Premier Smith, who was present at the Expo told the entrepreneurs that he is an ardent supporter of small businesses, something he has been doing over many years. Photo: Facebook

Most Innovative Booth/Product was won by Ms Sharice Vanterpool, proprietor of ‘Shavander’s Natural’ whose products are all naturally made in the VI. Photo: Facebook

Most Creative Booth and Most Popular Booth which were won by Mz Sovi Faces’ Ms Adrianna Soverall. Photo: Facebook

The Premier made these sentiments at the Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs Business Essentials Workshop and Small Business EXPO held on Friday, December 21, 2018.

At the event, one of the territory’s newest small businesses, ‘Mz Sovi Faces,’ Adrianna Soverall copped two prestigious awards at the exposition. Ms Soverall was one of over twenty small businesses who—at short notice—made it out to participate in the Trade Show.

Expand beyond borders

Premier Smith, who was present at the Expo told the entrepreneurs that he is an ardent supporter of small businesses, something he has been doing over the years.

 “I really do believe that its small businesses that generate the economy and I do believe that we have a lot of talent in this BVI,” Premier Smith said.

He however noted, the importance of expanding beyond the borders of the Virgin Islands, “I know that you had a workshop this morning about marketing and I think that is so important.”

He added, “Just the other day I was speaking with someone from the OECS about marketing as well, because I do believe that marketing is one of the weak points we have in this territory. I have said to many of you… you should not consider BVI as your market.”

“You have to consider the world as your market especially as there is so much competition in this small place,” Premier Smith said.

He applauded the budding businesses with some words of encouragement, “Continue doing what you are doing because I know it has already made a difference.”

Awards

There were a number of awards up for grabs at the Trade Show, including Most Creative Booth and Most Popular Booth which were won by Mz Sovi Faces’ Ms Soverall, in addition to Most Innovative Booth/Product was won by Ms Sharice Vanterpool, proprietor of ‘Shavander’s Natural,’ whose products are all naturally made in the VI.

In a show of gratitude, Ms Soverall who hails from Virgin Gorda, shared with the entrepreneurs the results of her last minute decision. 

“I was approached on more than one occasion to take part in today’s [Friday] trade show… and I declined because I thought I wasn’t prepared. Again, I was approached... and something said, try Adrianna,” she said.

“It is very easy to feel discouraged, I feel like I am juggling a lot and lately I haven’t been myself. But thanks to a few amazing angels that God sent my way to help boost me up when I needed it, I won most creative booth and most popular booth,” she said.

The workshop and expo are both initiatives of the Trade Department created to help entrepreneurs fully understand the ‘hows’ of running an entire business.