By A Young Entrepreneur
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a special place; a special place especially for young entrepreneurs like myself.
Most of us have travelled and had the opportunity to witness how more developed economies and their systems are operating. As such, when we return to our home country, we try our best to model it to at least an acceptable and developed world way of doing business.
Unfortunately, by the time we invest our hard-earned monies into a venture, especially one that’s new to Vincentians, a lot of their first sentiments is, “That venture would NEVER work in St. Vincent.” They’ll then give absurd reasons as to why it would not and as a young aspiring entrepreneur, if you aren’t mentally strong and persistent, you’re then left with your aspirations shattered.
Vincentians need to rally around young, aspiring business owners more, as every venture you wish to fail only hinders the country’s development.
You’ll discover it’s mostly the persons who never left the shores of St. Vincent are the ones to first ridicule anything new. Anyone who travelled before, even to our neighbouring countries such as St. Lucia or Grenada witnessed that these countries are so close, yet far in front of us in terms of development.
I know many Vincentians could attest to this. Sometimes you are ashamed to even think about going back home to our many inefficiencies of doing business, and as many would comment, “St. Vincent is backward.”
Therefore, we come home with a plan to develop our country, to make it more convenient for visitors and the same ones who would wish failure. We then spend a lot of time and money — money that we refuse to deposit in a financial institution to earn 1% interest, as most persons does.
To add further, Vincentians need to realise other than foreign investors, large and established businesses in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are not investing much; the older persons either; it’s then us, young entrepreneurs, who are taking up the mantle to see our country progress.
We’re told most times. “St. Vincent is not into that,” or “Vincentians are not ready for this.’’ What are we ready for? Stagnancy? Therefore, I think I can speak on behalf of many young persons like myself, those who aspiring but are facing the same struggles. Keep your dreams alive and be mindful of who you sell them to; persons would tell you it cannot be done, only because they can’t do it themselves.
To Vincentians, be mindful the next time you feel obliged to fight young persons and new ideas, you are only hampering the development of the country, and by extension, yourself.
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It’s good that young people are speaking up too. You are quite right in your assessment. You are the future of SVG. When all the power/money-hungry politicians dead and gone you will still be around. The part where you say “Anyone who traveled before, even to our neighboring countries such as St. Lucia or Grenada witnessed that these countries are so close, yet far in front of us in terms of development.” is so very true. Yachting friends of mine recently visited SVG and they complained about being hustled even before they set foot on land at Chataubelaire. And, among yacht people St.Vincent island has quite a nasty reputation they said especially the begging. Other than that they found the island and most people beautiful but the said they preferred Bequia. So I understand your point about the attitude of some people in SVG. I hope all the best for you and your enterprise.
Huh! You mean there are other successful young entrepreneurs in Vincy beside the PM son? Who?
You are a lone voice in a withering wilderness, speaking to a people so long groomed on gifts, grants and handouts, so groomed by a presumed illegitimate government voicing that unworkable, long outdated ideology of Socialism. An ideology that produces nothing but extensive poverty and hardships.
Just ask the Cubans and the Venezuelans for their sorry experiences! Enterprise and socialism dear, does not make for good bedfellows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR_4ey1EGyw
This was a good read. I love your perspective and honestly I’ve been in that position. It takes a determined individual to ignore the naysayers and follow through. I’m sharing it with everyone I know in st. Vincent because this needs to be acknowledged.
It is good that someone is speaking up on behalf of the emerging young entrepreneurs on the island. Your article resonated with me as I am sure it did with any young individual – entrepreneur or not. The ineffectiveness of leaders on all sides along with cronyism will continue to stagnate the development of the islands. Young entrepreneurs like you, will need to find a way to come together, share ideas for continued development and business growth and move forward in the face of adversity. It will be worth it… not just for your businesses but the country as a whole.