WWW.YOUTHBUSINESS.BZ June 2012 Volume 3

YBTB hosts 1st Entrepreneurship & Confidence Building Summer Camp

Confidence, Creativity, Opportunity: Driving Entrepreneurship Forward

Entrepreneur Review

The Youth Business Trust

Belize held its first ever Entrepre-

neurship and Confidence Building

Camp for young entrepreneurs and

potential young entrepreneurs. The

camp was held during the month of

June, and participants from Belize

and the Cayo District participated.

The objective was to build self-

confidence in the youth with the

specific purpose of helping young

Belizeans see themselves as busi-

ness leaders and future business

owners. YBTB also offered a Train

the Trainer session so other youth

organizations could benefit and im-

plement all or part of the curriculum

in their operations.

The camp focused on lead-

ership, confidence building, and

communication skills as they relate

to entrepreneurship. The partici-

pants learned about leadership skills

and how to improve those areas

where they are weak. They also

learned how to build confidence

through improving skills, being re-

sponsible, and having self-respect

and respect for others. Lastly, the

participants learned how to give an

elevator speech and talk about their

business with confidence. At the

end of the camp, participants set

goals that are relevant to becoming

business leaders and, they also

wrote a leadership development

plan to serve as a guide for

business leadership.

The camp ended with an

awards ceremony where

participants were awarded certifi-

cates of participation. The guest

speaker at the closing ceremony

was Hon. Herman Longsworth,

Minister of State, Ministry of Edu-

cation, Youth and Sports.

The camp was facilitated by

Andrea Price, a student at the Uni-

versity of Arkansas-Clinton School

of Public Service in Little Rock,

AR.

Inside Issues:

GM’s Greeting Pg 2

YBTB Impact Assessment Pg. 3

Entrepreneurship Development Pg. 4

Mentoring Model Project Results Pg. 5

Creative Business Cup Pg. 6

YBTB Young Entrepreneur Pg. 7

Page 2

Greetings,

As I sit and contemplate what should be my message for this edition of the Entrepreneur Re-

view, I find myself pulled to a quote from Peter Matjasic which says “ To reduce youth un-

employment, training and education might not be enough, turning young people into entre-

preneurs is the solution”.

According to Belize’s 2010 Population & Housing Census the labour force increased by

46% from the year 2000 and approximately 23% of the labour force were without a job.

The unemployment rate of youth between the ages of 14-19, 15 -24, 25-29 and 30-34 were 49.7%, 28.4% and

20.0% and 17.3% respectively.

The statistics for our young people ages 14 – 24, more so than all the rest, seem to be screaming at us for

help…

Youth Business Trust Belize provides opportunity and support for young potential Belizeans ages 18-35 who

have an idea and want to transform that idea into a business. In so doing, YBTB is helping to create jobs ; is

turning job seekers into job creators; is turning young people into entrepreneurs.

If ever there were a need for a Youth Business Trust that time is now! The costs of youth unemployment and

lack of opportunity for young people are staring us in the face and are becoming more critical as the impacts of

an economic downturn and the inevitable disciplinary measures filter down to the most vulnerable in our soci-

ety.

Social exclusion, poor health, low self esteem, little or no self worth, and criminality are only a few of the so-

cial costs to a community when young people don’t have opportunity to improve and provide for themselves

and their dependents.

A Youth Business Trust Belize is a NECESSITY ! While YBTB cannot right all the wrongs, it most certainly

can build self confidence, hone creativity and provide opportunity to young Belizeans .

YBTB invites individuals and organizations to partner with us in an all out effort to encourage and foster en-

trepreneurship among our young people for a better Belize!

Greetings from the Manager

Ms. Deanna Gomez

General Manager

Page 3

YBTB INITIATES IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF ITS THREE-PRONGED MODEL

The University of Belize Assesses YBTB’s Impact on Young Entrepreneurs

As the need for youth employment and job creation becomes increas-

ingly more apparent and as YBTB shares the successes achieved

through the MIF funded project “Mentor Model to Develop Young En-

trepreneurs” YBTB is ever more cognizant of the importance and ur-

gent need for evaluating the impact its services have had on the liveli-

hood of its young entrepreneurs.

YBTB continues to partner with the University of Belize to promote and encourage youth en-

trepreneurship and most recently to assess impact. This initiative, the first of several foreseen

assessment activities, will provide YBTB with vital information that can and will be used as a

basis for changing or maintaining the existing strategies, policies and processes of the organi-

zation.

The University of Belize, through the expertise of Dr. Jean Perriott, will interview all YBTB

entrepreneurs who accessed the full complement of services from YBTB (enterprise develop-

ment assistance, business mentoring and access to financing) between the years 2010 to 2012.

YBTB is serious about youth entrepreneurship and about maintaining its role as the leading

youth entrepreneurship organization in Belize and, promises to be both deliberate and cutting

edge in its’ approach to youth entrepreneurship always mindful of the importance of providing

opportunities for turning young people’s ideas into viable businesses.

CUSO Volunteer

Cuso International is a Canadian NGO that has identified the expansion

of work in the Caribbean as an important organizational priority and

therefore has selected five new Caribbean countries to begin exploring opportunities for program expansion.

As part of this, Cuso International has launched the Canadian Pioneer Program which involves the placement

of volunteers in Belize, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago who will explore opportunities

for collaboration and partnership between Cuso International and government, civil society and corporations in

the theme of Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship. As part of this program, Cuso has sent the volunteer,

Ms. France Laplante, who has been placed within Youth Business Trust Belize for a period of six months

(June—November 2012). This volunteer will essentially be the first foot soldier to gather data and make initial

contacts that will help provide information for Cuso to develop a five year regional plan.

Partnerships

Page 4

Entrepreneurship Development

Maintain Your Business Trainings

While Youth Business Trust Belize is well known for its Start Your Business Training that it provides to poten-

tial young entrepreneurs, focus must also be given to those who have already started their businesses. As a re-

sult, YBTB is offering its entrepreneurs a series of training sessions to help them to maintain their businesses

and invites all its entrepreneurs to take advantage of this opportunity.

ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENTAL TRAININGS

Excellent Customer Service Marketing your Business

Mrs. Camilla Salazar Hunt (Courts Belize Ltd) Mr. Carlo Habet (Brothers Habet)

Saturday 26th May 2012 Friday July 27th 2012 10:00 am -12:00 pm Completed 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Personal Development Communication Skills/ Professionalism

Entrepreneurship and Confidence Building Ms. Sylvia Cattouse (University of Belize)

Mrs. Andrea Price (University of Arkansas) In Session Friday August 3rd 2012

June 9th, 12th, 16th, 19th, 26th and 28th 2012 10:00 am -12:00 pm

9:00 am to 2:00 pm Completed

Human Resource Management

Hurricane Preparedness Ms. Sylvia Cattouse (University of Belize)

Mr. Kevin Pollard (NEMO) Friday August 10th 2012

Wednesday July 11th 2012 10:00 am -12:00 pm

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Completed

Social Security for the Self Employed

Labor Laws in the Work Place Social Security Board

Ms. Marcelle Theus ( Labor Department of Belize) Friday August 31st 2012

Tuesday July 17th 2012 10:00 am -12:00nn

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Government Sales Tax

Arrears Management Department of General Sales Tax Belize

Ms. Jeanine Vernon (CIBC First Caribbean International Bank) Friday August 31st 2012

Tuesday July 17th, 2012 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Fire Safety in the Home and Work Place

Basic Book Keeping Belize Fire Services

Mrs. Karen Lewis ( Bank of Nova Scotia ) Tuesday September 4th 2012

Thursday July 19th, 2012 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

First Aid

Pricing & Mark-up The Belize Red Cross

Mrs. Edilia Zaiden & Mr. Marconi Leal ( Santiago Castillo Ltd) Wednesday September 5th 2012

Friday July 20th 2012 9:00am to 12:00 pm

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Afforded through the Small Enterprise Development Facility of the Multilateral

Investment Fund (MIF), this project was cosponsored and executed by Youth

Business Trust Belize (YBTB).

The general objective of this Project was to increase economic opportunities and

generate income for economically disadvantaged young people interested in becoming entrepreneurs.

Fashioned to suit YBTB’s three pronged model of Business Mentorship, Enterprise Development Assistance

and Access to Financing, the MIF sponsored project included: (i) promotion, recruitment and development of

business mentors (ii) training and financial support for young entrepreneurs and (iii) development of a sustain-

able network through dissemination of results.

Between March 2007 to March 2012,YBTB faced its share of challenges with the execution of the project but

was still able to successfully complete the project and achieve project objectives.

Many young entrepreneurs got an opportunity to turn their ideas into reality and to receive business mentor-

ing! For all involved it was a lesson learnt!

As YBTB plans the final activity (the dissemination of project results) for this project, there remains one re-

sounding message “ We must continue to drive youth entrepreneurship forward in Belize” .

Page 5

Mentoring Model to Develop Young Entrepreneurs

CARSI Grant Youth Business Trust Belize was successful in its application for US$149,075.00 grant funds under the Central

America Regional Security Initiative’s (CARSI) Economic Support Funds (ESF). The project proposal was

submitted in partnership with the University of Belize to execute a two year project titled “Innovation and

Creativity: Catalysts for Economic Growth and Increased Self Worth of Belizean at Risk Youth”.

This project is expected to positively change young Belizean’s view of their potential for economic stability,

create nationwide recognition of the value of our young people and the social benefits of investing in youth

initiatives that develop talents, build confidence and self worth.

The goal of the project is to increase economic opportunity for at risk youth through the cultivation of creativ-

ity and innovativeness in product design with a business focus.

Through confidence, creativity and opportunity, Youth Business Trust Belize continues to drive youth entre-

preneurship forward in Belize!

Page 6

Creative Business Cup

Youth Business Trust Belize in collaboration with the

Institute of Creative Arts, is hosting for the first time the

“Creative Business Cup” Competition. The “Creative

Business Cup Competition” is an international business

planning competition focusing on the creative industries

throughout the world.

The Creative Industries are growing sectors that continue to provide more jobs, and add increasing value to

products and services. The creative industries hold great potential and creative entrepreneurs often lack in-

sights and business competencies needed to redeem this potential.

Through this competition, YBTB and ICA hopes to improve the business skills and the number of successful

companies in the creative industries in Belize. By taking part in this competition, entrepreneurs will be able

to increase their ability to successfully start up a company based on their creative competencies.

About the Competition:

Participants in the competition will create business plans in which they must display the creativity and origi-

nality of their idea or existing business. Participants must also share the market potential that exists for such

a business and include a realistic financial plan for the company.

The competition will be held locally by the Youth Business Trust Belize who is the National Host Organiza-

tion. Business Development Training will be offered for all participants to allow the development of the

business plans. At the end of the training, the top five semifinalists will be selected from which the winner

will be chosen.

The winner from each participating country will move on to compete against other national winners

in November 2012 at the Global Award Show in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Industries are:

Design Art & Crafts

Architecture Radio & TV

Content Production Film & Video

Advertising Amusement Parks & Live Scenes

Books & the Press Culinary Arts

Music Leisure Activities

For More Information Contact:

227-1356, online at www.youthbusiness.bz

or visit our office at the corner Albert and Prince Streets.

Page 7

Young Entrepreneur

Ruben is a motivated and hardworking young entrepreneur. His

Creativity along with his confidence and dedication has carried him a

long way with his screen printing business.

“Started in November 2010 but was interested in the process of

screen printing for almost three years before that. In the beginning, I

was only a fan of funny T-shirts and wanted to print my own. How-

ever, after much research of the industry, I realized that screen

printing was in demand in Belize. I researched, built my own screen

printing press and taught myself how to make it happen. Having

taught myself how to screen print was the most valuable asset I now

have in my business. Because of this, I now have a very clear under-

standing of every single step involved in the process. Now, “Sir Pryz

Ink” has evolved from just an idea to a real life accomplishment for

me.”

With further assistance from Youth Business Trust Belize, Mr. Novelo was able to improve his business so

as to provide better quality screen printing and funny T-shirt services.

Sir Pryz Ink provides its customers with designing and, artwork preparations, and also allows customers to

customize and create personal designs with no minimum order limit.

We Welcome Mr. Ruben Novelo to the YBTB family!

Meet Ruben Novelo “Sir Pryz Ink”

Sir Pryz Ink

#1 St. Luke Street,

Belize City

601-6887

sirpryz62@msn.com

57 Cor Albert/Prince Sts

Suite 2, 2nd Floor

Doony’s Bldg

Belize City, Belize

227-1356/227-9282

This newsletter composed and compiled

by the staff of YBTB

For additional info, please contact us at 227-1356 or

youthenterprisebze@yahoo.com

2012

NOVEMBER 12TH - 18TH 2012

1. Entrepreneurship

Expo

2. Entrepreneur of

the Year Competition

3. Mentor &

Entrepreneur Mixer

4. Innovation

Competition

5. Entrepreneurship

Symposium

Partner with YBTB and help

Promote Entrepreneurship

in Belize!

6. University of Belize

Marketing Expo