Tobago Entrepreneurs Strengthen Skills Through REACH Workshops
It is one thing to conceptualise a business idea and then bring it to life. It is quite another challenge to manage that business effectively and ensure it thrives.
The Realisation of Economic Achievement (REACH) Programme has been hosting business education training sessions to support micro and small business owners in Tobago and equip them with the necessary long-term skills.
Assistant Secretary for Community Development and Social Protection, Ackel Franklyn, says that while many individuals have strong business ideas, they often lack the knowledge and skills needed to successfully bring them to life.
« It is programmes and efforts like these that really help you to polish and to harness your skill in a way that you could really make the best use of. »
Having already received grants from the REACH Programme to start or expand their micro-businesses, the cohort was invited to a workshop on business management.
According to some business owners, the information was game-changing.
Anton Henry shared, « Things that I didn’t know before I get to know, like how to manage stress, how to manage the business finances, your personal finances, you know, it was informative. »
Another business owner, Danielle Charles, stated, « It would help me in a better way to manage my money because that was really my problem, getting by to manage that money and to be able to go and sell and come back and have money. »
Kelly Peterkin noted, « The marketing aspect caused me to think a lot. When the gentleman from NEDCO spoke about choosing exactly who you are going to market to. »
The session also encouraged some, like Danielle Charles, to consider other business ideas beyond her scrap iron business.
« A little bit more confident, and I had like four to five other businesses that I wanted to put out there, so I feel more … yeah, I could go ahead and try something. »
While this training is over, Assistant Secretary Franklyn assured participants that this is not the end of support for business owners.
« We have the support of a very good team who are willing to come in to help you do the books. They are willing to come in and come back and say, « Councillor, head of department, listen, we try with him, but he need another push to get over, and we would be there to support you. »
The cohort received training in bookkeeping, financial management, marketing, customer service and stress management.
