14 emprendedoras para iniciar el programa OECS-Caribbean Export Coaching

The OECS-Caribbean Export Development Agency’s Technical Assistance and Coaching Programme launched on July 8, 2020 with the aim of strengthening the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of 14 selected young entrepreneurs from six countries of the Eastern Caribbean.

In her remarks at the virtually held launch event Caribbean Exports’ Services Specialist – Allyson Francis, underscored the importance of the private sector and youth owned businesses, in particular, for sustainable economic growth in the Caribbean.

“Youth are the future.  Their businesses are a critical foundation for sustainable economic growth in the region and so we must invest in them and their businesses.” 

Funding for this technical assistance and coaching programme comes via the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme, which the Agency is currently implementing.

“Caribbean Export implemented a similar coaching programme for women owned businesses which was very successful, and so I encourage the participants to leverage the knowledge and expertise of the coaches and to build a network between one another” she continued.

The programme pursues three main objectives, namely: 

  • assisting entrepreneurs to clarify their vision and develop achievable goals that can be translated into tangible results; 
  • assisting entrepreneurs to develop transformative business models and strategies that enhance productivity, competitiveness and growth; and
  • providing technical support to set entrepreneurs on a path towards export readiness.

The beneficiaries of the OECS-Caribbean Export Development Agency’s Technical Assistance and Coaching Programme were targeted through national Business Service Organisations and the “OECS 30 under 30” programme.  From 21 applications, 14 companies have been selected to participate in the three-month coaching programme from both the services and goods sectors.  The group of young entrepreneurs will benefit from a highly experienced team of coaches in multiple areas such as business plan development, financial analysis, operations management, sales, marketing and branding, human resource management, proposal development, product development and quality assurance, legal and regulatory environment, ethical and sustainable business trends, information and communication technologies and e-commerce, and creative industries among others.  

The coaching programme also includes the completion of a comprehensive analysis of each beneficiary companies and the development of individual strategies which will address their specific issues. 

In closing, OECS and Caribbean Export reaffirmed the intention to continue to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Eastern Caribbean through complementary projects which will be launched in the future.

Participating companies include:

CompanyEntrepreneur’s nameCountrySector
Shop D CaribbeanDarrion LouisSaint LuciaInformation Communication Technology (ICT)
LinkUpKenna Questelles GeorgeSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesInformation Communication Technology (ICT)
The Two AcesAckim SidonieSaint LuciaInformation Communication Technology (ICT)
Mec DesignsMauisa CarbonAntigua and BarbudaManufacturing
T & A Household DecorAmy AntoineSaint LuciaManufacturing
AdroitTonnie PierreGrenadaAgribusiness
Cronneit’s Forest BowsDenny CronneitGrenadaManufacturing
Flirt CocktailsHyacinth RichardsonSaint Kitts and NevisAgribusiness & Manufacturing
Mangal Trading IncorporationNila MangalSaint LuciaAgribusiness
Akata FarmsBevon Chadel CharlesGrenadaAgribusiness
My Crown Of CurlsRanique JohnSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesAgribusiness & Manufacturing
Emerald Solar and Wind LtdNicholas SanderMontserratRenewable Energy
Caribi DreamsMr. Maurice  JohnSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesRenewable Energy
POISE SKNDesi BrownSaint Kitts and NevisCreative Industries