The second annual Ethne Richardson Entrepreneurship Expo was held at the Rodney McArthur Rey Auditorium on Friday, February 5th. The event highlights the business interests of the former teacher of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, Mrs. Ethne Richardson. It brings together the students of the school with the aim of exposing them to the various possibilities of business ventures, and to the benefits that they can attain by exploring such possibilities.
Apart from highlighting the work of the renowned Teacher Ethne, at last Friday’s Expo, the work of four other business-related teachers was also highlighted. They included Susan Best- Richardson, Kiene Ann Philip, Florence Harrigan and Audrey Hennis.
Principal of the School, Mrs. Rita Celestine Carty, spoke highly of Teacher Ethne and the other teachers who were acknowledged for making their mark of excellent service at the school: “It is good that we have acknowledged our former business teachers here today. I feel like we have bonded together as a family over the years. I have been motivated and strengthened by their teaching, especially the words of encouragement from Ms. Philip who has been a great inspiration.”
Speaking about her impressions of the Expo this year, Teacher Ethne told The Anguillian: “I think the expo is great this year. It is endearing to see the number of possible opportunities that the young people can tap into. A lot of it is in food and fashion — the things that people need and demand. There is also other works of art: cosmetology and photography, to name a few. ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’. I believe that. Because of COVID-19 there are now opportunities that present themselves as we struggle in the business arena. Even in the USA, through the pandemic, lots of young people have become entrepreneurs like bakers, artists and graphic designers.
“My hopes are that, through this Expo, the students would be inspired and motivated to do business. I trust that the Expo would grow from strength to strength.”
A host of exhibits throughout the auditorium showed the kind of businesses that the young entrepreneurs are becoming involved in. Most of these budding business people are students of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. The Anguillian went around the room and spoke with a few of them.
First we met Ms. Shamara Brooks-Santana: “I am the CEO of Got to be Braided,” she said. “We offer professional braided hair service. We do the latest trends in braided hair design, like box-braids, knotless, ninga buns, pop smoke braids, passion twist, etc. I am a young entrepreneur, and I attend the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School.”
Next, we went over to the Slay Boutique, and spoke with Saunjae Connor: “We are the Slay Boutique,” she said. “We are doing business in the cosmetics industry. We specialise in homemade lip glosses, but carry brand-name lip glosses as well. We also carry hair accessories such as ‘scrunches’, hair clips, dew rags, head bands and bracelets.”
A popsicle stall caught our attention next, and we went over to speak with young Mr. Omar Hodge. He is the owner of OLAPOPS: “At Olapops we provide very delicious flavours of pops,” he boasted. “We carry six different flavours: lime, pineapple, blue raspberry, mango, cherry and fruit punch. We have uplifted the game of pops by providing products made from natural flavours. Our pops can be found at local supermarkets such as Proctors, Ashleys and Best Buy.”
Asked how he was inspired to name his company OLAPOPS, Omar said that the letters are actually a combination of the first letter in his name, Omar; his father’s name, Lowell; his mother’s name, Althea; and pops for popsicle.
We also spoke with the proprietor of KWP, a thriving photographic business. He is Mr. Keon Woodley: “I specialise in on-location photography, studio, portrait and group photos,” he said. “I have been open since 2018, and business has been very good so far. I thank my mom and dad for their support.”
Not all of the businesses at the expo belonged to current students of the school. The proprietor of Beach Happy, Ms. Rolanda Webster, is a former student: “My business is Beach Happy,’’ she said, “and we are happy to carry beach wear, beach gear and souvenirs. Our product line includes inflateable, towels, sunscreens, sunglasses, and hats. We also feature beach wear from adults down to infants.”
According to reports, the Ethne Richardson Business Expo was a great success.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
