Bahamas News
Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre Launched in Grand Bahama
#Freeport, GB, February 3, 2019 – Bahamas – Funding for micro, small and medium sized businesses is now available, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest said during the launch of the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre.
“Unfortunately, the dream of starting a business is often overshadowed by how much of a hassle it can be; and I can tell you from personal experience, particularly as a Grand Bahamian, the struggle is real, DPM Turnquest said at the launch held at the Bishop Michael Eldon Auditorium, Thursday, January 31, 2019.
He added, “It is true that many of the most successful businesspersons all over the world arrived at success only on their third, fourth of fifth try at success. But it is also true that in The Bahamas, we are still far from having a culture of entrepreneurship that supports small businesses and aspiring business owners.”
Also in attendance at the launch were: Jeffrey Andrews, chairman of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) Board of Directors; Gregory Laroda, president, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce; Kevin Darling, Royal Bank of Canada; David Rolle, Bahamas Development Bank; Michael Cunningham, Bahamas Development Bank; and Dr. Ian Strachan, University of The Bahamas.
DPM Turnquest said many have been trained to chase jobs rather than be self-employed and in Grand Bahama some have been expected to work for government, BORCO or at the Port, instead of opening a hair salon or plumbing business.
“Many parents are naturally looking for security for their children, and want to teach them practical skills, but in this 21st century, it is safe for young people to take bigger risks; to believe in themselves and to invest in their dreams.”
He noted that a culture of entrepreneurship needs to be created in the country and micro, small and medium sized businesses should be valued more.
“We must do this beyond helping entrepreneurs to believe in themselves. We must help them to start and grow their businesses; and we must help them to thrive.”
The DPM referred to the Access Accelerator SBDC as the vehicle to stimulate Bahamian ownership. He said, “The SBDC is the centre stone of the Government’s campaign to stimulate Bahamian ownership, to invest in entrepreneurs and to provide micro, small and medium sized businesses the incentives and assistance needed to survive and thrive. This is a core part of our recipe to grow the economy and thereby create jobs and wealth.
“This programme is very unique because it takes entrepreneurs from inception to financing; and it provides mentorship and handholding even after new businesses have started operating.
“In the past, we have had programmes that provided entrepreneurship training, but access to capital for new businesses was nearly impossible to secure. There have been programmes that offered financing, but the mentorship was non-existent. The SBDC takes a holistic approach that considers the full range of needs that entrepreneurs have. So Grand Bahama, I want you to spread the word and put the SBDC to work, because they are here for you!”
The DPM also explained that through the SDBC, Bahamian entrepreneurs will have access to: Government Guaranteed Loans; Business Grants; and Equity Financing. Further, a large portion of the grants will be earmarked specifically for impoverished youth up to the age of 40 from the Family Islands.
“The Loan Guarantee Programme will allow Bahamians to access loan money to invest in their businesses without having to meet the traditional equity requirements. The average entrepreneur starting a business does not have a house to put down as equity or a large inheritance to put aside. The Loan Guarantee Programme will make financing accessible for participants who go through the SBDC training and advisory programme.”
He also noted that under the programme, the frustration of the lack of funding will be removed and potential entrepreneurs will have access to training and advisory services. In addition, with the signing with the Bahamas Development Bank and Royal Bank of Canada, it is expected that banks may look differently at investing in small businesses.
The DPM introduced five entrepreneurs who have participated in the SBDC’s training and advisory programme and who have advanced to the funding stage: Petula Henfield, a pizzeria owner; Nicole Johnson, a private internment and related services provider; Sherril Bethel, a sea glass jewellery designer; Moses Pitter, a full service solar energy product manufacturer; and Kenroy Harris, who produces fresh drinking water and ice.
By Robyn Adderley
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
Header: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest (centre) along with Kevin Darling of the Royal Bank of Canada (left) and Jeffrey Andrews, chairman, Small Business Development Centre, signed an agreement enabling micro, small and medium sized businesses to access funding following training.
First Insert: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, announced the official launch of the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre during a town meeting at the Bishop Michael Eldon School Auditorium, Thursday, January 31.
Second Insert: The official launch of the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre was well attended, Thursday, January 31.
(BIS Photos/Lisa Davis)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
