Tag Archives: Young Entrepreneurs

Help for Young Jamaican Entrepreneurs

Last week, we looked at the important role that youth entrepreneurship plays in the overall economic development of Jamaica. Unfortunately, despite aspirations to create their own income sources, many young people struggle to find ways to achieve their business dreams.

It’s a common belief by new entrepreneurs that the route to business success lies in easier access to start-up financing for their fledgling operations. The reality is that an injection of money can sometimes be insufficient to help an enterprise prosper if the owner is inexperienced in business.

From observing the mistakes of many young entrepreneurs (myself included), I know that working capital will often be misused and wasted in the hands of someone who is just starting out in business. The saying “Experience is the best teacher,” could very well have been written by an entrepreneur who gained worldly wisdom after several costly business errors! Continue reading Help for Young Jamaican Entrepreneurs

Developing Youth Entrepreneurship

At a recent economic forum hosted by the Bethel Baptist Church in Kingston, a young man came forward to ask the panel of financial experts for tips on how he could be successful in his new business venture. As he made his passionate plea for guidance, I recalled the challenges of my first entrepreneurial effort at 23 years of age.

With the adventurous spirit and eternal optimism of youth, I enthusiastically pursued my business idea, but after a couple of years, I realised that having an innovative concept was not enough to attain business growth. I didn’t know enough about marketing, sales, product development and strategising; and I remember feeling confused and frustrated as I searched in vain for answers on how to build a sustainable business.

Today, with the lack of employment opportunities in Jamaica, many young people are forced to try to make an income for themselves. However, despite the emergence of several organisations designed to assist business development, thousands of young entrepreneurs still struggle to turn their inspirations into profitable ventures, and a large percentage of them will not be successful in their endeavours. Continue reading Developing Youth Entrepreneurship