Basseterre, St. Kitts (PRWeb) March 15, 2007 -- When friends kept asking for advice on how to start a business or write a marketing plan, Nerissa Golden did more than answer their questions and offer her expertise, she created an event to give entrepreneurs from around the Caribbean the chance to learn and get the push they need to turn their passions into enterprise.
The second annual Caribbean Young Entrepreneurs Symposium (YES 2007) will be held May 23 - 26 on the island of St. Kitts. This year's event will be a collaboration of Golden's event management firm Goldenmedia and the St. Kitts & Nevis Ministry of Industry and Commerce, headed by Ambassador Rosalyn Hazelle.~~adz:Right~~
"Caribbean people have always been enterprising but there is also a level of fear to step into new territories or to use the skills that come naturally to us to earn a living," explained Golden. "I firmly believe that our natural gifts are the key to changing our economic circumstances and changing our communities. But we must learn how to use them and manage them to our benefit."
YES brings together Caribbean entrepreneurs who are looking for ways to expand their business outside their borders, network with other entrepreneurs and learn more about developing sustainable enterprises. A select group of high school and college students are invited to learn how to start their own businesses.
Rather than using high-priced conference speakers to draw a crowd, Golden looks for more experienced entrepreneurs who are willing to come in and speak to the up and coming crop of Caribbeanpreneurs.
"They understand the physical, emotional and financial challenges of trying to start a non-traditional business in a very traditional environment. The speakers come in and tell it like it is, while offering practical advice on starting on a limited or no budget and how to manage the success as it happens" the organizer said. "We are gathering a dynamic group who are ready to share their knowledge in a variety of areas. This year we have added more practical workshops to the conference schedule, to enhance the theoretical seminars."
"Learning how to make it through the tough times and understanding that any new business will have hurdles to get over is the first step to surviving as an entrepreneur," the former newspaper editor said. "Not giving up on your dream is the second step to making it as an entrepreneur."
"The global and highly competitive environment in which we operate has many challenges and we at the Ministry are very cognizant that capacity building opportunities for our young entrepreneurs is vital to their development," said Ambassador Hazelle about her government's decision to welcome YES to St. Kitts.~~adz:Right~~
"Partnering with YES 2007 can provide benefits for our young aspiring business persons. A major objective of such a partnership is the acquisition of the prerequisite knowledge regarding the techniques and tools that are required for becoming a successful entrepreneur. Not only will our young persons gain knowledge about the benefits of entrepreneurship but such a collaborative activity can also create greater awareness of the opportunities that lie ahead."
New areas to be dealt with in May include "Financial Investments - How to Get, Keep and Expand your Resources", "Developing a Brand", and "Pursuing Your Passion for Fashion" in one of the expanding growth industries in the Caribbean.
"Caribbean music is big and our fashion industry is about to explode, we wanted to bring the people who are on the cutting edge of these enterprises face to face with the entrepreneurs who are just getting started."
"Our unofficial theme is Fashion, Finance and Fun," said the 34 year-old mother of four. "We pack plenty of work and a lot fun into the four-days and St. Kitts provides ample opportunity and activities to do so.
"A much anticipated event is the Technology & Arts Expo scheduled for Saturday May 26, which gives delegates but also visiting companies a chance to showcase their products and services. The young entrepreneurs will be able to go head to head with more seasoned exhibitors to create unique booths and methods of promotion. There are prizes for the most innovative exhibits."
YES 2007 will close with a celebration of the most outstanding Caribbeanpreneurs during the Awards Gala. Persons can go online and nominate themselves or other worthy candidates in various categories.
