St. Maarten Entrepreneurs Win Big At YES 2007

BASSETERRE – St. Maarten entrepreneurs maintained bragging rights at the close of the second annual Young Entrepreneurs Symposium (YES 2007) which was held on St. Kitts from May 23-26.

During Saturday evening’s closing reception and Outstanding Caribbeanpreneur Awards hosted by Ambassador Rosalyn Hazelle of the St. Kitts/Nevis Federation, Loic Bryan, Anderson Percival and Gregory Richardson of St. Maarten were recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit.

US$ 15,000 in services and products from goldenmedia were given away as prizes to the winning entrepreneurs.

Anderson Percival of NFluence Records and In Sports Magazine received the TrulyCaribbean.Net Innovations Award and US$5,000 in services to develop his companies’ strategic plan, marketing concept, media kits and online advertising.

Loic Bryan, a much sort after graphic’s designer and illustrator was recognized as the Outstanding Caribbeanpreneur in Technology, WINAIR’s On The Move Award recipient, and the Never A Dull Moment Award for keeping the delegates laughing.

Gregory Richardson, CEO of Secure Tech International for the second year won the award for most Outstanding Speaker in Technology.

Other winners were Mikieda Franklin, a fashion designer who was the most Outstanding Caribbeanpreneur in the Arts; Patricia Caines, a jewelry maker – Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Oral Dowell of Barbados was the Outstanding Business Planning Speaker while Filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon was the most Outstanding Speaker in the Arts.

Conference host and goldenmedia owner Nerissa Golden said the delegates all agreed the atmosphere at YES was one of togetherness and openness. “The opportunities to network and forge new alliances were important results of YES 2007.”

She added that the Guadeloupe delegation, which comprised students, entrepreneurs, journalists and government officials, broadened the possibilities for the development of the conference throughout the Caribbean.

“We are counting on you Ms. Golden to assist us in our efforts to expose our youth in Guadeloupe to the wider Caribbean,” Paul Naprix of both the General and Regional Councils of Guadeloupe told the organizer during the closing reception. He added that YES 2007 has made a great impact on his delegation and they are looking forward to returning home to implement many of the ideas they received during the conference.