While working in finance at one of the largest commercial banks in the Caribbean, I had the privilege of working with many companies who needed to gain access to financing to improve or sustain their businesses.
During this time I identified that many small businesses’ growth was limited by their Owner’s lack of understanding of the key elements of financial management even more than it was related to the product or service they offered.
This lack of financial knowledge also caused small businesses and start-ups to be denied financing opportunities because the banks are unable to justify their earnings or their future potential due to a lack of proper financial structure. The owners were also unable to show that they were capable of managing the business’s finances.
It was my job to guide these clients and set them on a path to financial maturity leading to improved business health. As I dealt with client after client, I realized that lack of financial knowledge among entrepreneurs was and still is more prevalent than I thought. While I was going through my own rebirth financially and just coming into my own financial strength I was at the same time guiding my clients through their journey from a personal and business perspective.
Fortunately for me being in banking allowed me to learn from my clients’ mistakes as well as learn from their successes. I had first-hand knowledge and experience of what works and what didn’t work because I was one of the people assessing loans for approval and making suggestions on what financial products are beneficial to the clients.
I helped clients who were dedicated and consistent to get from a state of unpreparedness to a more mature state financially and by extension witnessed their business grow. I developed a passion and interest in helping clients from the start of their financial journey through to their independence as opposed to being an Investment Banker or a Financial Advisor. I absolutely prefer and find joy in preparing my clients to take on investments and other financial goals.
I want to take this success to more entrepreneurs so that our country can have a healthy and thriving small business sector which is the backbone of our economy. I am here as a vehicle through which small business owners can upgrade their financial mindset and drive the success of their businesses.