Entrepreneur Review Confidence, Creativity, Opportunity: Driving Entrepreneurship Forward ► An IADB funded programme under the YBI Network
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR REVIEW
July 2009 Volume 9 Issue 9
YBTB hosts 2nd AGM and awards ceremony!! Business Trust Belize celebration when young entrepreneurs displayed their businesses recently started with the help of YBTB. Bishop Philip Wright of the L-R: Patrons, Jackie Roe, Lucy Fleming, Mala Vasquez, Billy Musa, Dean Boyce, Directors Joan Burke, YFF rep, Ray Hohenkirk, Shaun Finnetty, Joe Habet and Anglican Diocese Christopher Coye. led the session in prayer, while Minister Castro delivered an inspirst On Wednesday, July 1 , 2009 at 6:00 pm at the Best Western Belize Bilt- ing speech to the young people of more Plaza Hotel Youth Business Belize. Marcia Brandon focused on Trust Belize, YBTB, hosted its Second enterprise development of the creaAnnual General Meeting. Hon. Ed- tive side of business development mund Castro, Minister of State in the and the fact that support must be a Ministry of Works, delivered the key- key factor in shifting this epidemic note address while Marcia Brandon, of social exclusion that our youth the Caribbean Technical Regional Co- faces. Both Chairmen of the Trust ordinator as well as the Executive Di- focused on the realities of youth unrector of the Barbados Youth Business employment and the need for partTrust, delivered the Youth Address. nership and development of support The Trust’s Volunteer Board of Direc- mechanisms such as the Youth Trust. tors and Board of Patrons, Mentors, Chairman Boyce asked the GovernPartners, Clergy, Diplomatic Corps ment of Belize for its support in drivand socially conscious persons living ing the work of the Trust forward. in Belize, witnessed one of the most The business session of the meeting spectacular displays of youth enterprise included a presentation of the Year in Review which revealed that development at work at the Youth
YBTB has started 31 young people in business across the country. The Financials were presented by Joe Habet, Treasurer of the Trust, and Castillo Sanchez and Burrell were accepted as auditors for the upcoming year. The meeting ended with an award ceremony and finally with an awesome display of young Belizean talent, drive and dedication. Awards for presented to Entrepreneur Steven Allen of “Steven’s Fruits and Vegetables” and Dolores Cal of “Hyra’s Fast Food” for Outstanding Financial Discipline, Karryn Dawson of “Shapdabelize.com” for Most Savvy Young Entrepreneur, Libby Martinez of “University Heights Educare Center” for Fastest Growing Business, Rupert Brown for “Corporate Social Responsibility” and Alfonso Noble of “Shooting Stars Productions” for Outstanding Entrepreneur. Mentors Edward Osborne, Gerry O’Reilly, Valerie Woods, Jolene Avila and Isabel Goldberg won Awards for their invaluable dedication and commitment to the Trust. Certificates of appreciation were presented to twenty five partners of the program, who gave generously Cont’d page 7
Inside this issue: Directors’ Message
2
Training Initiatives
3
Photo Gallery
8
Program Update
11
Sponsors/Mentors
12
Program Review
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FROM THE PROGRAMME DIRECTOR’S DESK Two years have flown so fast and we are at our midway mark!! I thought that I should echo the words of my Chairman Dean Boyce in his speech delivered at our 2nd AGM and Awards which brought home the reality of the importance of the trust and its need to gain sustainability. Youth are an asset unemployment is the problem. Youth are partners in development as well as potential leaders in the future. Kofi Annan The wealth of a country depends on its entrepreneurs. There is only one way to make a return on an investment, and that’s by making it. Let make an investment in our youth and enterprise development.
Board of Directors Mr. Shaun Finnetty Chairman Ms. Sylvia Cattouse Deputy Chair Mr. Joe Habet Treasurer/Chair Credit Committee Ms. Karen Ysaguirre Director Ms. Joan Burke Director Mr. Ray Hohenkirk Director Mr. Denvor Fairweather Director Mr. Henry Anderson Director Mr. . Christopher Coye Director Mrs. Diane Finnegan Director Page 2
Belize is hemorrhaging young people. We are losing them everyday to emigration and violence. Some say we have a “lost generation.” This is true, but they are a lost generation because they never had a cause, some never had true leaders to provide an example, because of this, it is not surprising that our young people have not become engaged in productive work. We have failed them. We have succeeded in producing a youth movement comprised of those who are anti government, anti people, anti self respect, anti life, and anti establishment. It is saddening to note that not even the millennium development goals gives credibility to youth unemployment which is only vaguely referred to at number 8 and point 16. The subject of youth entrepreneurship and youth enterprise development is not to remain marginally on our agendas, rather it is critical to be placed on our economic agenda, a part of policy formulation with business leaders, and public sector being the champions of this agenda. There is a HOPE gap that prevails – young persons out of work, with no hope of a job, no education or education that is not relevant to the labour needs, no family, no parental guidance and no hope of a future Youth and entrepreneurship are not social causes and until we accept this and place youth entrepreneurship seriously in our agendas we are facing a losing proposition. We are no longer facing interesting or challenging times; we are instead facing turbulent times with a fuel, food and financial crisis threatening our very existence. SME’s are the future of our economy; opportunities for our youths will be the saviour for our country. 71 million unemployed youth exist in the world, by 2009, 20 million more will be affected. Youth unemployment is as serious as HIV and AIDS. Why is it not given more or equal attention. This
is a human right’s issue. Where are the human rights activists? As an NGO charged with spurring entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for youth via enterprise development, Youth Business Trust Belize asks all of you to:. 1. Help us to raise the bar, no more one size fits all solutions for our challenges, let’s become locally and nationally inclusive where we realize that this is a social crisis which needs attention and let’s start working on it. 2. Let’s raise the voice – let’s join together as NGO’s and have more structured and coherent advocacy campaigns with successful youth as our champions and examples. 3. Let’s raise the impact – make a real difference on the Belizean landscape for youth and entrepreneurs. 4. Let’s stop looking at our youths as burdens but as assets to invest in, not as problems but something to develop. Not drug addicts, murders and Board of Patrons teenage mothers, but as those we can nurture and develop in a Mr. Dean Boyce system of prevention rather Chairman than cure. Lets work on developing healthy adults who are civic Mr. Edward Musa Sr. minded, hardworking and soDeputy Chair cially conscious Let’s give this crisis the prominence it deserves towards real progress for the citizenry in Belize as a whole. The youth are our future workers, consumers and tax payers. If they remain at this level, I do not have to tell you what our collective futures will look like. We cannot defeat poverty without growing our economy, lets provide employment for our youth through enterprise development. At Youth Business Trust Belize, we are determined to succeed. Please help us in our efforts toward sustainability!
Mrs. Lucy Fleming Patron BHC. Pat Ashworth Patron Mrs. Jacqueline Roe Patron Mr. Harrison Pilgrim Executive/Patron Mrs. Teresa Parkey Patron Mrs. Mala Vasquez Executive/Patron Mr. Lynn Young Patron Mr. John Searle Patron
Training Review Training at the Trust! On Tuesday and Thursday of every week beginning June 30th. YBTB signed an agreement with the Women’s Department to train 22 women on busiYBTB ness developUPCOMING ment and emTRAINING ployability skills over a SESSIONS twelve week period. The Seminar for women in the Young group identified that they were interested in business plan development, and communication Entrepreneurs skills. We further broke this down to one hour sessions two times a week inclusive of Marketing, Professionalism, Customer Service, resume writing and business plan development. The women in the group live in rural Belize and either have a business or plan to seek employment or open a business in the future. Trainers were Dionne Miranda and John Zevnick of the trust. “The students provided professional marketing plan presentations at the end of the class which were as impressive as those I have received as a lecturer in Bachelors programs. I am extremely proud of the women who showed dedication in completing their course work.” Said Dionne Miranda.
BTIA Professional Training helps entrepreneurs in districts!!
Facilitators: Dionne Miranda and John Zevnick Youth Business Trust Belize TBA 9:00 am– 4:00pm Programme Office COST: YBTB Business Club Members FREE Includes certificate, coffee Break and lunch WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Entrepreneurs, in the YBTB programme.
Over the past three months, the BTIA has delivered professionalism courses to their members in Orange Walk, San Ignacio, Caye Caulker and San Pedro. The organization opened up its sessions to potential entrepreneurs, students and employees of surrounding areas who were interested in the YBTB program at no cost to the trust or the participants.
For More information on training opportunities, call us at 227-1356
These opportunities gave the trust exposure in the respective areas for potential partners, mentors and entrepreneurs while providing training which is a part of the Trust’s mandate. We thank BTIA for this partnership in developing our youth! Page 3
Flashes….a brief look at what we’ve been up to! April 24th dubbed lucky day at trust!! A series of great events were the course of the day for April 24th. We now dub this YBTB lucky day!! The program appeared on Channel 5’s Open Your Eye at 7:30 am which then led to a series of serendipitous events read on…. Youth Business Trust Belize was pleased to be host Mr. David Clarke LVO (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order), the Chairman of both the Barbados Youth Business Trust (BYBT) as well as the Jamaica Youth Business Trust (JYBT), who was on a short visit to Belize. On Friday, April 24, 2009, Mr. Clarke appeared on Channel 5’s Morning Show, Open Your Eyes, along with the Chairman of Youth Business Trust Belize (YBTB), Mr. Shaun Finnetty. Mr. Clarke also met with the Board of Directors and the Board of Patrons of YBTB at a breakfast meeting at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina at 7:30 on that same morning. At this meeting Mr. Clarke was updated on the accomplishments and success of the YBTB and discussing issues affecting the Caribbean Group of Youth Business Trusts and sharing best practices as he has been involved with BYBT from its inception in 1997 and became the Chairman of JYBT in 2006. He then met with Mentors and Entrepreneurs at a Mentor Motivational Mixer following his meeting with the Boards. Thanks for the visit Mr. Clarke!
First Caribbean Hands over Check on Open your eye! First Caribbean International Bank has committed 1% of its profits to programs throughout the Caribbean. In October 2007 they made a commitment of $340,000 USD to assist the Caribbean Group of youth Business Trusts in developing the region’s youth. Belize received a $20,000 Cheque in 2008 and was surprised by Country Manager Glen Smith when he showed up with his second tranche of disbursement on April 24th when the Programs Chairman for Belize and Barbados were chatting with Marleni and William. Thank you Mr. Smith, First Caribbean International and Board Chairman Shaun Finnitty seen in photo inset .
Robin McCutcheon owner of Added Touch donates to Trust! After Open Your Eyes, the group heads to the Radisson for a Board meeting only to receive a phone call from Robin McCutcheon from The added Touch a supplier of amenities in the tourism Industry who wanted to make a donation after hearing about the trust on the show. Please see Robin handing over the check for $1,000.00 to advance the work of the trust.
Mentor Motivation Mixer held On April 24th the trust held its second mentor motivation and mixer session at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. At this session we discussed ways to motivate mentor in becoming more active and participating at the level that the young person need. Many useful suggestions came out which are being implemented.
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True Success Stories Entrepreneurship PERSPECTIVE YBTB is disappointed to announce that since the March 09 Newsletter, no new entrepreneurs have joined the trust. As a result we have made a call for serious entrepreneurs and currently have two loans being processed. They This Business Started with will be introduced in the next edition of the NewsletAssistance and Funding ter. From Youth Business Trust Belize This newsletter composed and compiled by the staff of YBTB For additional info, please contact us at 227-1356 or youthenterprisebze@yahoo.com
Confidence, Creativity, Opportunity. Driving Entrepreneurship Forward www.youthbusiness.bz youthenterprisebz@yahoo.com
Shaun Finnetty—Chairman
Entrepreneur and Mentor Success! Have you ever heard the old adage “birds of a feather flock together”, well it is true in our case. Entrepreneur Alfonso Noble and Alex Brown successfully completed repaying their first loans at Youth Business Trust Belize the same time their shared mentor Dean Molina was called to the Bar! Congratulations to all of them! Alfonso Noble Shooting Stars Production 663-2097
Dean Molina Telemedia Manager
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Alex Brown, Creative Arts Bamboo craft.
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Flashes….a brief look at what we’ve been up to! Entrepreneur headed to Trinidad! On Wednesday July 15th, Entrepreneur Libby Martinez along with Project Director Dionne Miranda and Chairman of the Board of Patron Dean Boyce head to Trinidad to a regional forum on youth enterprise development. Caribbean countries such as Barbados, Belize Trinidad, Dominica, Jamaica, Guyana and Haiti among others will get together to discuss the way forward for youth in their countries. The group will share best practices and entrepreneurs will share their ideas and success with each other. Youth Business International will also join the grouping to discuss the way forward as a network. .
Rotarians receive program update June 2009! Rotary Belize has been a staunch supporter of Youth Business Trust Belize from it inception in provision of mentors for the program with many members participating on the Board and Board of Patrons. New President elect Maria Price has attended both Annual General meetings to date. Please see inset photo with Rotarians being updated on program efforts.
New Program postcard and pledge package Launched!! The program has launched a new program postcard which serves as an entrepreneur directory should any one want to support the young people in the program. The reverse side bears program info. The pledge package is delivered to those interested in committing over a 1-3 period to the work of the trust. It includes a Belize situational video as well as pledge sheets and a letter. The postcards were printed courtesy of Belize Telemedia Ltd’s Marketing department. Thanks Telemedia and the pledges are pursued by our voluntary Board of Patrons headed by Chairman Dean Boyce. Page 6
Stories Cont’d from cover
throughout the year. Outstanding donors, First Caribbean International Bank and Belize Telemedia Ltd., were presented with plaques as well in appreciation of their contribution and continued support. YBTB was pleasantly surprised as Belize Telemedia used this opportunity to handover a check for $27,500 as a part of its three year commitment to the program. Nortel, a recognized leader in the communication industry and one of Telemedia’s biggest suppliers, also made a presentation of $50,000 to YBTB. Chris Braddy of Nortel made the presentation to YBTB’s Chairman, Shaun Finnetty, who, in accepting the check, said that the contribution would go a long way in continuing the important work of the Trust. For those of you who are new to the program, Youth Business Trust Belize is a program offering young persons between the ages of 18 and 35 assistance in starting their own businesses. The program offers loan financing, training and the ever important component, mentoring, which guides the young persons’ business on the road to success. Those who pledged their commitment to the program, which is being funded by the Inter American Development Bank, have made a serious investment in the future of Belize. The program, which follows the Youth Business International model started by Prince Charles of Wales, boasts of a vast network of about thirty seven countries worldwide. Thank you for your commitment to Youth Business Trust Belize!
Renovated website!! The YBTB website is being updated to include localized photos,. Additional information being requested as well as easy to use content management software which will allow the staff at the trust to update ad make necessary changes to the site. This change was necessary as the site was launched before the office was programmatic. Now lessons learned will be shared as well as the relevant info required by entrepreneurs, partners and mentors will become available. All this is courtesy of E-data who graciously offered this upgrade to the trust a s a gift. Thank you e-data!!
Ever since winning the coveted Young CEO award from Michael Porter’s ICIC group, Ivonne Escobar has been under high scrutiny and profiled in all levels. The Trust recommended her to be a part of a regional Central American Program funded by PAIRCA to speak about opportunities and entrepreneurship across borders in an effort to stimulate regional integration. Ivonne has been involved in a “muchogusto centroamerica” CD and has been attending press conferences in the region. Ivonne’s business “Bright Start store is located on New Road across the street from Mala’s and sells clothing and household goods. Please support a Young entrepreneur and buy from her today. She can be reached at 626-2704.
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YBTB Awards Show and AGM Photo Gallery
Entrepreneur Maureen Navarette showing her work
Entrepreneur Charmaine Heusner and her daughter at the awards ceremony.
Minister Castro receiving award from Project Officer Beverly Coleman
Board of Directors and Minister Castro
Entrepreneur Tiffany Budd showing off her part planning and entertainment business
Partner Ward Macgregor his certificate. Bravo Ward!!
Mentor Isabel Goldberg receiving mentor award from Treasurer Joe Habet
Board of Patrons Watching Year in Review presentation Telemedia receiving thank you!
Telemedia’s Dean Boyce handing cheque to Dionne Miranda
YBTB Awards Show and AGM Photo Gallery
Harold Arzu IADB Specialist receiving a thank you award Marcia Brandon Regional Coordinator IADB Project delivering Youth Address
Entrepreneur Ivonne Escobar of Bright Start Store displaying her merchandise
Minister Castro receiving a token of appreciation from Board Chairman Shaun Finnetty.
Chris Braddy of Nortel Networks who gave surprise donation at ceremony of $50,000. Thanks Nortel and Telemedia!
Entrepreneur Rollin Castillo displaying Sonic Bloom product!
E-data web designers giving YBTB a fresh web presence!
Mentor Gerry O’reilly with Entrepreneur Reynold Michael, his aunt and mom.
Entrepreneur Alfonso Noble with “Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2009, Shooting Stars video production Company!
Entrepreneur Libby Martinez with Award for “Fastest Growing Business” University Heights Educare Centre is a full service daycare facility offering meals, pick-ups, drop-offs to activities and homework assistance by trained teachers.
Partnerships Another Belizean entrepreneur wins ICIC Young CEO award! For two consecutive years Youth Business Trust Belize received a message stating, “Congratulations! One of your entrepreneurs has been selected for the 2009 Growing Up CEO Program!” Ricardo Gongora, a second year student at St. John’s College Junior College, was this year’s lucky recipient. As a winner, Ricardo was invited to a three-day Inner City 100 Summit May 19- 21, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. During the Summit, he was exposed to some of the fastest growing companies in America, and had the opportunity to develop relationships with Inner City 100 winners, gain access to world class business education and advice as well as getting to meet national business and civic leaders. A specialized track was developed for young inner city business owners like Ricardo where he had the opportunity to attend the CEO Forum at Harvard Business School for a luncheon session with Professor Michael E. Porter and afternoon sessions with other Harvard faculty. He received his “Growing Up CEO Award,” at a luncheon with the Inner City 100 and other distinguished guests on Wednesday, May 20. He was also able to present his business at a booth which was viewed by more than 1,000 people who attended the Inner City 100 Awards Dinner. Congrat’s to Ricardo who runs Baby Wagans a video game store. Ricardo will be headed to college in the US this year.
Rotaract Orange Walk Visit!
Entrepreneur recruitment in Hopkins! The Trust visited with the Lemenigi Youth Group in Hopkins to discuss options available for Youth in the area who could access the trust’s exceptional services. The trust was invited by President Kevin Cardinez.
On July 3rd, at 7:30 pm the Trust travelled North to Orange Walk to present the work of the Trust to a group of young persons 17 to 28. The grouping are potential entrepreneurs and mentors. It was a very productive session in which the Trust offered training sessions toward the club’s development. Next stop for the trust is San Ignacio with Mayor August and a group of his entrepreneurs.
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Hopkins Bay Resort offered complimentary accommodations to the Trust to be in Hopkins. Thank you Chef Rob and Hopkins Bay Resort. We look forward to helping a young person in the Hopkins area.
Entrepreneurs get ready for EXPO Belize September 12 and 13th, BCCI is giving us a free booth. Get your display together and tell us if you need space.
Accomplishments
YBTB Welcomes Clinton University Intern! Youth Business Trust Belize is pleased to welcome to the YBTB team, Ms. Olivia Wilmot, a Master of Public Service Candidate at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. Ms. Wilmot joins the YBTB team as a volunteer whose main goal is to determine how YBTB can better serve existing members and effec-
tively recruit new members and mentors. She is a native of Memphis, Tenn., and earned a degree in Spanish with a minor in English from the University of Memphis. During college, she spent a summer teaching English as a foreign language at the University of West Bohemia in Plzen, Czech Republic. Recently, she completed a stint as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Memphis working on projects including Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service; Make a Difference Day and Hands on Memphis with a special focus on engaging at-risk youth. During her first year at the
Clinton School Ms. Wilmot worked with the small business development program Arkansas DeltaMade, a program that promotes the products and services unique to the Arkansas Delta region. Her work in small business development is what triggered her interest in working with YBTB on her international public service project. She will be with YBTB until the end of July 2009. YBTB got to know Olivia through Peaceworks who is a partner with the Trust!
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YBTB Thanks it’s Sponsors, Board Patrons, Donors and welcomes its New Partners and Mentors on board
“THE ENTREPRENEUR”
SPONSORS Inter American Development Bank British High Commission (DFID) Scotto Trust Youth Start Plan Cititrust International Belize Telemedia First Caribbean International Bank Belize Employer’s Association US Embassy *Ambassador Dieter Wave FM Morning Show Ward Macgregor Brodies Robin McCutcheon Nortel Networks
Innovative and creative with passion drive and perseverance.
RESOURCE SPONSORS Princes Youth Business International Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry Belize Unit Trust Deloitte and Touche Michelle Williams JP Basil Coleman Sr. JP Peace Corps Belize Tradewinds Advertising Go Tees Basil Coleman
MENTORS Kathlyn Tillett Jim Scott Valerie Woods James Nisbet Dean Molina Kevin Herrera Tracy Taegar Diane Williams Alda Waight Sylvia Cattouse Ray Hohenkirk Edna Arnold Giovanni Heredia Martha Williams Dr. Marcelo Coyi Sheree Fukai Aki Fukai Bridget Cullerton Luis Cambranes Andrew Godoy YouthRosado Business Trust Belize Linsford Hannah Cowell Eddie Bouloy Stephie Lupp Hannah Cowell Yvonne Hartshorn Ray Hohenkirk Beverly Cabral Mirna Paul Jana
57 Cor Albert/Prince Sts Suite 3, 2nd Floor Doony’s Bldg Belize City, Belize
Marcia Bouloy Edward Osborne Corine Fuller Rondine Twist Gerry O’reilly Damien Chamberlain Victor Miranda Maxine Goddard Isabel Goldberg Jolene Avila Bruno Kuppinger Michael Swift Sandra Mckay Andrew Godoy Gil Williams
Addressee
Valued Supporter of the YBTB Network
This newsletter composed and compiled by the staff of YBTB For additional info, please contact us at 227-1356 or youthenterprisebze@yahoo.com