SLYBT’s Strategic Partnerships: Expanding Our Reach
- Youth Business Caribbean (YBC): SLYBT is a proud member of Youth Business Caribbean (YBC), a powerful regional coalition of youth business organizations. Through YBC, we collaborate with partners across the Caribbean to foster a stronger and more interconnected entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Youth Business International (YBI): In July 2024, SLYBT achieved a significant milestone by becoming an official member of Youth Business International (YBI). This global network provides invaluable resources, connections, and best practices to support youth entrepreneurs worldwide, further amplifying our impact in Saint Lucia.
- Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW): Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is a worldwide campaign held every November to celebrate and support entrepreneurs, especially those facing barriers to entry. It involves millions of people participating in various activities designed to inspire them and provide the knowledge, experience, and connections needed for success. GEW aims to create an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, reaching beyond major tech hubs to include underserved communities and emerging economies. Local organizers drive national campaigns, tailoring events to their community’s needs. While concentrated in one week, GEW fosters long-lasting connections and collaborations to support entrepreneurs. The initiative is powered by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and supported by various partners, including corporate sponsors and entrepreneurship support organizations. The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) operates GEW and other programs to facilitate starting and scaling businesses, focusing on celebrating entrepreneurs, understanding enabling conditions, supporting entrepreneurs through interventions, and connecting stakeholders to strengthen local ecosystems.
Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024: A Resounding Success
The Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, in closecollaboration with SLYBT, proudly hosted a series of impactful events forGEW2024, achieving significant engagement and positive outcomes. Theseactivities were strategically designed to inspire, educate, and connect theentrepreneurial community, with a strong emphasis on empowering young peopleand fostering a culture of innovation.
GEW 2024 Highlights:
- Launch and Speed Networking Forum: This high-energy event provided a dynamic platform for entrepreneurs and key stakeholders to connect, forge valuable relationships, and explore potential collaborations.
- Power Breakfast: Attendees gained valuable insights from a keynote address by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, who provided an in-depth overview of Saint Lucia’s economic outlook for 2024/2025.
- Mental Wellness Workshop: "Resilience and Well-Being": Recognizing the demanding nature of entrepreneurship, this workshop equipped participants with practical tools and strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and maintaining overall well-being.
- Innovation Webinar: "Fueling the Future": This webinar explored the cutting-edge innovation skills that entrepreneurs need to thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
- Panel Discussion: "Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as an Entrepreneur": This insightful session provided a supportive space for entrepreneurs to discuss the challenges of imposter syndrome and learn actionable strategies to build confidence and resilience.
- Partner Activities: The week also featured a diverse range of partner-led initiatives, including a vibrant Youth Marketplace, a Business Mixer to foster networking, and the prestigious Impact Awards, which celebrated outstanding achievements within the local entrepreneurial community.
Gratitude to Our Valued Sponsors:
SLYBT extends its sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors, whose vitalsupport makes our work possible. A special thank you to our key sponsor,Republic Bank (St. Lucia), and all other organizations that have demonstratedtheir commitment to empowering Saint Lucia’s youth and driving innovation.
GEW2025 November 17 - 23
ThisNovember, Global Entrepreneurship Network will celebrate 18 years of helpingmillions of people unleash their ideas to start and scale new businessesthrough Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Formore information about GEW events and how to get involved in futureinitiatives, please contact the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry andAgriculture.
Small Member Support Program (SMSP) - Elevate: Empowering SmallBusiness Growth
Elevate is a specialized program within the Small Member Support Program(SMSP), designed to empower small businesses and elevate their operations toachieve greater sustainability, resilience, and profitability. The program'sname, "Elevate," reflects its core mission: to uplift and empowersmall businesses through the provision of best practices, valuable knowledgesharing, targeted training, strategic business promotion, and effectivenetworking opportunities.
Elevate workshops are meticulously crafted to provide participants with thecritical knowledge and practical skills necessary to significantly improvetheir business operations, enhance their competitiveness, and achievesustainable growth.
Upcoming Elevate Workshops:
- Costing & Pricing: This essential workshop will equip participants with the skills to calculate accurate prices for their products or services, utilizing essential tools and understanding often-overlooked cost components.
- Date: April 23–30, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Chamber’s Conference Room
- Facilitator: Sonia Polius
- Fee: $650 (Non-Members)
- Register here
- Business Continuity Planning: In an increasingly unpredictable world, this workshop will guide participants in developing robust business continuity plans to effectively mitigate potential risks and ensure swift business recovery in the face of disruptions.
- Date: June 2–5, 2025
- Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Chamber’s Conference Room
- Fee: $500 (Non-Members)
- Register here
- Understanding Financial Statements: This highly practical workshop will empower participants to decode financial reports, enabling them to accurately assess the financial health of their business and make informed strategic decisions.
- Date: August 6, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Via Zoom
- Fee: $300 (Non-Members)
- Register here
These capacity-building workshops are offered at reasonable prices and areconveniently accessible to small business operators. We encourage you to sharethis valuable opportunity with your clients, partners, and fellow entrepreneurswho can greatly benefit from strengthening their enterprises through Elevate.Our Impact: Transforming Lives and CommunitiesSLYBT is proud of the tangible impact we have made in fostering youthentrepreneurship in Saint Lucia: - Launched over 15 successful youth-led social enterprises
- Showcased the talents and achievements of more than 30 entrepreneurs during GEW events
- Provided ongoing mentorship and support services to our growing network of alumni
- Continually expanding our regional and global collaborations to maximize our reach and impact
Get Involved: Be a Catalyst for Change We invite you to join us in our mission to empower Saint Lucia's youngentrepreneurs and build a thriving future for our island. Whether you are ayoung entrepreneur with a vision, an experienced mentor willing to share yourexpertise, an investor seeking impactful opportunities, or a potential partnercommitted to economic development, there's a place for you at SLYBT.
