U.S. Embassy and BELTRAIDE Recognize Entrepreneurs

Thirty entrepreneurs from across the nation successfully completed the Belize Entrepreneurial Fest, a program organized by BELTRAIDE in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Belize. The fest included an intensive one day boot camp where participants were taught the one-o-one of business goal setting, business model development, user-centric designs, and pitching techniques. These entrepreneurs were then challenged to prepare and present a business pitch. Of the thirty participants, six were selected from a business pitch competition to receive a seed investment. An awards ceremony was held in Belmopan today. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Shadel Young

Shadel Young, Public Engagement Assistant, U.S. Embassy in Belize

“Today we are celebrating the participants of the Belize Entrepreneurship Fest, collaboration between the U.S. Embassy and the Belize Trade and Investment Service, BELTRAIDE. In December of last year twenty-nine entrepreneurs from Southside Belize City, Dangriga, and Orange Walk participated in a one day workshop held in each of these communities. The one day workshop provided entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship and a public platform. The entrepreneurs also participated in a business pitch competition from which the U.S. Embassy and BELTRADE selected a first and second place winner.”

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The business selected as the first place winners were Refillery Co. by Tamrie Rocke, Lokok’ Teep by Andrea Castaneda, and Granny Ivy Herbals Soaps by Rose Parks. Each of the first place winners reached a thousand dollars in seed investment.

Tamrie Rocke

Tamrie Rocke, Refillery Co.

“Refillery Co. fills a gap that I needed to fill years ago with simple sustainable switch towards a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. Our mission is to encourage Belizeans from all walks of life to be better stewards of the remarkable natural world around us.”

Andrea Castaneda

Andrea Castaneda, Lokok’ Teep

“Lokok’ Teep aims to provide Belizeans with one more eco-friendly alternative to household products that combat the pollution we face. The reusable bees wax wraps are an alternative to plastic wraps made from all natural ingredients. With this seed capital I will be able to expand my production and also expand my reach.”

Rose Parks

Rose Parks, Granny Ivy Herbal Soaps

“Apart from helping with the material and marketing of my product, a portion of this grant will go towards my community based project where I teach upper division students to make soap from scratch. It is a make and takes activity so they get to take home and two soaps. I will be doing this on a yearly basis.”

The second place awardees included Randi Samuda and Rasheed Arzu.

Leyla Moses- Ones

Leyla Moses- Ones, Charge’ d’ Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Belize

“We all know that being an entrepreneur is not easy at all. It requires an eco-system, a deliberate cultivation of a risk supporting environment, access to capital, networks, and mentors. Being the successful entrepreneur can be even more challenging if you live in an area where you operate that is often outside of the main national limelight. This is why the U.S. Embassy chose to partner with Beltraide to create the Belize Entrepreneurship Fest, to connect with small business owners, to hear about the challenges to moving forward, to provide them with valuable training and tools to effectively meet those challenges, to help them grow their business, and of course ultimately the object is to grow your revenues.”

Shahera Mckoy

Shahera Mckoy, Manager, Export Belize BELTRAIDE

“I take this opportunity to express congratulations to our first place and second place awardees. Our top blazers as I call them received incubation sessions and seed capital valued at U.S.D. five hundred to support business scale up. Tamrie Rocke of Refillery Co. of Belize City, Andrea Castandeda of Lokok’ Teep of Orange Walk, Rose Parks, Granny Ivy’s Soap from Dangriga, Tamarie, Andrea, and Rose, continue blazing and keep that entrepreneurial fire burning. Randy, Maria, Rasheed, keep going, keeping on innovating, keep on doing what you do.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.