Canadian diplomat promotes youth entrepreneurship but advises against free labour
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Emina Tudakovic, is encouraging youths to get into the field of entrepreneurship, noting that it can be rewarding.
However, in the same vein, her advice includes the importance of not working for free, unless it is part of one’s strategy.
“You will work hard and will need to work hard but it can be very rewarding to be an entrepreneur and have a small business, not always financially, but the experience that you can get and what you will learn…,” stated Tudakovic.
“Take risks, but make them calculated. Do your research, ask questions, be curious and ask for help. Have a plan. Check that plan frequently and adjust as needed. Be organised, very organised. Manage your time. Know about money stuff. Pay yourself. Don’t work for free unless it is part of your strategy. Learn how to manage the money. You will sometimes fail but learn from it and enjoy the sweet success when they do come and good luck,” advised Tudakovic.
The high commissioner stressed that youth-led entrepreneurship leverages young people’s talent and capacity, hence Canada’s long-standing assistance to the region.
“For that reason, Canada is pleased to have provided CA$16 million to the Caribbean to support sustainable growth and market access for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Caribbean with a particular focus on women-owned small and medium enterprises,” stated Tudakovic.
“We are also proud to be working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through this initiative to promote small and medium-sized enterprise innovation… of Caribbean communities,” she added.
Overall, the high commissioner said the project is expected to support 1,166 small and medium-sized enterprises and generate 10,000 new jobs. She said Jamaica represents 11 per cent of the region’s total figure.
Tudakovic was addressing the final day of the third staging of Outsource 2 Jamaica conference — exhibition — career summit 2021 on Saturday. The two-day conference is being held virtually from a location in Montego Bay.
Anthony Lewis
