By: Valrie Grant, Entrepreneur, Managing Director, GeoTechVision
Starting your own business can be exciting, yet it can be quite a daunting experience. Owning a business presents many advantages; chief among them are being your own boss, having a flexible work schedule, having total control over the work you choose and not having to answer to anyone when making important decisions regarding your business. Becoming a successful entrepreneur though, requires hard work, perseverance, commitment, risk taking, being innovative and creative and so much more.
Starting a business in Guyana or the Caribbean comes with its own unique set of challenges. As Caribbean people, we are noted for being unique, ambitious, extraordinary and usually ready to take on a challenge. A common proverb in my home country Jamaica is ‘Wi likkle but wi tallawah,’ which really means small yet strong and so able to achieve where others may find it impossible. This does not mean it would not be necessary to have an environment that helps you on the way to success. The more facilitating the business environment is, the more likely your venture will have a successful outcome.
Starting a business out of your home may not be the most convenient for some start-ups yet they may find renting space and setting up essential support functions in an office space a financial challenge that can be quite overwhelming. This is just