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by pltm
(PLTM) - The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship - Caribbean (BCoEC) powered by KPMG (BVI) celebrated its first year of service in the Virgin Islands with a recent ‘Family Meeting’, at the International Arbitration Centre.
The meeting hosted the Centre’s recent inductees--- 12 local entrepreneurs who have joined the global list of Branson Centre Official Entrepreneurs since last March, 2016.
The new members to the Branson Centre family are: Chad Lettsome of Ching Caribbean Inc, Debi Carson of Debi Carson Inc, Mouzaya Dabboussy of BVI Organics and Pier Parkins of Blind Messenger, Alton Bertie of ABX, Terry Benjamin of Chic Gourmet, Marva Titley-Smith of MatrixSpark, Andrea Wilson of Absolutely Unique VI, Anthony Trappe, Nathan Wong of Alternative Concrete Solutions, Libbie Oliver of Caribbean Mountain Coffee and Lenette Lewis of Sageroots.
At the meeting, the entrepreneurs had the opportunity to engage with each other and KPMG staff members, as well as participate in activities to positively assess their businesses.
One such activity was an interactive session with Alan and Juliet Barratt of Grenade; a multimillion dollar sports performance and energy brand based in the United Kingdom.
Debbie Bell, Manager of BCoEC in the BVI said she was pleased with the turnout and the activities at the Family Meeting.
“The objective of these events is to gather our entrepreneurs together to connect with each other and build an entrepreneurial community. This was the first of our Family Meetings and the start of great things.”
She continued to note that the Centre plans to structure more opportunities for their entrepreneurs to engage with successful business owners like the Barretts to provide industry insight and opportunities for BCoEC members to grow their businesses.
Pier Parkins, a member of Cohort 2 who is developing a technology company, expressed how beneficial the programme has been for him.
“Right now I am looking for funding and everywhere that I’ve looked has requested some sort of portfolio, and the business pitch deck we had to develop during the programme is exactly that. So it has made looking for funding much easier.”
KPMG facilitated the online training with in-person sessions to provide entrepreneurs with the skills to structure their businesses through the production of a business pitch deck.
Encouraging aspiring and present entrepreneurs in the Territory, member Lenette Lewis of Sageroots, said, “It’s really been a great experience so far. One of the things we focus on is the mentorship programme, and it has been so helpful. It helps you to look at things from a different perspective with someone who has no stake in your business so they are completely impartial and that has been so beneficial to my business.”
Lewis also said that the programme is not the easiest undertaking, but it’s worth giving it your full effort. She commented, “It is a lot of work, but once you’re finished, it helps you to sit down and look at the bigger picture of where you want to go with your business. You also get a lot of access to persons and services that you would not necessarily be able to afford on your own so that in itself is helpful.”
Branson Centre Official Entrepreneurs have access to a full suite of services, including coaching, mentorship, pro bono professional services, media exposure, networking events and access to a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. In addition, they are charged with actively supporting the development of an active entrepreneurial space for other entrepreneurs in the Territory.
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