Pearls VI cops Business of the Year 2015!
![](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_2_20160229_204939_resized.jpg)
![Durante (centre) poses with Karia J. Christopher, Director of the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, Governor John S. Duncan, Jr Minister of Trade and Investment Promotion Marlon A. Penn and her parents. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_2_20160229_205215_resized.jpg)
![Host of the show Karia J. Christopher, Director of the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4438_1024x683.jpg)
![Owner of Pearls VI Alexandra V. Durante expressed surprise at the wins. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_2_20160229_210027_resized.jpg)
![Musa Mohammed of F & H Halal Outlet making his pitch to the judges. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4449_1024x643.jpg)
![Akiya Brewley pitching her business to the judges. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4452_1024x665.jpg)
![Hubert Lennard Jr. pitching his business Greencrete BVI to the judges. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4459_1024x678.jpg)
![Sasha D. A. Flax explaining to the judges how she manages her business The Rock Cafe on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4474_1024x669.jpg)
![Eileen Bourke had a mini-theatrical production to pitch her business Mi Amor Jewellers. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4488_1024x650.jpg)
![Kristin C. Frazer had a mini-fashion runway to pitch her business Trefle Designs. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4496_1024x682.jpg)
![Alexandra V. Durante on stage before the judges pitching her business Pearls VI. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4503_1024x666.jpg)
![Toni Simpson pitching her Sole Day Spa business to the judges. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4505_1024x683.jpg)
![Linette Baa of Bella Blooms pitching her business to the judges. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/350x_i_IMG_4510_1024x603.jpg)
It was the culmination of an almost year long process whereby a business was awarded Business of the Month every month by the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs.
Last evening, the nine businesses faced off in a hotly contested competition akin to the television show Shark Tank, where business owners had to pitch their business operations and plans for expansion to a panel of professionals who were brutal in their questioning and assessments.
The businesses taking part in the competition, all of whom were adjudged Business of the Month at some point in 2015, were F & M Halal Outlet, Akiya Brewley Designs, Greencrete BVI, The Rock Cafe, Mi Amor Jewellers, Trefle Designs, Pearls VI, Sole Day Spa and Bella Blooms. Trefle Designs won the People’s Choice Awards, voted by members of the audience using voting cards.
The winner Pearls VI received a sum of $5,000 for copping the title of Innovative Business of the Year and $12,500 for the title of Business of the Year, monies which will go towards her business.
When approached for a reaction to her business winning both the Innovative Business of the Year and Business of the Year 2015 titles, business owner Alexandra V. Durante said she was shocked and surprised by the accomplishment.
“I am shocked. I mean everybody put together a good run. I’ve had many sleepless nights this week,” she said.
“But I pulled it together and I knew that I had a good run and that I was up against really good people so I needed to make an impact right away....but I feel amazing. It means that our hard work has paid off,” she said following her win.
Prior to the announcement of the winners, each of the contestants had two minutes to pitch their business to the five judges.
The show was hosted by Director of the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Karia J. Christopher and speeches came from Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8).
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