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Be innovative: Everyone can’t open a hair salon – Hon Marlon A. Penn 

- called on territory to support its small businesses which he described as drivers of the economy 
Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion Honourable Marlon A. Penn said it was important to encourage small businesses in the territory to be innovative and warned against a hair salon on every corner. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith with Colin O'Neal, son of one of the honourees of the night J.R. O'Neal, and Hon Marlon A. Penn on Monday February 29, 2016 at the Business of the Year awards. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith with Colin O'Neal, son of one of the honourees of the night J.R. O'Neal, and Hon Marlon A. Penn on Monday February 29, 2016 at the Business of the Year awards. Photo: VINO
Hon Penn cited the example of everyone wanting to own a truck because of someone they see being a successful truck driver or everyone rushing to open a hair salon when they may already have many in the same community.  “Someone might see a trucker and everyone wants to become a truck driver... you may see a salon. Then you have 20 salons around the corner,” he said. Photo: www.manecreations.com
Hon Penn cited the example of everyone wanting to own a truck because of someone they see being a successful truck driver or everyone rushing to open a hair salon when they may already have many in the same community.  “Someone might see a trucker and everyone wants to become a truck driver... you may see a salon. Then you have 20 salons around the corner,” he said. Photo: www.manecreations.com
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI – Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) said it was important to encourage small businesses in the territory to be innovative and warned against a hair salon on every corner.

He was at the time delivering remarks at the Business of the Year award ceremony held at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay on the Virgin Islands’ main island of Tortola on Monday February 29, 2016.

“We all know that small business is the drivers of any economy,” said the Junior Minister, who is also the Eighth District Representative.

He said the display seen from the various businesses during the competition is but a testament to the work that had been done in developing the sector through the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs and Investment Promotion.

Hon Penn also said that as the mantle was passed to him to develop small businesses by Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, he takes this mantle with vigour, energy and zeal to move the businesses of the territory forward.

He called small businesses critical to the territory’s overall growth and success.

The Junior Minister urged that persons support small businesses.

“So I expect you to buy some of Kristin’s swimwear, which means that you may have to go to the gym and get in shape,” he said jokingly, referring to one of the competitors for Business of the Year Trefle Designs by Kristin C. Frazer.

'Be innovative'

Further, Hon Penn urged that persons be innovative and not just follow the trend.

He cited the example of everyone wanting to own a truck because of someone they see being a successful truck driver or everyone rushing to open a hair salon when they may already have many in the same community.

“Someone might see a trucker and everyone wants to become a truck driver... you may see a salon, then you have 20 salons around the corner,” he said.

Honourable Penn is one of two Junior Ministers appointed by the Government to assist in driving Government's policies. The other is Honourable Archibald C. Christian, the Junior Minister for Tourism and At Large Representative.

Meanwhile, the Innovative Business of the Year and Business of the Year titles for the year 2015 were both won by Pearls VI, owned by young Virgin Islander Alexandra V. Durante.

Pearls VI received a sum of $5,000 for copping the title of Innovative Business of the Year and $12,500 for the title of Business of the Year, monies which will go towards the development of the business.

The businesses taking part in the competition, all of whom were adjudged Business of the Month at some point in 2015, were F & M Halal Outlet, Akiya Brewley Designs, Greencrete BVI, The Rock Cafe, Mi Amor Jewellers, Trefle Designs, Pearls VI, Sole Day Spa and Bella Blooms.

Trefle Designs won the People’s Choice Awards, voted by members of the audience using voting cards.

24 Responses to “Be innovative: Everyone can’t open a hair salon – Hon Marlon A. Penn ”

  • time will tell (03/03/2016, 09:15) Like (18) Dislike (28) Reply
    so this man wants to tell us what kind of business to open? Are we in Cuba?
    • Boo (03/03/2016, 20:53) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
      Nah North Korean Virgin Islands. You sir may not open a hair saloon
    • shed some light (09/03/2016, 15:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Honestly, he is looking out for your best interest which is to make money. Opening a new salon when there are already 10 in your community you will only get a you portion of the money that you could make if it was just 3 salons.

  • BuzzBvi (03/03/2016, 09:17) Like (18) Dislike (11) Reply
    So after the cartoon Smuf is trying to be relevant hahahaha
  • Bushmaster (03/03/2016, 09:23) Like (27) Dislike (3) Reply
    Persons can invest their money however they feel like. The market will decide who wins and looses
    • @ Bushmaster (03/03/2016, 15:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      that is so right
    • chad (04/03/2016, 14:08) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      Bush master you are right the market will decide. However Marlon was not being negative, he is simply encouraging us to be creative and have fresh ideas. It's unfortunate the readers didn't notice that.
  • A Fan (03/03/2016, 09:32) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    Say what you want but Trade has never seen this kind of positive energy even with big talker OJ. Mrs. Christopher is doing an excellent job and I hope they recognize her emmense talent.
  • EAOH (03/03/2016, 09:39) Like (28) Dislike (6) Reply
    I agree with the man. You need innovative thinking and diversity in the BVI small business sector. One way to curb there being too much of one thing is to merge these businesses. Find someone you can partner with, someone in your field and merge resources to make something bigger. OR create a network, two or three of you come together and offer a particular service each, referring clients to people in your network for the other services (which they would offer).

    Look for a new spin on an old service. Research and bring in a whole new one. For those who have a million ideas a second, find the people who are natural workhorses, and vise versa. The BVI is prime for new ideas and creative twists. What the minister said is very relevant, so lets not gripe and take take it for what it is: Good advice.
  • wow (03/03/2016, 09:51) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ever hear of the free market when businesses have to compete against each other it is the consumer that wins, I thought everyone knows that
    • @SMH (03/03/2016, 10:06) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      Ever hear that most of the "competitors" are owned by the same company? (cola/pepsi, mcdonald/burger king, gap/banana republic/old navy, Chevy/Buick/Cadillac/Hummer/Pontiac, yaa dee dah...) This aint the Hunger Games....
      • wow (03/03/2016, 18:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        That doesn't apply to the bvi, choose a better example next time
        • @SMH (04/03/2016, 08:59) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
          It does. Business is business. Regardless of the place or brand, the principal applies. Or do you see us a set of small isolated islands? the real money is to be made outside our borders, thinking trends that aren't native to us would never affect us is small-minded #elevateyaself
          • ...... (04/03/2016, 10:12) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
            To the person who is responding to SMH, you all ain't tired talk stupidness? The issue here is too many businesses want to open hair salons or too many of the same things. If most of them are owned by the same company, what the hell would the problem be? If they were owned by the same set of people, they won't be complaining that there are too many. Using your logic, do you hear Coke complaining that they are too many McDonalds around, or Chevy saying that there are too many Cadillacs on the road??? I mean come on man, stop talking nonsense. Then you going come talking some nonsense about isolated islands and money being made outside our borders......Most of these businesses are just that, Small Businesses. 99% of them won't even consider operating outside the VI. And just to educate you a bit, Pepsi and Coke are two completely different companies. You'll never see Pepsi in a McDonalds. And you will never see Coke in a KFC. You figure the rest out.
            • @..... (04/03/2016, 16:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
              One - Thank you for the correction, the example, however, still stands
              two - You are correct. Most won't consider. Those are the business that stagnate, unable to adapt and grow.

              and of course those business dont complain, they price and advertise so that everybody get a piece of the bread, while keeping cost good for the customers

              I understand that what i said dont make sense to you, that is ok. I'll keep my insane advice. #elevateyaself
  • the big question (03/03/2016, 10:13) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    marlon ever ran a business???
  • Yep (03/03/2016, 11:47) Like (17) Dislike (8) Reply
    Marlon you have breath to waste on these idiots. They continue fighting down each other while the expats come in and start niche businesses and reap all the benefits. Then these same people will blame Government instead of themselves. They see Paul selling T-Shirts and think he is making a killing, so 5 more people open T shirt shops thinking they will all make what Paul was making. We need to have business in our schools from 1st year of high school straight through.
  • Guest (03/03/2016, 11:51) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    Of course everyone can't open a hair salon, that's why some become offshore pharmacists and sea transportation logistics specialists(STLS for short).
    • Boo (03/03/2016, 20:57) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      lol But then you can't apply for a license to catch square plastic fish. lol @ pharmaceutical sea transport logistics. What would the add look like "now hiring. Applicant must be able to navigate go fast boat at night without lights. Ability to swim long distances at night after jumping from speeding boat will be an asset"
  • Marlon (03/03/2016, 12:08) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Schups
  • Well Well (03/03/2016, 18:47) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    The problem is not the number of salon...the problem is the number of locals who are opening salons (and other businesses) for expats. The government need to find away to regulate this practice and I am pretty you to see a significant reduction in the number of salons that we continue to see popping up.

    Think about it; how many salons are operated by locals (max 7)? We need to get to the root cause of this problem.

  • the problem is (03/03/2016, 22:58) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    FRONTING
  • Not me (04/03/2016, 10:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is right. There are at least 20 beauty salons in East End, Long Look alone you can find them in all kind a little nook and cranny even in people apartments. If it have so much in East alone. That should tell you what's happening.


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