– says accomplished entrepreneur
WHEN Abbigale Loncke-Watson started working with the government in 2012, her task was to counsel children. Because she was raised in quite a ‘sheltered’ environment at Reliance on the Essequibo Coast, it would perhaps be the first time that she’d be hearing of some of the horrifying, gruelling acts that are meted out to kids behind closed doors.
It was an ‘eye-opening’ moment for Abbigale, holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from The Open University, and she found herself equipped with a sort of passion and yearning to do all in her power to help these children.
In an interview with Pepperpot Magazine, Abbigale reflected on that time: “I worked with a lot of young girls and some of the stories and things they’ve been through – molestation, exploitation, trafficking, abandonment; those who just had nowhere to go hence why they were in institutional care. I wasn’t exposed to a lot of things, but working with the girls gave me that firsthand experience, and that kind of shook me to my core; it opened my eyes; it drove me to want to do more, not just go in every day and counsel them.”
So for years now, the 39-year-old, who was recognised by former US President Barack Obama in 2016 for her outstanding leadership in Guyana’s business landscape, seeks to provide employment opportunities for single mothers and young women.
In 2023, she became the Executive Director of SisPro Inc., a 100% Guyanese women-led company committed to community development, social responsibility, and gender and social equity. The company was founded by a group of visionary women who recognised the need for more women-owned and operated businesses in the oil and gas industry.
As a women-led company, Sisprois said to bring a unique perspective and sensitivity towards women’s empowerment, cultural issues, and social dynamics that are particularly relevant in the Guyanese community.
Armed with an Associate’s degree in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management from the LSIB London School of International Business, Abbigale, who has served on the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative’s Board of Directors, believes that a good support system is necessary for achieving great things.
“I don’t think that I just happened to achieve stuff. I have a support system that without it, I would not have been able to succeed the way I have,” she expressed. She is particularly grateful for the support she receives from her husband, Travis Watson and her mom, Camille Beaton.
The invaluable help from the people in her life has allowed Abbigale to venture into new businesses. Just last week, she opened Scotty’s Smoke House, a restaurant at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, along with Lennox Scott and Dijon Dey. She and her husband are also on the verge of getting into housing development.
As the Founder and CEO of MBW Energy Support Services Inc. (MBW) – a Guyanese female-owned and managed oil and gas support services company that provides services to companies requiring a smooth transition for their employees to Guyana – Abbigale said she had often been asked about a restaurant that has a different experience to offer.
“The chef and my business partner Lennox Scott is phenomenal when it comes to cooking. He has won numerous awards for his culinary skills and when he came up with the idea, my husband and I said this is something we want to do. We saw the gaps and demand. And it’s same for the housing development we are about to launch into where we are working in the space and we see the gaps.”
As the CEO of Community Health Care Agency and the Chairwoman for Women in Energy (Guyana), Abbigale said her goal is not only to create a legacy for herself and her family, but to create a space and opportunities for everyone around her to grow.
“In Guyana right now, we are in such a beautiful time where you have the opportunity to either invest in something or put yourself in a place where you can excel. Some people may not have the information or the finances to do it, but I don’t believe anything happens by chance. We have to be intentional about it.”
Among her advice for such persons is that once they have a vision, they should be ready to do the necessary work and research. Also, she said it’s good to reach out to people in those spaces and get a good support system.
As for people who just don’t have the know-how or who don’t have the money required, she shared: “A lot of things we cannot do by ourselves. A lot of the businesses I have are not the sole proprietor business; it’s an investment with someone. If you have the skill and a vision, you need to maybe bring an investor on or someone that has the finances, especially for people who don’t have assets…and who can’t go into the bank and get a loan. Get a short-term investor (an investor with a plan and exit strategy); you have to have a financial strategy.”
