Entrep-spiration: Young and Vibrant Caribbean Woman Power!

Hello Beautiful People :)

So its time for me to start wrapping up this blog and in so doing, I wondered what exactly should I leave my readers with... maybe a quote? an informative piece? a picture? something inspirational? Maybe a mixture of all?

Today I want to share two stories with you. Two stories of two young Caribbean women who are carving a niche for themselves in the Food and Beverage and the Hair and Beauty Industries respectively.

Why am I doing this?
Well as young people, especially young women, we often times doubt ourselves and our potential for greatness.
We have this amaze-balls idea but then we drown it with negativity and pessimism... killing it, never having tend to it and watch it grow. Why? Because we're too scared of failure, of disappointing our parents, of wasting time and money.
So today, I want to present you with these two young women who I am sure have gone through all the motions, confronted their doubts and fears and stepped out of their comfort zones.

1. Cherie Dowdie- Owner, Live!Juice Bar

Cherie, Owner of Live!Juice Bar relishing in her youth

Live! Juice Bar is a business that offers its customers a fresh and healthy approach to juices and smoothies. As a matter of fact what you get is freshly squeezed/juiced/ smoother-ized fruits and vegetables that's not only great for the body but tastes delicious.

Now, we spoke about Customer Value Proposition in an earlier post and what Cherie offers is All natural 100% juices and smoothies that are made from recently harvested and mostly local produce. And, she delivers so you don't have to worry about standing in a line or rushing from the office to pick up your order. Her juices and smoothies are priced from $350.-$500 JMD and she always offers specials, freebies and give-aways! AND they are made to order so you KNOW its fresh!

Her story isn't full of all the glitz and glam that you were hoping for. Here is a young lady who had been juicing for about 5-6 years and then, upon realizing that she spent way too much money on juicers and blenders, decided to start monetizing what she did for fun. There is it. It's that simple. You have a talent right? Don't be scared to tap into it. Don't be scared that people won't buy into it. Look at Cherie. She did it and you can too.

Delicious Live!Juice Bar Products 

PS- I am one of her customers and I must say that she got me hooked on green juice! Who do you know can make callalloo leaves, spinach, moringa, celery and some citrus taste sooooo good?
PPS- They've recently started a weight loss regime thingie so if you're interested be sure to hit them up on Facebook! Here's the link===>>>https://www.facebook.com/LiveJuiceBar
To read more about Live!Juice Bar's story ===>>>http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Squeezed
To see a video about Cherie and her story! ==>>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vsk7uyT4W0

_________________________________________________________________________________

2. Nolana Lynch, Eco Truffles Lavish Body Treats

Nolana showing off one her creations

Most of you know that I am a Naturalista :) but like many of those in the natural hair community, I am a bit of a product junkie. I love trying out new products especially those that are made locally... support your own right? So, I am a member of this Facebook Group called "Caribbean People with Natural Hair" and some time last year I kept seeing posts about Eco-Truffles this, Eco Truffles that and I was like WHAT IS ECO-TRUFFLES AND WHERE CAN I GET SOME?!

Eco Truffles Lavish Body Treats is a Trinidad based hair and body company that was started by the beautiful Ms. Nolana Lynch, a 24 year old PhD candidate (Tropical Earth and Environmental Science). By the name alone, Eco Truffles, you can tell that Ms. Lynch takes environmental sustainability into consideration and as such, her products are all natural and 95%-100% organic. Nolana was pushed towards starting her line when she switched from being a relaxed chic to a naturalista. Like me, she wanted an all natural line that complemented the lifestyle that she chose. Unlike me, she took the initiative and started mixing ingredients and testing out her products on friends and family and Voila! There you have it! Eco Truffles!

Just a few of the Natural and Organic Hair and Body products offered by Trinidad based  company, Eco Truffles 

Just like Cherie from Live! Juice Bar, Nolana does not yet have a physical location but she delivers. I must say though, even if you weren't satisfied with Nolana's products, you would LOVE her. She has a very friendly disposition and a very active social media presence that just keeps her customers coming back. I would definitely recommend her Shea Butter mixture and the Hibiscus Masque to anyone looking for a good deep conditioner. My hair felt moist and rich after I washed it out! Love, Love, Love!

Visit the website at ===>>>http://www.ecotruffles.com/
and be sure to like her Facebook page ===>>>https://www.facebook.com/ecotruffles?fref=ts

So, as I leave you I just want you to know that you need to believe in yourself if you want to make this happen. The world is your playground so swing!

Here's to new and successful business ventures!
Janelle

Are you Invisible?

Greetings Entreps!

One thing I really like about this Entrepreneurship course is the way in which the classes are structured. It's not one of those classes where you take notes, read from a text book and listen to a lecturer whose only experience in the business... is well in the classroom.
Every week we have guest lectures from real life entrepreneurs in the business! We get practical knowledge from practicing entrepreneurs.

Now, some time last month we had the honour of being lectured or how should I put it... being inspired by David Mullings, the CEO of Random Media who apparently got his Masters Degree at the age of 22
(*side note- What have you been doing with your life?)
 Anyhow, Mr. Good looking  David gave us a tour of his life as an entrepreneur... the strategic moves that he made to get where he is today. What I got most from his presentation is the importance of networking and making the most of that "scratch my back, I scratch yours" relationship. As an entrepreneur you NEED to generate those links in order to be successful. No man is an island!

Anyhow, I'm actually not here to talk much about David.

You see, I usually sit to the back of the classroom with my Tobago Bestie Shaheeda... not because we're delinquent and don't want to pay attention but the room is small and there is simply more space in the back. Moving on, during class we noticed that an older and very "artsy" woman had joined our class. She had with her a very creative looking purse that was made of leaves and other natural/ recycled material. We came to find out that she was actually supposed to present but time ran out. I really wanted to know what she was going to say to us so Shaheeda and I struck up a convo.

Apparently, she was going to tell us what NOT to do when you have a business. This lady, who is actually a Carimac alumni, makes jewelry for a living (well I'm not sure if this is her only job) and has a blog called Healthy Green Blog  (I think).
Now, during our conversation she mentioned that her jewelry business is a partnership with another lady and they often sell their items at the various University market fairs. The thing is, Shaheeda knew her business partner and bought a few items from her BUT she never saw this lady selling even though she professed to have always been present at the stall! So, although she may have been there it really didn't matter because she was not visible.

What really struck me about this lady was how unmemorable she was. I know it seems harsh and contradictory since I'm writing about her but although she had amazing jewelry, she, as a brand, did not resonate with me as a consumer. She seemed so " all over the place", unsure about what she was selling and if she wanted to sell it. For a moment I wondered if she was trying to convince me or convince herself about her business.
I am all for the artsy life. I support it. I am it. However, as much as we try to be out of the system, we are affected and influenced by it. What am I saying? There comes a time when as an artsy entrep. you need to seek guidance on how to best market and sell your product.
In life, and especially as an entrepreneur, you NEED to be bold. Even though you're shy, you need to appear fearless... not intimidated by the drop of a pin. Most of all you need to believe in your idea. How else are you going to persuade a stranger if you can't sell it to yourself?

Now this post may seem all over the place and that's exactly how I felt when I interacted with this lady. Confused. I was also scared because I don't want that to be me. I don't want to have a talent and be too scared and sheltered to put myself out there. I don't want to be invisible.

Anyhow entreps, my message for you today to keep focussed. Don't be intimidated by the potential for your idea... embrace it and put yourself out there!

Be the best that you can. 

Blessings,
Janelle

Work the Runway ft. The Business Model

Hey Entreps!

At University I've met a lot of interesting and amazing people who really inspire and challenge me to reconsider my boundaries so I can attain my fullest potential.
In my second year, while living on hall, I met a young man who blew my mind, knocked the socks of my feet and well after doing so he swept me off my feet! Oh, let me just make it very clear that all this mind blowing and sock knocking and sweeping occurred in the most non-romantic way!

Anyhow, he was enrolled in the medical programme at the University and at the ripe age of 20, he already had his first degree in Biology from another University of the island. Apart from wanting to be a doctor, he was a "practicing"businessman and entrepreneur. Back in his hometown he rented and got permission to sublet apartments and was even trading on the Jamaica stock exchange. Mr. Man was also philanthropic. In his 2nd year at the University he started both a club designed to help med. students study and a charity that sought funding for medical supplies and financial donations for med. students in need.

Hence, when he told me that he bought a restaurant... I was far from surprised. It only seemed natural.
During one of our conversations he explained that the business was barely breaking even and there was  guy who worked there who stole over 250000 JMD from the business. When I asked who was running the business... he was. It was clear that he did not know what he was doing.

When I asked about the business plan... none.
Business Model... what?

So, today I want to talk a bit about the importance of a business model... a step many young entreps seem eager to bypass...

Based on my readings, a business model provides the answer to two key questions:

1. How is your organization going to capture Value i.e. Customer Value Proposition?
2. How is your organization going to make money?

So say for instance you have created a natural hair care line right...

In your business model you have to clearly outline who is your target audience. 

Are you targeting women 16- 40 who have naturally curly and kinky hair (black and mixed race women)? You need to consider both the demographics and psychographics of your audience.

What is your Customer Value Proposition?
What is it about your line of products that's going to keep the customers coming back?
Are you going to capitalize on the fact that you are a local brand that's eco friendly and using only natural and organic ingredients?
What's the pricing going to be like? Are you affordable?
If there are a lot of products like yours on the market, then what is it about your product that should make me the customer want to come back support your business?
What are benefits are you offering me (and my hair) in exchange for my money?

Now, after you've outlined your CVP... let's talk money!

How are you going to get the cash flowing? What are your plans for generating revenue?

What's your cost structure? What's your profit margin?

Remember, most businesses fail not because they're not making profit but because of an insufficient cash flow to keep up with their expenses.
So, what do your expenses look like? utilities, ingredients, packaging, graphic designer, website developer, advertising... what are your fixed and variable costs?
What pricing strategy are you going to use?

and.... where are you going to get the money from?
If you're going to investors, they need to know that you're serious about your endeavour and you've considered all these factors.
They want to see how you're going to repay them and when you're going to be able to do so.

So entreps, you have your amazing idea so its time to design your business model so you can make it happen!

The Elevator Pitch: Making Magic in a Minute

Greetings budding entrepreneurs!

So, let me get your attention for a moment.

Picture this *cues dramatic music* you have just created an amazing natural and organic hair care line and it is a craze among your friends, family and naturalistas within your local community. Business is booming and you have more orders than you can make products! You know its time for you to expand and put this product on local market and make plans for it to hit shelves internationally. 

Your product is all that and a bag of chips... minus the funding. *womp, womp, womp* 

You've explored the bank loan route but you think that that's selling your soul to the devil so you turn to your government because you keep hearing about the "initiatives they have implemented to assist entrepreneurs like yourself and boost the economy". Your hopes tun up now! Only to find out that  the government is investigating a corruption scandal in the programme and have put a hold on all applications. Sigh*

With broke friends and family... what's an entrep to do?

You start looking at investors now. Venture capitalists who are looking to fund the next break out product/service/idea on the market. 

You hear that one of the biggest investors in hair and beauty supplies will be at next week's corporate mingle so you pick out your outfit and print your business cards hoping to meet and have a convo with her. 

You arrive early, get a glass of water and start the networking process but you're secretly just waiting for her to appear. 

You've drank too much water and need to take a trip to the ladies room. Just as you enter you see Ms. Hair and Beauty Investor coming out of one of the stalls!

You have less than one minute to sell your business... you introduce yourself and then the worst thing happens... you start rambling, talking about how your mother inspired you, how you tested it on your family first etc. etc. and include a whole heap of minor details never having gotten to the point about why she should invest in your company.

Your minute is up. Ms. Investor has completed washing and drying her hands and re-applying her lipstick. You're still rambling. She thanks you for your time, wishes you all the best in the with your business and excuses herself. 

You feel like a fool and on top of that you remember that you didn't even give her your business card. You are a hot mess so you go into one of the bathroom stalls and cry your eyes out over that missed opportunity. 

What we DON'T want to happen!

The foregoing situation could have had a better outcome if the entrepreneur understood and mastered what's called the "Elevator Pitch". 

elevatorpitchessentials.com calls it a "communication tool that helps you articulate your message. It can also be sales tool that can help you raise money and close the deals that you need to to be successful". Perhaps more importantly however, an elevator pitch is a teaching tool. It's where you, the owner of the business/creator of the idea get the chance to showcase your "primer". You know, as in painting, you put on the primer first to prep the wall for the main coats? yes! It's where you get the conversation started by giving a basic introduction to your business. You give just enough information that will peak their interest and make them come back for more :)

The catch with this "primer" is that it has to be prepared in a manner where it can be executed in 30 seconds to 1 minute. You see, as entrepreneurs, we meet people who can influence our future in the most untimely places like the elevator or the in the scenario above... the restroom. Regardless, we must make the most of this situation and communicate the key and unique points about our business across in this time. 

It may sound simple but it's far from. You basically have to condense your business into no more than 200 words in a convincing and appealing manner. 

Before I get into the points you need to include when you're pitching to a potential investor, I would like you to remember the following:

1. Keep it simple- avoid all complicated jargon, you don't want to confuse the investor/client. You want things to be clear and simple so it can be effective.

2. Write it down and speak it out- Don't just say "it's in my head", make sure you write it on paper so you can edit it accordingly to ensure that you include EVERYTHING you need to. When you're done editing... speak it out! Practice in front of a mirror or better yet, in front of your family! Make sure it's not robotic. Remember, you're going to be selling your idea to people so practice how you're going to speak to them. Don't forget the importance of your tone and being conversational. 

3. Commit it to memory! You NEVER know when and where you're going to meet these movers and shakers!

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Steve Bridger who writes the blog, "The Write Copy" (www.thewritecopy.co.uk) offers the following tips on how what you should include and how you should structure your elvator pitch:

The 60 Second Template – Words by the Second

A Guide to Successful Business ‘Speed’ Pitching.

1. Your name, company name & what is your role or function?

Approx 10 seconds. – 30 words       

2. What are your unique selling points – what makes you different – Why should I listen to you?

Approx 15 seconds – 45 words       

3. What benefits will your organisation contribute to help a potential client?

Approx 20 Seconds. – 60/80 words      

4. Ask whether they or someone they know would be interested in learning more/receiving a follow-up email/arrange a meeting

Approx 10 Seconds. – 30 words       

5. Ask for their business card and give them yours 

Approx 5 Seconds – 15 words

If you'd like to know more about crafting your elevator pitch, you can visit the following websites:

A. Harvard Business School  ===>>>http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/pitch/

B. Forbes.com ===>>> http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2013/02/04/the-perfect-elevator-pitch-to-land-a-job/

(Here they talk about how to pitch yourself as a brand. Not only is this important in entrepreneurship but the tips can be applied to your business as well).

C. Bloomberg Business Week ===>>>

http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-06-18/the-perfect-elevator-pitchbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice

Here's to making magic in a minute!

Happy Pitching!

Janelle

Entrep-spiration: Katherine Bethel: B's Homemade Ice-Cream

Hey folks,

Guess what?

It's STORY TIME :) :) :)

When I was younger and well, not a vegan, my mom and I used to stop by this little ice-cream shop called B's Homemade Ice-Cream after school and buy our favourite; cookies n cream :)

It was affordable, delicious and most of all it had that rich homey flavour that reminded me of  the ice cream my grandma used to make when my cousins and I would spend holidays by her in the country. 

Apparently there were a lot of robberies in the area and the shop had to close down but B's ice-cream would always be our go-to choice in the supermarket. 

Eventually I became a vegan and B's ice cream became a thing of the past however, I have fond memories of licking my cone and spending time with my family. 

Today, in the midst of all of my assignments, papers and blogs, I came across an article in the Trinidad express that made me stop, read and smile. The Woman Magazine; a weekly feature in the newspaper that targets well.. yes, you guessed it, women, did a feature story on a woman named Katherine Bethel. Honestly, that headline did nothing for me. I was this close to closing the page until my eye caugt the subline; "Making B's the Preferred Choice". I disguised the screams of my inner child with a smile.

As I read the story it never occurred to me that 1. The owner of the B's was a woman (Yay!) and 2. She was an entrepreneur with her own story to tell. 

Katherine Bethel, Co-founder of B's Homemade Ice Cream
Photo via guardian.co.tt

Apparently, Bethel and her husband were having a hard time making ends meet when she decided to put her husband's punch making skills to the test and start up an ice cream business. She got a $3000 (TT) loan from her credit Union and bought a blender, an ice cream pail and some other tools to start her business. The husband and wife team debuted 2 flavours- peanut and coconut and were dedicated to making sure their business thrived. Katherine maintained her 8-4 job and despite the ridiculing comments she would get from her "friends", she held her head high and helped her husband sell their product after her work day. 

According to Katherine, she had a vision; a vision from God. This vision kept her on track and in spite of the sacrifices she had to make; Bethel said that she would do it all over again if she had to. 

Today B's is a thriving business and probably one of the top sellers of local ice-cream in Trinidad. They started with only 2 flavours but today they offer their customers 28 to choose from. Katherine, who did not go to one of "top" or "prestige" schools on the island and was employed as an "On-the-Job" trainee with the government when her business began; now holds a MBA and an ACCA Post graduate diploma in financial management. 

However, Bethel is more than just a business woman. She is also the franchise holder for the popular Action Coach company coming out of Australia.This company provides mentorship and advice for women like Bethel who want to start explore business ventures. 

Reading Katherine Bethel's story really inspired me and I hope it does the same for you. It doesn't matter where you are come from or where you start. What matters is where you want to go. Don't be discouraged by the "haters". Keep focussed on your goal and do what needs to be done to get their... legitimately and ethically of course ;)

Ps- If you're interested in reading the article, click on the link below:

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/woman-magazine/Katherine-Bethel-201717861.html

I also came across an older article on B's Ice- Cream. Click on the link to hear more about her business:

http://guardian.co.tt/business-guardian/2012-09-27/b%E2%80%99s-homemade-ice-cream-serving-taste-home

Be inspired,

Janelle