Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, the Hon. Charles Griffith, (center) with the participants of this year's I AM Conference Pitch tank.

At the recently concluded 2024 I AM Conference, there was a Pitch Tank.

Eight young business owners were granted the opportunity to pitch their businesses and business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges.

The panel was led by David Simpson who is an Accounting Professional and Entrepreneur here in Barbados. He was joined by Cardell Fergusson from the BYBT and Stephanie Khan from Khan Konnect in Trinidad. Participants were allotted 10 minutes to pitch their business to the audience. Following that, there was a five minute question and answer segment.

On Monday, November 18th, participants were presented with the results from the Pitch Tank and winners were given their prizes.

Winner of the Pitch Tank was Shanika Calderon, owner of Alpha and Omega Cleaners. She aims to expand and reach a global market in the near future with her professionalism.

Her love for cleaning blossomed into a successful business where she services both commercial and residential clients. Shanika was awarded the top prize of $5,000.00 for her well received Pitch.

Second prize went to Chaunaci Belgrave, owner of Beauty Obsessions Salon and Spa. The goal of Beauty Obsessions Salon And Spa is to boost feminine through the provision of their products and services. Chaunaci was presented with her certificate and prize of $3,000.00.

Third place was awarded to Tiana Rouse, owner of Rose Graphicz. The business specializes in delivering visually captivating designs tailored to bring clients’ visions to life. Tiana was presented with her prize of $2,000.00. In addition to the top prizes, three special awards were also presented.

Chaunaci Belgrave was also specially awarded with a two-year mentorship programme from Prestige Accouncting Inc. Tiana Rouse walked away with a Business Development Grant from Fund Access valued at $1,500.00 in addition to her second place prize.

Ronette Daniel, whose concept is to develop a Male Luxury Spa, was awarded with a Business Development and Research Grant, Training and Mentorship valued at $1,750.00.

All three winners of the Pitch Tank were past participants of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme's (YES) Entrepreneurial Development Training Programme.

Manager of YES, Ryan Moseley, commended the winners for their commitment to the programme and using it as a platform to take their businesses even further. He credited much of their success at the Pitch Tank to the foundations that they built while undertaking the programme.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Community Empowerment, the Hon. Charles Griffith, congratulated all of the participants and commended those who were not winners, he encouraged them to keep up the good work and told winners to make wise use of their prize money.