PUTTING FAMILY FIRST
Everyone wants to achieve something in life. Everyone wants to be someone. 29 year old Alyssa Brumant of River Estate, Canefield, Dominica is no different. This single mother of two boys, 11 and 5 years old, took a bold step that many would have considered a backward move.
Alyssa had achieved a Diploma in Holistic Massage Therapy from the PBHC School of Holistic Therapies in Barbados in 2015 and gained further valuable practical training from different institutions overseas where she provided services. She recalls proudly, “I was the Head Therapist at the Tropical Bliss Spa in Antigua for two years. I was responsible for the overall management of the spa and supervised a team of five therapists”. However, she felt she had to return to Dominica to ensure the future well-being of her children and she has not regretted that decision.
Sometimes in life, situations can either be a stumbling block or a stepping-stone to fulfilling ambitions. Alyssa’s turned out to be the latter and she used the opportunity of her location to propel her to achieving one of her career goals – “To own a business!”
TAKING A LEAP OF FAITH
Alyssa heard about the Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) Entrepreneurial Training from a past participant. Driven by her hopes and dreams for the future, she left her well-paid job to pursue this training under the SkYE programme funded by UKaid. One might question that decision but Alyssa enthusiastically states that “I found it to be an excellent opportunity and decided to pursue the programme.”
According to Alyssa, “Prior to this engagement, I had an idea of the business I wanted to develop but required direction on how to start a business and the steps needed to maintain a viable business. My family was elated about my involvement in the DYBT initiative and continue to provide the necessary support required. I’m hoping to gain not only financial freedom, but a chance to build a legacy with my company VM Wellness.”
“My business was not established before the training. I was able to acquire the competencies and skills required to effectively manage my business. The DYBT programme provided the necessary support in helping to achieve that goal. Due to the programme, I had the opportunity to network and share information with persons that would help in the development of my business ventures.”
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
During the SkYE /DYBT training, Alyssa not only learnt entrepreneurial and soft skills but was successful in being selected as a finalist for the Business Plan Innovation Award (BPIA). This is an annual opportunity given by the DYBT for young entrepreneurs to develop their business plans. They then compete in a ‘Business Pitch’ in which they present their business ideas to a renowned panel of established and experienced business owners. Alyssa’s business plan and presentation placed her in the top five which earned her a cash and in-kind prize worth US$1,000 which she has invested in her new business start-up.
FACTS
Skills for Youth Employment (SkYE) is a four-year, UKaid funded programme to provide certified skills training for 6,000 disadvantaged young people, including those challenged by disability, in four Eastern Caribbean countries: Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent & the Grenadines. The Programme will develop a more productive and inclusive workforce in sectors with good economic growth potential.
SkYE is supporting national training authorities and training providers to make systemic improvements to the development, delivery and quality assurance of technical, vocational education and training (TVET) in the four focus islands through targeted capacity building.
