career that seems inevitable.

Coding is the art of breaking down a task into one or more sets of instructions My name is Keoma Mallett and I teach coding using the JavaScript programming language and the Phaser desktop and mobile game framework. What inspires me is a passion for learning and creating, helping others to do the same, and a love for playing video games. Follow me on social media on Instagram and Twitter. Happy coding!

Coding is the art of breaking down a task into one or more sets of instructions and presenting it in a way that a computerised system can read and execute, in order to accomplish the task. Some common uses of coding are, Web, App, or Game development, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. At such a pivotal time in the economic growth of Barbados and the Caribbean, new avenues should be pursued on a

Learn to Code! national scale across age groups, to assist in the development of the country. One avenue worth exploring is coding.

computer or tablet, it does not require a lot to start learning and building and no prerequisite coding knowledge required.

Imagine Barbados as a hub, for creative tech solutions, that thrives through the collaboration of highly skilled coders, working toward solving problems both local and foreign. If this idea excites you, that means you can see the potential economic benefits! This means that you too can see the gains from local projects being sold in foreign markets, and/or foreign projects being developed here in the Eastern Caribbean!

Good, inexpensive computers, whether new or used, can be sourced online through social media marketplaces, online stores, or through friends and family. Last year, I was able to get four laptops through trading and charity, by reaching out to my WhatsApp network. One of which, is currently being utilized by one of my coding students.

There are always problems to solve - old ideas to refresh, and new ones to bring to life. As a result, there is a high and increasing demand for coders locally, regionally and internationally. While coding can be mentally taxing, at times (no illusions here), it is also a fun, expressive, creative, and lucrative field. Being able to create something out of nothing is truly magical, and while coding does require time, energy, and the means, laptop, desktop

As an example of how much can be done with little investment, I have been using my only problem-free laptop (a 10-year-old Dell 1545) for learning, developing small projects, and teaching, over the past year. Before I met my second student, who is now nine-years-old, he was using online resources to learn coding. Most children relish the opportunity for tech time; learning to code shows them new possibilities and educational pathways to the future

Conne Leveraging Relationships And Mentorship

Barbados has been developing into a startup space where Generation Z, Millennials, and Xennials are thriving to become influencers in their spaces of business, charity and industry at a much faster and cost-effective rate than ever before.

stacia Browne

A mentor is described as an experienced and trusted adviser. A person chosen to advise or train. Mentors are usually experienced, senior or more mature or trained individuals who can guide others with less experience in a particular industry, category or even mindset with strategy, guidelines, industry knowledge and network capacity. Without a doubt mentorship is fundamental to startups. In fact it should be a synergy for both the mentee who is receiving guidelines and strategy on interacting with their market, seeking out opportunity and transforming opportunity to client relationship, and the mentor too can benefit to some great degree. Learning and traversing new technologies, industry techniques can become specific benefits for mentors. The head of Projects and Programming at The Entrepreneurial Network [TEN Habitat] Peter Thompson, says one of the most important pieces of advice for mentees is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Learn to listen with intent. Good listening does not come naturally to many entrepreneurs because they are much more focused on being heard.â&#x20AC;?

onne tions Thompson who advises entrepreneurs on a daily basis, emphasized, “The most important people to listen to are customers and potential customers, so an entrepreneur needs to stay focused and make a real effort to actively listen.” He added, “Active listening means more than paying close attention; you also need to check to make sure that you really understood what you are being told as well as use follow up questions to probe deeper.”

relationship, starts off with the fundamental principles of honesty, integrity and trust.”

It is obvious mentees usually come with an amazing energy particularly in spaces such as TEN Habitat in Barbados. TEN has become a hub for startup businesses to take flight and scale up, rather than simply remaining as thoughtful or creative ideas.

In the current business environment a mentorship relationship requires full commitment and engagement by both parties. In fact, lead mentors are reporting that, flexibility to engage mentees on their varying needs is one of the most critical competencies of mentors in today’s environment. Which is key to ensuring sustainability and leveraging the relationship. According to Dr. Brandon, who has experience in designing and implementing structured or unstructured mentorship programmes, “Never have I seen trust established from the get go. It is how the mentor and the mentee approach the relationship and the habits, attitudes, values, behaviours and emotional intelligence that they display to each other, which will build trust.”

Managing Director of the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods, Dr. Marcia Brandon says, “The key elements to a sound mentoring relationship, similar to a good marriage, or any other good

Business Coach and Marketer Corey McClean, who himself is an Entrepreneur, explains, “An effective mentor needs to be their mentee’s guide through uncertainty, sounding board and cheerleader. Most importantly they must

a mentorship relationship requires full commitment & engagement by both parties.

understand, which version is most required at each stage. Some days my job is just to listen. Other days I light a fire under them to achieve results, big or small.â&#x20AC;? This is also hinged on effective communication. For mentees to take full advantage of their mentorship they must be able to unpack the competencies and advice of their mentor to impact their business needs and respond to the market or establish opportunities. This can be specific to financing, product development or marketing. But mentorship relationships are not limited to geographic space either. Some mentor-mentee relationships are maintained using skype, WhatsApp or other

telecommunications options to have longdistance meetings and updates. The mentor must have a full understanding of the market or the industry, in which the mentee is based. What works in one market may not work in another and will require some level of adaptation. Social media platforms can also be utilized as tools to build mentorship relationships and these can even evolve toward commercialization, which is beyond mentorship to the form of a brand, charity, cause or partnership. If the two have reached a certain comfort level and also have synergy that works well for them, strategizing on partnerships (though rare) is definitely a possibility. This can begin with developing an online brand on social media platforms that their demographics use, along with following each other, tagging, developing hashtags, going live, having watch parties. Social media platforms are tools that can build brands and partnerships in a very strategic way. Leveraging the technology thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available is one of the key methods applied for building relationships. Also, once a meaningful connection is made between a startup and influencers who can endorse a product or service particularly on social media and other online tools, then the capacity to earn and build brand awareness can be uniquely

and effectively used to push forward in any market. Effective mentorship requires responsibility and accountability on both the parties, as it builds toward a goal, value, learning, leadership, transfer, engagement and encouragement. Business coach Corey McClean expanded on this and shared that, “Serving as a mentor and helping multiple businesses think through issues has always allowed me to be able to ‘see around the corners.’ Being able to call on such expertise is a massive advantage for mentees and they should seek such connections with mentors who can add value and authenticity for the business endeavours.” At no other time in recent history have young budding entrepreneurs had access with such ease to marketing particularly with social media platforms, which has enhanced the capacity to increase branding and product delivery. But irrespective of the savvy technology the basics of trust, commitment

and integrity are still resoundingly the important parts of a mentorship relationship that can be leveraged and bring important growth to both parties. With respect to the proliferation of technology, TEN Habitat’s head of projects & programming, Peter Thompson explains, “Business is both an art and a social science. It requires creativity, but creativity will not get you far without the ability to build productive social linkages with other human beings. There is an element of mentorship in all of these.” Leveraging mentorship relationships has been a staple in entrepreneurship, and professional development for decades and has evolved into a new phenomenon. The mind set of paying it forward, each one reach one and each one teach one, has a resoundingly positive impact for both the mentor and the mentee

Pop Up For Profit

Is the Retail Apocalypse Upon Us? Probably not, but we must admit that with the closing of major international retail locations such as Payless ShoeSource and Forever 21, there is a major shift happening worldwide in how people buy and sell.

Nadine Jack

While online shopping on sites such as Amazon continues to proliferate and major international retail stores like Walmart and Target offer E-shopping as an added feature, a drive through almost any city will reveal numerous vacant storefronts and ‘for rent’ signs in prime locations for businesses. There has also been an emergence of new and creative ways to engage with customers. After all, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and who needs another proverbial ‘ghost town’ shopping mall? One method that has been at the forefront of regional trends is the ‘Pop-Up’ shop. Although the pop-up concept can be traced back centuries to Christmastime Vienna or merchants plying their wares to moving armies in Egypt, this short-term shop is still a go-to option

for many emerging businesses and brands. A pop-up store or event is where a vendor temporarily occupies a space for a short amount of time and sells a tangible product, although services can be made available as well. This sale period can be as short as a few hours and sometimes as long as a week or a month, but one thing that is common to the concept is the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;call to actionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; it creates amongst potential buyers.

to change with the times just as traditional retailing is influenced by societal and cultural developments.

Since customers are made aware that the goods on offer at a pop-up will only be available to them at that specific location momentarily, they may be more inclined to make a purchase or risk missing out on a great deal. There is no denying the psychology behind it, and the age-old concept continues

In Grenada you can find handmade glassbead jewellery created by designer Cindy Henriques who is a fan of the pop-up model. She states that the pop-up retail is becoming more popular in the Spice Isle due to the small size of the island. Cindy is considering showcasing her namesake brand of bespoke

According to thestorefront.com, pop-up shops are sometimes referred to as flash retailing or temporary retail and the business model has been used in major cities in the USA since the early 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as an option to a traditional brick and mortar store.

pieces at upcoming events mostly because of the cost-effectiveness. She sees pop-up sales as a complement to her main methods of advertising via social media and word of mouth. In Barbados, the pop-up concept has become quite popular with various events held usually at the weekend. Formats vary from a ‘store within a store’ where a larger department store would host the pop-up event in a section of their store and allow independent vendors to display their individual products; to art and networking events planned around a pop-up showcase where patrons can dine, listen to music or view artwork while perusing the unique wares vendors have on offer. Recently, there was a pop-up event held at Sky Mall in Barbados themed Xpressions of Independence as a tribute to this small island nation’s Independence celebrations. The creator of Odboih Designs, Jamar Odwin, who has a line of apparel, including T-shirts, caps and foot slides and provides graphic design services, chose the pop-up format because, “It’s an opportunity to get the brand out to the public without the costs associated with a fixed location. There is no rent or amenity costs and the event is held in a location where people frequent, thus giving my brand major exposure, that it may

not have received otherwise.” On day two Odboih Designs sold out and exited the mall with profits and an empty tray! Another pop-up vendor who showcased at Sky Mall’s Xpressions of Independence, Cathy Baird of B’you Designs, which offers unique custom accessories and clothing alterations as well as apparel transformations using upcycling techniques, echoed similar sentiments regarding why she chose the pop-up concept. “I intend to use the popup model indefinitely as an avenue to build a larger customer base and continue to establish my brand.” Most retail entrepreneurs who utilize the pop-up method do so in conjunction with social media marketing and promotion, just ask Designer Natalie ‘Natz’ Eastmond of the brand Satadaze, which offers timeless handmade resort wear, beach bridal wear and accessories. Natz who does not occupy a traditional retail space, usually displays her goods within an art event, and uses live models to showcase her designs. She cites the appeal of having no over-head expenses as the main reason for selling her products this way. “I prefer the level of interaction I have during these periods with current and potential clients, and it’s also an opportunity to increase exposure for my Satadaze brand

and build relationships.â&#x20AC;? One major benefit of a pop-up shop, which most vendors mentioned as an appealing factor, is the absence of overhead costs. Since vendors occupy a space for a short and predetermined amount of time, the cost is significantly less than the continuous monthly rental of a storefront. This allows pop-up retailers to attain more profits from their sales. Add to that the minimum costs associated with social media marketing and promotion and entrepreneurs can literally pop-up for profit. Ironically, one downside to a pop-up that the vendors have mentioned, is also essentially what defines it. Sometimes for vendors and customers the pop-up period may not allow enough time to promote the brand or the event itself. Also, potential customers may not have the funds available in that moment to purchase something that catches their attention. Usually, if and when this occurs information is exchanged and the vendor does a follow up, but often by that time sale-momentum is lost and customer interest may have declined. What is interesting to note though, is that all of the individual vendors while enjoying the benefits of the pop-up model, especially the no overhead aspect of it, have long term goals of still opening a traditional physical retail location in the future. They also intend to continue using the pop-up model indefinitely, as it can become a complement to their future permanent store locations.

So, there may be a future for traditional retail after all, as long as it evolves with the economy, the needs of both vendors and buyers and learns to co-exist with its ever increasingly popular by-product, the pop-up

Tips From The Editor

BELLE HOLDER

How to Boss Your Pop-up Shop

Over the 2019 Holiday Season TEN Habitat held its first Christmas pop-up shop at its Bridgetown, Barbados location. The co-working space was transformed into a hive of vendors showcasing ladies and men’s fashion brands, makeup, photography, jewellery, cakes and pastries, gourmet chocolates, statement T’s, and men and women’s face and body care products. The event included music, interviews, prizes, giveaways and discounts from the featured retailers. Here are some tips about how to get the most out of your Pop-up experience… • Promote! Promote! Promote! Advertise and give a countdown to your appearance at the Pop-up. Do cross promotion between you and the pop-up host, which allows you to reach new potential customers • Create a themed social media hashtag for your pop-up and offer price incentives for attendees • Take pre-orders of your product or pre-bookings of your service, to be picked up or administered during the pop-up. This gives you a jump start of customers and sales on the day • Take part in vendor giveaways and door prizes. This creates incentive for customers and builds excitement. It is also a great way to gain awareness and exposure to your brand • The event host should highlight individual vendors during the event, through interviews

and shout outs. If the event has a MC or an announcer, you can provide him or her with a script about your brand. Don’t take it for granted that the pop-up event host will do this • Don’t be shy. Make sure you personally or your sales staff are friendly, personable and knowledgeable about your brand and your products. Stand, smile and interact with potential customers and don’t be afraid to tell them your startup story • Pop-ups can be a great way to move merchandise and build brand awareness. Make sure you have an adequate cash float and or portable credit card swipe option • Create pop-up #FOMO! During the pop-up be sure to post pictures, videos and updates letting followers know that the pop-up is in full swing and major deals and price busters are on the table for attendees • Post about the pop-up after the event as well, to promote your brand and the next event Knowing that the pop-up retail platform is an awesome benefit for retail entrepreneurs, TEN Habitat will be showcasing two entrepreneurs and their brands at each month’s Friday Mixer, which are hosted at TEN Habitat on the third Friday of each month. Each month two entrepreneurs will be invited to speak about their product or service and have the opportunity to sell to attendees. There is no fee associated with the Friday showcase just the opportunity to gain brand awareness, acquire new and potential customers and generate on the spot sales. Be sure to check TEN’s website https://www.tenhabitat.com for event listings

To be included in the showcase submit your queries to our TEN Habitat office 1246-621-7355 or email info@tenhabitat.com 55

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Caribbean Startup Scene Issue #3

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Caribbean Startup Scene Issue #3