WE hosted a fireside chat for emerging and aspiring entrepreneurs as one of the new awesome celebrations. Eight persons were selected for mentorship and four of the eight received 50,000 each towards their respective projects. This event was super important to me because I know how challenging the entrepreneurial journey can be. I have always made an effort to assist in this area, which is one of the reasons ‘Women in Business’ started over five years ago. I have noticed that lots of young men are venturing out and need exposure and I decided that the just-concluded Expo 50 would feature males and females. The eight persons selected for mentorship were Meleesa Payne, Clemencia Goddette , Alicia Daniels, Veena Sahadeo, Martin Gittens, Andy Gittens from Linden and Estiva Lake and Manuela Bell from Bartica.

The people were so grateful the assistance and these are messages I received from the persons who received the small cash grant.

Make it a habit to tell people thank you.” I have embarked on my fashion business journey unprepared, but I knew I had to make a start to make my goals and dreams a reality. So I braved the step like an entrepreneur would and took the risk of investing in a business I see great potential in. Furthermore, a few months down the line, I was informed of Dr.Noel’s 50 is the new awesome birthday celebration – events which included the Expo 50 of which I am a fan of[sic]. As a result of the fireside chat and the Expo 50 event, I was chosen to be one of the recipients of the $50,000 grant. I was thrilled speechless on hearing I was going [to] receive same. It made me realise that once you work towards your goals, paths will be created to take you to your goals.

Never have I even thought for a second that I would be able to share a conversation about my business with Guyana’s fashion super star, much less to recieve a grant of $50,000. I am indeed thankful. I will use the funds of the grant to contribute to the expansion of my business. In conclusion, I do wish Dr.Noel great success in all her future endeavours and plans may they all become a reality. She is such a humble and great woman, a reputable woman of dignity of whom I’m pleased to be influenced by. Thank you Dr.Noel.”-Estiva Lake

“First of all, I feel gratitude and excitement that I was one of the selected persons gaining the opportunity to receive the mentorship and $50,000 to start my business and improve my skill as an entrepreneur. I appreciate the motivation from you, the mentor and the other participants.”-Manuela Bell

“I am grateful to you Ms Sonia for having me on your mentorship programme. The knowledge the mentorship imparted upon me has been a great asset to my career path. The entrepreneurial skill has endeared into many hearts who had been in the programme. I feel blessed and value the benefits I gained from the mentorship programme. Skill growth is priceless when it comes to building my entrepreneurial skills and the important notes I penned are: – Have faith in your ideas, trust and believe in yourself and aim goals. – Networking opportunities are essential. –

Encouragement is so important. They can relate to our struggles and push a person to do more than you might let yourself do. – Take training classes to educate yourself for better management on the entrepreneurial path, such as; business planning, sales and marketing. Better business outcomes can never be solved by one person. And having a mentor can help you find new methods to solve a problem and come up with strategies to give you a better business outcome. This mentoring teach me the skills I actually need to acquire. This I learnt will help me to save time and money in the long run. From weakness to strength, from grass to grace and from nothing to something is what inspired me from this programme project. Also, many thanks to The Sonia Noel Foundation for choosing me for the $50,000 grant. This will help to add growth to my aim business endeavours. I am blessed and thankful to you Ms. Sonia. Muchly appreciated your kindness.”- Veena Sahadeo

“I’m Blessed and highly favoured, God said in his word. Being a part of the fireside chat, i was amazed by the journey of the mentors. I have taken in so much then, and to be one of the people selected for mentorship and receive $50,000 towards my business is truly a blessing. It was also an honour to meet Mr. Stanley Ming and my mentor Mrs. Nisa Walker, a very humble, kind-hearted individual.”- Manuela Bell

They have already decided the area in their businesses where the money will be invested. I would like to thank my friends Stanley Ming, Floyd Haynes (Maryland) and James Ogle (Georgia)for their contribution of $50,000. The remaining $50,000 was given by the Sonia Noel Foundation when someone who promised to contribute to our future leaders decided not to. I thank you for at least thinking about it. I will dedicate a column one week to the power of giving.

Let’s continue to make a positive difference, big and small, as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.