IN a powerful display of entrepreneurship, creativity, and ingenuity, nine women competed in yet another of WE3A’s impactful Business Pitch Competitions. Each participant had just five minutes to convince a panel of judges of their unique business ideas. From car washes designed as safe spaces for mums to grocery stores in rural Essequibo, the competition showcased the diversity of ideas and the enthusiasm, creativity, and ambition of the women behind them.

Aspire, Activate, and Accelerate
The Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Thunderbird School of Global Management to bring the WE3A: Strengthening Women Entrepreneurs in Value Chains Project to Guyana. This project is funded by the IDB Lab and WeFi. Now in its third year, the initiative will continue into 2025.

One of the many driving forces behind the initiative is accomplished businesswoman, entrepreneur, and author, Tashi Browne. “This project, WE3A, is about Aspire, Activate, and Accelerate,” Tashi explained. “It’s a three-year initiative funded by IDB and WeFi. The focus is on building the capacity of women entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Guyana is the only English-speaking country involved,” she shared.

The competition received robust support from sponsors such as Enet, Sears Consultancy Inc., Lead to Influence, Drevait, Germans, the Ministry of Health, and the Guyana Payroll, all contributing to various cash prizes.

The programme stands out because it targets areas that other initiatives often overlook. The Aspire phase focuses on storytelling, helping women see their potential through the experiences of others. “The Aspire component focuses on storytelling. It’s about sharing inspirational stories of women who have already succeeded in business. These stories empower other women who are just starting out by showing them that success is possible,” Tashi said.

The Activate phase shifts focus to practical skills. Participants learn to build a strong foundation for their businesses. “Activate targets women who are either new to business—maybe they’ve started within the last three months—or those who have a business idea but don’t know where to start. The programme helps them with the foundation, like preparing a business plan, identifying their target market, pricing their products, and marketing effectively,” Tashi explained.

Finally, the Accelerate phase connects seasoned entrepreneurs with opportunities to scale their businesses internationally. “The Accelerate component is for women who have been in business for over 10 years and are ready to expand internationally. Through this programme, they’re connected with international investors and certified by Reconnect International, which helps women-owned businesses enter global supply chains,” she added.

The Pitch Competition

The pitch competition is a key feature of WE3A, offering women a chance to refine their pitching skills and showcase their businesses. “The women who graduate from the Activate aspect can participate in a pitch competition to develop their skills. Pitching is so important because you never know when you might have the opportunity to secure an investment,” Tashi explained.
The event featured a packed panel of judges, including some of Guyana’s best business coaches and entrepreneurs.
The first-place winner, Stacy Reece of East Gate Products, manufactures traditional marinating sauces passed down through her family. She admitted that the experience was a significant growth opportunity. “This event was an eye-opener in the sense that I am not the kind of person who would do a pitch in front of people and present information. Now I can take my business to the next level because I have the confidence to pitch,” she shared.

Second-place winner Reshma Tickchand, owner of Triple R Grocery, explained her passion for delivering groceries to women in Region Two’s rural areas, which sparked her business. With her winnings, she hopes to expand. “Our business is in a rural area with people living different lifestyles, and many of the women are not afforded the opportunity to reach us. This business is breaking a barrier,” she said.

Third-place winner, Leshaun Wright Philander, the visionary behind Philander’s Carwash—a mobile car wash and safe space for mums—shared her excitement. “I am really excited because I have never really pitched before. I gained a lot of insight into the areas that I can improve my business because I was given a lot of tips,” she said.

Fourth-place winner Roneka Sam, founder of Baked by Nadia, earned recognition for her healthy watermelon fruit cakes. She acknowledged the value of competition in preparing her for the future. “This was my first pitch. I think I will know what to present next time and what the judges look for. In terms of financial projections and global trends, that will help me in the future,” she said.

Building confidence and capacity

Tashi emphasised the programme’s unique delivery method, which makes learning relatable and engaging. “One of the unique aspects of the programme is the way it’s delivered. It’s not just about reading; it’s an animated storytelling experience. There’s a character named Alma who represents the participants. Alma’s journey mirrors their own, making the learning process relatable and engaging. Throughout the programme, participants build their own business plans step by step, and by the end, they have a complete document ready for use.”

The competition sought to challenge participants with simulated real-world scenarios where entrepreneurs must communicate effectively within very limited timeframes. “We’re looking for real-world solutions here. During the competition, participants have just five minutes to pitch their business—like Shark Tank. This is designed to prepare them for real-life scenarios where investors don’t have a lot of time. They need to get to the point quickly and effectively,” Tashi noted.

For the finalists, the journey was not just about winning but about gaining confidence and exposure. “It’s not just about winning the competition. Even if you don’t win, the experience and exposure you gain are invaluable. You might say something during your pitch that inspires someone in the audience to help or invest in your business,” Tashi said.

Ultimately, WE3A aims to equip women with the tools and confidence to see themselves not as small business owners but as CEOs of growing enterprises—a vision and confidence, Tashi says, all female entrepreneurs should have. “One of the biggest goals is building confidence. Women need to be able to represent their businesses with pride. You’re not running a ‘small business.’ You’re the CEO of a dynamic, growing enterprise. Own that,” she said.

The passionate competitors all gained valuable feedback focused on improving their business strategies and presentation skills. They were advised to conduct thorough market research, understand their financials, and highlight what sets their products apart. This empowering initiative is changing the lives of women entrepreneurs, helping them step into the world of business better equipped and ready to succeed.