Wrapping up Season Two of his podcast Common Cent$ last weekend, Matthew Gaul hosted a Common Cent$ Collo-quium and Business Mixer which saw the attendance of over 170 people seeking to gain financial literacy and network.
All of the speakers were well received by the youthful audience that was invested in personal development and making better financial decisions in their life generally and in business.
Richard Rambarran spoke on seeing and seizing investment opportunities, and Tashi Browne on small businesses – collaborate or die. Cassandra Jaikaran spoke on thriving as a woman entrepreneur, and Wil Campbell on thinking your way to wealth.
Matthew, in an interview with The Scene, explained that he chose the word colloquium because he felt symposium was overused in Guyanese society. He joked, “I wanted a cooler word.”
Following the presentation from the speakers, there was a question and answer segment and then a business mixer where young entrepreneurs were provided with a space to network. According to Matthew, he has already received feedback that some people gained investments following the mixer.
Touching on the planning of the event, Matthew, an Asset Management Officer at the Guyana Revenue Authority, explained that it was somewhat tricky in the early stages as it was a solo endeavour.
In September 2021, Matthew, also an entrepreneur, started an online, visual podcast – Common Cent$. However, he noted that his listeners and viewers were requesting an in-person episode where they could be allowed to ask questions. As such, three months ago he began planning the final episode of Season Two, never expecting that it would be such a hit.
He said he felt that as Guyana continues to blossom and its economic trajectory changes, entrepreneurs must be educated on how to adapt. He felt that they needed a space to not only listen to qualified leaders in the industry but to also ask questions and seek clarification if needed.
He noted that there have been several Ponzi schemes and other financial gimmicks that people have fallen prey to, which further showed the need for financial literacy in Guyanese society.
Stressing the need for collaboration, Matthew said that given the new industries and investments in Guyana, he believes if small businesses are not collaborating with big businesses then their fortunes to success are limited in a sense.
In the beginning stages of planning the event, sponsors were not on board and he had decided to personally finance it as there was never any thought in his mind to cancel. But a few weeks before the event sponsors threw their support behind him and Matthew was able to adjust and cater for more attendees.
He explained that while the event catered for 120 people, around 170 attended. Some people had to stand at the back where they eventually set up cocktail tables. However, the programme was so insightful and engaging that people related to him that they did not mind standing.
In terms of feedback, he said the event exceeded his expectations as well as those of the guests. People have also revealed that they have already started to profit from the connections they made.
He stressed that major connections were made between the private sector and the entrepreneurs.
According to him, this has always been the vision but it has sped up in a sense with the support received. He said he is working on a sustainability plan to ensure that what he is creating can live on and not just be a “one-hit wonder.”
At that moment, he recalled that when he started his podcast he did not just want to touch on business but finance in every aspect of life: dating, marriage, households, family life, etc.
Matthew noted that one of the causes of domestic violence is the economic imbalance in households, as such he is hopeful that if people are educated financially they can make better decisions.
Berbice business fair
Meanwhile, Matthew said he is planning to have a business fair and exposition in Berbice in September to give a similar opportunity to entrepreneurs and the wider community of the county.
Furthermore, in November he is also planning to have a similar event on a larger scale in Georgetown. Owing to the success of the first event sponsors have already signalled their intent to support it.
He thanked his sponsors and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport adding that he is planning to work closely with the ministry for future events.
Matthew advised that youths should be careful about the financial information being shared online as the majority does not apply to Guyana. He explained that the financial decisions you might make in a foreign country would not make sense in Guyana, as such he advised that they use the information learned online and apply it in a Guyanese context as that would be beneficial. “Contextualize to our environment,” he stressed.
He also encouraged networking which is essential, stressing that certain information you can soak up in certain rooms you would not find online.
According to Matthew, being in certain rooms can also cause a mindset shift which could ultimately change the entire trajectory of one’s life or business for the better.
