One hundred and sixty-one budding entrepreneurs have now taken the bold step from ideation to implementation, marking their transition from dreamers to doers at the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago’s (BATT) Start Up Graduation and Cocktails held on Sunday 17th August evening at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

The celebratory event highlighted the resilience, determination, and innovation of graduates who completed BATT’s flagship Start Up Programme—a six-week entrepreneurship training initiative designed
to equip participants with the knowledge, resources and practical skills necessary to launch and sustain thriving small and micro-enterprises.

Delivering the feature address, Ms. Sonji Pierre-Chase, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of
Industry and Commerce, urged graduates to live out this year’s theme—“Dream It. Plan It. Build It”—not just in theory, but in practice. She drew inspiration from the journey of Stefan Grosberg, owner of Del Mano Food Limited, who began by selling pesto at local craft markets before expanding into healthier sausage alternatives, eventually growing his brand onto supermarket shelves across the region. His story, Pierre-Chase emphasized, illustrates that success is never overnight but built through persistence,
innovation, and discipline.

“Dream boldly, even when others doubt you. Plan wisely, even if it means constantly re-strategising. And most of all, build persistently, even when your goals seem unattainable,” Pierre-Chase encouraged, adding that through this programme, graduates now have the tools to build their legacy, strengthen the SME sector, and contribute to Trinidad and Tobago’s economic future. She reaffirmed the Chamber’s
commitment to supporting SMEs, which she described as “the backbone of a strong economy” and vital to national diversification.

Meanwhile, BATT’s Executive Director, Kelly Bute-Seaton, reflected on the programme’s growth and impact since its launch in Tobago in 2022, moving from 80 participants in 2022 to 161 in 2025. “The programme was oversubscribed, attracting an initial 546 registrants, signaling an overwhelming appetite for structured business development support.”

Over the six weeks, participants were trained in record keeping, business plan development, market research, marketing, pricing, digital transactions, tax obligations, fraud awareness, branding, and the use of AI tools for business growth. A two-month mentorship component provided real-world guidance from experienced business leaders.

Bute-Seaton revealed that:

• 80% of participants were women, underscoring the rise of female-led entrepreneurship.

• 54% had already started businesses, while 46% had strong ideas ready for launch.

• Several graduates had already registered their businesses, opened bank accounts, and began preparing loan applications.

“These are not just numbers,” she said. “These are milestones. Each represents the beginning of a journey that will strengthen communities, create jobs, and fuel economic growth.”

BATT’s Immediate Past President, Ms. Gayle Pazos, also encouraged the graduates to embrace adaptability and innovation as cornerstones of their entrepreneurial journey. “Cultivate a commitment to ongoing improvement, understand your customers, and recognize that while they may challenge you as tough critics, they also hold the potential to serve as your best advocates.”

Pazos urged graduates to “pay it forward” by mentoring others, staying connected to their cohort, and leveraging networks. Citing the achievements of local entrepreneurs such as Kathryn Nurse, founder of Immortelle Beauty, and Rachel Renie-Gonzales, founder of d’Market Movers, she reminded graduates that “every successful entrepreneur was once a student with a dream.”

She further emphasized the vital role of SMEs in national development. “With an estimated 25,000 SMEs in Trinidad and Tobago employing a significant share of our workforce and contributing nearly 30 percent of GDP, supporting entrepreneurs is not just good business—it is a national economic imperative.”

The evening closed with heartfelt congratulations to the graduates, alongside gratitude to Marketing Dynamics Business Solutions, facilitators, and mentors who partnered with BATT in executing the impactful programme.

For the graduates, the message was clear: their entrepreneurial journey had only just begun. With dreams shaped into plans, and plans set in motion, they are now called to build businesses that will not only transform their lives but also strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s economic future.