Small businesses, such as shops, grocery stores, and convenience stores, are a fundamental pillar in the economy and everyday life of Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia and Belize. Besides their economic significance, these small businesses hold great cultural value as places where local traditions and customs can be found, and the promotion of dialogue and community interaction.
As part of their commitment to support and empower small businesses, The Coca-Cola Foundation, in partnership with FUNDES Latinoamérica, launched the free training programme entitled “Grow-ing Together” to enhance business success and turn their businesses into centres of higher profits. This course covers topics such as managing your business, digitising your operations, and financial health. It is available 24 hours a day, accessible on mobile phones, and can be completed in 90 minutes, leading to a certificate award. The programme has benefited more than 500 small businesses in 2023 such as Sharin Pitts from Belize, who stated, “I took the training and enjoyed how simply the terms were broken down. I also appreciated the financial section, and customer profiling helped my business greatly.”