– urges other Lindeners to pursue business opportunities in the ICT sector

FOUNDER and Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Supplies, a chain of Information Communication Technology( ICT) businesses, Deron Adams, was the recipient of the Small Business Bureau (SBB), Techno Business Award of the year. The award was presented to him at a Small Business award ceremony hosted by SBB and the Small Business Council, last week. Adams walked away with the coveted award, despite there being several other entries from entrepreneurs across Guyana.

Adams has been making strides in ICT in Region Ten and has even spearheaded several ICT workshops, which led to the launching of the Linden Youth Network; a group of youths who graduated from the ICT programme, who are now engaging other youths in ICT training.
What is unique about Corporate Supplies is that it started as a regular internet cafe, offering basic document services, but today, it has evolved into a safe haven for the general public, particularly students who cannot afford internet services needed to complete their projects such as School Based Assessments.

Corporate Supplies, located in the Linden Enterprise Network Mackenzie Office, offers Lindeners free internet browsing and subsidized printing and photocopying through a Print Smart Initiative (PSI), which allows users to acquire reloadable cards to print or photocopy. “This is a pre-paid print service which allows teachers, students, nurses, churches to buy print in advance of using them. Customers can use the various print packages to have convenient and cheap printing,” he said. To date, hundreds of Lindeners have benefitted from the initiative .

In addition to these services, Corporate Supplies also loans office equipment to public and private entities, does online shopping and also provides secretarial services. “It is not about getting, but giving back as well, while getting. I am not rich and my business does not bring in millions, it is still small and developing, but it brings me great joy that I can help particularly youths to be educated, to access services if they can’t access it at home or cannot afford to access it,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.

Corporate Supplies started in 2006 and for many years, its survival was rocky. It was the Small Business Bureau that came to its aid and provided financial assistance to acquire high-end equipment and machinery, to produce quality work to customers. Today, he is one of the leading choices for specialized printing such as flyers, tickets, invitations, large documents etc.

Another way Corporate Supplies contributes to the Linden society is by providing jobs for young people. The company has several youths in its employ, who benefit from on-the-job training.

Commenting on his award, Adams said he is humbled by it and it serves as a motivation to keep on pushing ICT in Region Ten, not only with the provision of services, but through training for youths. He urged other Lindeners to think futuristic as the world is moving along the pathway of ICT and STEM.

He also urged business owners to honour their social responsibility as much as their business grows. “You have to keep giving, if you are getting. It is not a one- way street, you have to ensure your community benefits, particularly the youths and that is what will give you real satisfaction as a businessman,” Adams posited.

A few months ago, he launched the ‘catch up’ initiative which targeted primary school students from communities on the Linden Highway, who could not afford extra lessons, but were below their numeracy and literacy level.

Adams is presently a municipal councillor and is a candidate on the regional list for the APNU-AFC. He is the former Chairman of the Region Ten PNC/R chapter.