By S.Browne. Updated 4:55 p.m., Friday, August 21, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Twelve Vincentians are turning business ideas into registered enterprises after completing a six-week programme aimed at giving aspiring entrepreneurs the practical skills, resources and support needed to build sustainable businesses.
The participants completed the Members Business Development Project, a joint initiative of the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The programme, which ran from July 1 to August 7, combined entrepreneurship and business management training with assistance towards business registration, the purchase of initial supplies, seed funding and six months of mentorship.
The 12 grant awardees are Jerecia Ballantyne of Prettopia, Jemaine Ballantyne of Urban Kings, Dexter Campbell of Campbell Farms, Lynecia Forbes of Triple L, Damanic Jordan of Next Gen Games, Sharbona Matthews of Sweet Wisdom, Janisha May of Hair by Nisha, Patrick Medley of Simple Language Centre, Casether Moses of Cassy’s Variety, Jasmine Browne Paris of Ty Variety, Ardon Richards of RCH|LYF and Jesecika Smith of Jessy’s Soup Delight & Soul Food.
Their businesses span several areas, including agriculture, food, beauty and hair services, retail, gaming and education, reflecting a diverse range of entrepreneurial interests among the participants.
The programme’s closing ceremony was held on August 20 at the Teachers Cooperative Credit Union Conference Room, where the participants received training certificates and business registration certificates from the Commerce and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).
Officer in Charge of CED, Keisha Phillips, said the initiative was designed to create lasting empowerment rather than simply provide financial assistance.
“This project demonstrates an important principle: that empowerment is not simply about providing assistance,” Phillips said. “True empowerment is about equipping people with the knowledge, skills, confidence, resources, and support they need to become more self-reliant and to create opportunities for themselves and others.”
Participants were trained to identify viable business opportunities, understand customer and market needs and develop business models capable of creating value while remaining financially sustainable.
The training also focused on areas that can determine the viability of a small business, including recordkeeping, cash-flow monitoring, costing and pricing of products and services.
Participants were introduced to the Lean Canvas Business Model Tool, which helped them assess their business ideas and consider key questions surrounding their customers, operations and value proposition.
Phillips reminded the participants that completing the programme marked the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.
“Today is not the finish line. In many ways, today is the starting line,” she said.
Nkosi Stewart, First Counsellor of the Mission Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, highlighted the importance of developing skills as part of the Church’s emphasis on service and self-reliance.
“Improving your skills, improving your business skills, is a part of being in ministry,” Stewart said.
He referenced Alma 37:6, noting that “by small and simple things, great things can come to pass”.
Christo Primus, Head of the Private Sector Development Department in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Private Sector Development, delivered the keynote address, “Building for Purpose: Courage, Stewardship, and Sustainable Enterprise”.
Primus described the partnership between the Church and CED as an example of how faith-based organisations, technical agencies and government can work together to create economic opportunities.
“Empowerment fails when it remains theoretical,” Primus said. “What makes this programme so impactful is that it delivers the complete equation — practical training, direct business counselling, formal registration through CIPO, and direct seed funding.”
He challenged the graduates to treat their businesses as serious enterprises and to use their training and resources responsibly.
“The business plan you drafted is not a document to sit on a shelf. It is your strategic blueprint. You are officially a business,” Primus said.
Primus also urged the entrepreneurs to maintain a clear separation between personal and business finances, lead with integrity and develop the resilience needed to respond to challenges.
“Resilience does not mean never encountering a problem. It means having the structure and mindset to adapt when challenges arrive,” he said. “You are not running this race alone.”
Two beneficiaries, Ardon Richards and Lynecia Forbes, delivered reflections during the ceremony before certificates were presented to the participants.
For the 12 graduates, the programme now moves from the classroom into the marketplace, with each expected to apply the skills, resources and support received to develop and sustain their respective enterprises.
The Members Business Development Project forms part of the continued efforts of CED and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance while helping individuals participate more meaningfully in St Vincent and the Grenadines’ economy.
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