President of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sonji Pierre-Chase, delivered the feature address at the graduation ceremony of the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago’s (BATT) Start-Up Programme on Sunday, 17 August 2025. Pierre-Chase encouraged the 161 aspiring Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs to actively pursue and monetise their dreams.

बिज्ञापन

It is truly an honour and a privilege to stand before you today, representing the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce at this significant event. I bring greetings not only from the Chamber and our membership–comprising a broad cross-section of business leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs also from all those in the private sector who are deeply invested in the future of Trinidad and Tobago.

बिज्ञापन

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the board and Executive Management Team of BATT on conceptualising and executing this important project, which contributes to the growth of this country’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) sector, especially at a time when the private sector is being called upon to lead innovation and diversification efforts.

Certainly, the growth of this programme–from 65 participants when it first started to 160 graduates three years later–is a commendable accomplishment.

बिज्ञापन

Your achievement is a living testament to this year’s graduation theme: “Dream it, Plan it, Build it.”

This theme also serves as a blueprint for turning your visions into reality. It speaks to imagination, strategy, and execution. I congratulate you on embarking on this journey towards entrepreneurship.

Let’s take a few moments to dissect what this theme represents–not just in theory, but in the real world of business that you’re about to enter.

1. Dream It (…and I must add, believe it)

Dreams are the greatest motivator that you, as an entrepreneur, can cultivate. Every SME begins with a dream: a dream to own your own business, to excel in a field you love, to provide jobs in your community, or to do, make, or build something better.

As a graduate, I’m sure you can identify with several of those dreams. The very decision to enter this programme began with the desire to gain the skills and resources necessary to launch a successful business.

In the past–and to some extent even today–having big dreams was often equated with idleness. Can you imagine me telling my parents I wanted to be an “influencer” when I grew up? Or that I planned to make a living playing video games on YouTube?

During this phase, you will encounter many people who will tell you what’s “realistic” or “profitable.” And while it is important to consider advice, do not let negativity stifle your creativity.

In the business world, we often say, “Innovation begins with imagination.” The Chamber has seen time and time again that the most impactful entrepreneurs and business leaders in this country are those who dared to dream differently.

Right here in Trinidad and Tobago, many successful companies–like ANSA McAL, Victor E Mouttet Ltd (VEML), and Langston Roach Industries Ltd–were started by people who simply refused to accept the limitations others placed on them.

Always remember this: the world is a canvas that belongs to everyone. Don’t be afraid to imprint your dreams on its landscape.

But dreaming is only the beginning!

2. Plan It

Without a proper plan, even the best dreams die. What will differentiate you as a successful business owner is your ability not just to dream big–but to execute.

At the Chamber, we’ve seen many individuals like yourselves with brilliant ideas but no structured or strategic planning to realise those visions.

This phase of your journey, as I’m sure you’ve learned, requires you to assess the viability of your ideas, survey the competition, observe current market trends, and define your target audience, sales and marketing strategies, income projections, and more.

A strong plan should cover both short-term and long-term objectives, clear strategies to achieve them, and measurable milestones to track your progress.

This is where you must ask yourself what we call “More Beautiful Questions”:

What is the industry currently using that we’ve not yet adopted?

Where do I want to be in five years?

What steps must I take today, tomorrow, and next year to reach my goals?

I am very pleased that the START-UP Programme – Trinidad Edition equips participants with the ability to:

Conduct market research

Craft business plans

Develop marketing and social media strategies

Create sales funnels

Register businesses and open proper business bank accounts

At the TT Chamber, we encourage strategic thinking at every level. Whether you’re pursuing opportunities in the global trade environment, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), or the local market, have a sound plan.

We recognise that a good plan doesn’t guarantee success–but a lack of strategic planning almost always guarantees failure.

Accept that no plan is perfect–it will change over time. And that’s okay. But you must be intentional about success.

3. Build It

You’ve dreamed. You’ve developed a plan. Now, it’s time for action.

Many people never move beyond the idea phase. Even fewer make a plan. And only a rare few do the hard work to build something meaningful.

Sadly, many fail to realise that success is not an overnight process.

As American statesman and retired U.S. Army General Colin Powell said:

“A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.”

This is the phase where you put in the hard work. I often think of it as target practice: you aim, you might miss, but you adjust, re-strategise, shift your mindset, and keep going in pursuit of excellence.

There will be setbacks. There will be times when progress seems slow or your goals seem unattainable. In those moments, remember why you started. Recall the dream that ignited your journey–and persist.

There is no greater feeling than seeing your vision come to life.

Let me give you an example:

Stefan Grosberg, owner of Del Mano Food Limited and a Chamber member and Champions of Business awardee, was inspired during his time working with organic farmers in Europe. He developed his idea, mapped out his market, and began making pesto using ingredients from his kitchen garden. He sold them at local craft markets–one satisfied customer at a time.

Later, he began producing healthier sausage options, which soon became his top-selling product. He faced challenges, especially with supply, but he innovated and persevered. Today, Del Mano Food products are on supermarket shelves and in regional markets.

He didn’t get lucky–he built it.

And now, through this programme, you can:

Build your legacy

Build the SME sector

Build Trinidad and Tobago

Graduates, believe me, the world you’re about to enter has its challenges–especially in a time of global economic, environmental, technological, and social uncertainty.

But the TT Chamber is here to support you. We fundamentally believe in the potential of SMEs as key to economic diversification and social transformation.

Last year’s theme for our annual business meeting was Pathways to Prosperity, and this year it is Creating Shared Prosperity: Turning Talk into Action.

With a legacy of 146 years, the Chamber is not just about talk–we’re about action.

We continue to advance the interests of our members, building a stronger and more resilient Trinidad and Tobago.

For decades, we’ve urged the government to diversify our economy and reduce our dependence on oil and gas. But we didn’t stop at lobbying–we took action.

Today, over 66% of our members are SMEs.

Through our Nova (SME Development) Committee and the dedication of our board, we’ve worked passionately to build this sector because we see it as the backbone of a strong economy.

We’ve:

Successfully lobbied for VAT refunds with the Ministry of Finance

Signed an MoU with the TT Stock Exchange to support SME listings

Partnered with CAF and Eximbank to host our first SME Conference, Catalyst – Propelling SMEs for Success

Led trade missions to Belize, Curaçao, and Las Vegas, giving SMEs exposure to new markets and export opportunities

This is just a glimpse of what the Chamber is doing–and what you, as future members, will soon have access to.

So let me extend a warm invitation: engage with us. Stay connected. Attend our forums. Bring your ideas. Your voice matters.

As I close, let me return to our graduation theme:

Dream it. Plan it. Build it.

I implore you to:

Dream boldly, even when others doubt you.

Plan wisely, even if it means constantly re-strategising.

Build persistently, even when your goals seem out of reach.

We at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce believe in your potential to succeed.

We look forward to working with you and being your voice.

Congratulations, and thank you.