2 weeks ago
17
BELTRAIDE is investing in the growth of Belizean entrepreneurs. Today, 22 business owners received grants through the second cohort of the Belize Enterprise Empowerment Project, or BEEP, during a ceremony in Belize City. The funding is expected to help them expand their businesses and create new opportunities. Here’s that report from Love FM’s Reporter Zayna Augustine
22 Belizean entrepreneurs are receiving a boost as they work to expand their businesses. Today, Beltraide awarded grants to the second cohort of participants under its Belize Enterprise Empowerment Project, better known as BEEP, during a ceremony held at the Atlantic Tower in Belize City. The cohort, which includes 15 women and seven men, successfully completed the program’s training and business development process earning the opportunity to receive financial support to further strengthen their enterprises. BEEP was created to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses by providing entrepreneurs with tools, knowledge and resources needed to improve their operation. Through months of training, participants worked on refining their business plans, strengthening their entrepreneurial skills and preparing for their next stage of growth. For recipient Darlon Usher, owner of Music Production, the grant represents an opportunity to invest in his business and acquire resources that will help him expand his services within Belize’s creative industry.
Darlon Usher, Owner, Music Production: “It’s definitely a major step for me and my business in that it provides and allows me to provide better quality service for my clients. I’m able to expand my equipment and in doing so I’m able to provide more services for the clients. I definitely want to be able to provide better services for customers not only in my surrounding area but also the rest of the country and maybe even outside of the country.”
Another recipient, Dawn Humes, owner of Dawn’s Essential, says the program provided valuable guidance throughout the process. She says the experience helped entrepreneurs better understand their businesses, identify areas for improvement and prepare themselves for future growth.
Dawn Humes, Owner, Dawn’s Essentials: “I have to say the process was a little rigorous, right? We got to learn about the business from the beginning to the end, which is a good thing. And one thing I could say that each of us knows now how to manage and the steps it will take for us to have a prosperous business. The challenges, well I could say maybe the major challenge is just getting, my challeng is, getting that through to everyone on social media, you know, getting up to date with that AI and certain things that will help, that helps us now, you know. I use this BEEP program as a catapult into the next level of this business. So I am excited and I can’t wait and us ladies I can’t wait for you all to see the products that we will provide.”
The initiative, according to Bell Trades Executive Director Ishmael Quiroz, is about creating opportunities for Belizean and entrepreneurs and helping them build businesses that then contribute to the wider economy.
Ishmael Quiroz, Executive Director, Beltraide: “So this is cohort two of the startup category under the Belize Enterprise Empowerment Project which is a MSME enhancement program in terms of it being an opportunity for businesses to get capacity, building training opportunities, business advisory services, ultimately leading up to applying for pitching and receiving a grant. Finding what sets you apart and being innovative, thinking outside the box, partnering and really being determined to see through your business to success.”
The second cohort of BEEP recipients now move forward with the support and knowledge gained throughout the program as they work to turn their ideas into stronger and more sustainable businesses
English (US) ·