Youth with a mission

 Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley (centre), surrounded by team ‘Dream Tours Barbados’, which won the award for Most Outstanding Team and Best Presentation

Young men and women aspiring to start their own businesses recently presented their business plans as part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme’s (YES) entrepreneurial training program.

In total, three groups presented plans showcasing their own unique business idea, which encompassed tours, event planning and local products.

Having witnessed the presentations, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, lauded each group for their innovative ideas as well as enthusiastic presentations.


He pointed out that he particularly liked that participants were already looking beyond the local markets.

“I like that you understand that you have to reach beyond the shores of Barbados as you develop your products and services. You are into an environment in which you have to become world players and world leaders. You have to believe that as young entrepreneurs you have the ability to compete with an entity or person in any part of the world. That is how we are going to move Barbados forward,” he noted.

Lashley also shared with those gathered at his Ministry’s Sky Mall office that the word “recession” is no longer in his vocabulary, stating that “we are simply seeing a transformation of the Barbados economy in response to global trends.

“I adopt positive language. I always say that the majority of young people in Barbados are on the right road, because I honestly believe that, and you participants have actually given
credence to that,” he said.

YES, a Division of Youth Affairs, was also commended by the Minister. He expressed that such programs show that his Ministry continues to invest wisely in the future of Barbadian youth.

“I remain convinced that every cent that we spend within the Ministry of Youth is well spent. Because we have a responsibility to ensure that you are equipped to help us in the transformation and to a larger extent that transformation has got to be your responsibility,” he stressed.

The first team, ATOBIA INC ‘A Taste of Barbados,’ presented their small manufacturing company which produces locally made juices, health breads, natural soaps and artwork.

The second team, was an event planning and management company - ICONIK EVENTS ‘More than just an event, it’s an experience.’ While, team three Dream Tours Barbados, shared their business of catering to heritage and historic tours.

After deliberations, judges choose Dream Tours Barbados as the ‘Most Outstanding Team.’ The team was also awarded ‘Best Presentation,’ and team member Shontelle Legall received the ‘Spirit of Entrepreneurship’ award.

ICONIK was judged ‘Most Innovative and ATOBIA INC. named ‘Most Profitable Company.’

The business plans were judged by Shelly Williams, Platinum Services Inc.; David Foster, Managing Director of Roberts Manufacturing; Richard Blades, Business Consultant; Celeste Foster, Managing Director at ACR Business Solutions Inc; and Jan Blenman, Research Consultant. (TL)

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