The 2nd annual Young Entrepreneurs Symposium (“YES 2007) was held in St. Kitts from May 23-26, 2007. Hosted by Goldenmedia and the St. Kitts & Nevis Ministry of Industry and Commerce at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, the YES 2007 conference commenced with an opening ceremony on Thursday morning. Mrs. Roslyn Hazelle, the Ambassador of Plenipotentiary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, gave the keynote address.

The YES conference is the brainchild of Nerissa Golden, a 34-year-old mother of four and a businesswoman, who saw a gap in the market where the needs of young entrepreneurs were not being met. Golden said “as a young entrepreneur, I found it difficult to find information and to gain advice from experienced business persons here in the Caribbean.”

The concept of the YES Conference is to provide a forum for entrepreneurs to learn from more experienced persons how to deal with some of the issues and concerns pertinent to doing business in the Caribbean.

Some of the topics considered during the four day conference were: ‘Are You Ready To Be An Entrepreneur?’, ‘How Can Caribbean Entrepreneurs Make Use Of Today’s Technology To Advance Our People And The Region?’, ‘The Importance Of A Business Plan’, ‘Investment 101’, ‘How Can Entrepreneurs Make Use Of Technology To Expand Their Client Base And Services Outside Of Their Island And The Caribbean?’, and ‘Financing Your Dream And Finding Your Niche In The Marketplace’.

To further reinforce the concept that successful businesses can be grown and developed in the region, professional business persons of Caribbean origin facilitated all the sessions.

Also included in the programme were several case studies where entrepreneurs shared their experiences of setting up and managing their businesses, overcoming obstacles and staying focused in order to go the distance. These sessions were lead by Frances-Anne Solomon, a filmmaker, Sharon Guishard, a dancer and fashion designer, and Roger Brisbane, a new competitor in the local telecommunications market. Workshops and cultural activities were also a part of the 4 day experience. Ambassador Rosalyn Hazelle hosted the closing Outstanding Caribbean-preneurs reception and awards ceremony, where US$15,000 in services and products from Goldenmedia was given away as prizes to the winning entrepreneurs. St. Maarten delegates Anderson Percival of NFluence Records and In Sports Magazine received the TrulyCaribbean.Net Innovations Award and US $5,000 in services to develop his companies’ strategic plan, marketing concept, media kits and online advertising.

Loic Bryan, a much sought after graphic designer and illustrator, was recognized as the Outstanding Caribbean-preneur in Technology, and was the WINAIR’s On The Move Award recipient. Other winners were Mikieda Franklin, a fashion designer from St. Kitts as the most Outstanding Caribbean-preneur in the Arts; Patricia Caines, a jewellery maker – Excellence in Entrepreneurship.

Gregrory Richardson, CEO of Secure Tech International, for the second year won the award for most outstanding speaker in Technology. Oral Dowell of Barbados was the outstanding Business Planning speaker, while Filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon was the most outstanding speaker in the Arts.

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