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Caller: Virgin Islanders capable of creating their own jobs

A caller on Speak out BVI Says Virgin Islanders capable of coming up with their own ideas and create jobs for themselves. Photo: phd2published.com
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Annoyed by the constant complaints made by unemployed Virgin Islanders who can’t get a job, one caller on Speak Out BVI says the people of the Territory can create their own jobs but some of them are lazy.

On the show that aired on Tuesday night, July 10, 2012, the female caller said she is tired of the unemployed Virgin Islanders who are staying home saying that they are not able to find a job.

“Virgin Islanders need to stop looking at others and their career, stop being complacent and do something on their own.”

The caller told Mr. Wheatley, who is the host of the show, that the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) possess the knowledge to create their own jobs. She added that there are so many people on the island who are talented in so many areas, but their talents are going to waste, because they want a job like their neighbours or friend.

“When I was growing up I was told that we are all given talents,so why are we always reaching out and depending on other people for jobs, when we can take care of ourselves.”

She said that everyone was born with a skill, and whatever that skill is, they can get paid for it.

“God gave everyone a mind, and with that mind there are so many creative ideas one can do to finance themselves and become entrepreneurs.”

No matter your academic background she stated that everyone should be educated enough and has common sense to form some idea and create a job.

“One’s job should be something they love and they are skillful at it. If you are not lucky enough to be hired, why sit around and make noise, when at the same time you can be doing something for yourself.

Before coming off the line, she said that people of the VI are too complacent and need to wake up and realize what’s going on.

14 Responses to “Caller: Virgin Islanders capable of creating their own jobs”

  • bed time stories (12/07/2012, 14:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    lazy please!!!!
    • val (27/08/2012, 21:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Doug, I will be visiting Tortola shortly and would like to meet with you and Mike O'Neal. We studied together at I.A.U. along with Lakeram from Guyana and other Guyanese. I have read some of the comments on Mike's recent book and some of your comments on your talk show. I have lived in Florida for the past 33 years and have my own views on dealing with unemployment which I will share with you later. Would like to get your e-mail address.
      VAL
  • jeff (12/07/2012, 14:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    But you done know no one wants to hire a local
    • Period Cramps (12/07/2012, 16:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      das the same mentality there. the caller not talking about no hiring. this is your country what happen to starting you rown business? if you that confident in your ability to work for somebody you shoudl be confident to starrt your own thing especially if you taking licks. stop the madness, if you dont want to take risks you will forever suffer.
    • @Jeff (12/07/2012, 16:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That is crap. I'm a local and I have a job. The caller is local, and when she didn't get a job she did exactly what she said, she made her own business and lives off of it without getting any handouts from government or any other person, agency, etc. Your response alone tells me something about you, and you probably wouldn't get hired by another local. If you look around you'll see how many locals are hiring Philipinos. Locals brought them here. You may say that's because they'll take less money, and that is true. But check them out at the grocery stores. You can get one of them to WALK you to a shelf and get you something. On the other hand there are qualified locals being passed over in favor of people from elsewhere. Why? The minute you say that you do not require a work permit that employer thinks you are going to be nothing but trouble. These days you are better off saying nothing about your status unless specifically asked. Being "from here" or a Belonger is like poison in the workplace. Which is very sad and all of us who are being discriminated against because we are "from here" have people like you, with attitudes like yours, to thank for it. Those of us out there doing our thing are just exhausted from being dragged down by folks like you. You all weigh a ton.
  • Fill the Gaps (12/07/2012, 16:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    As an expat I have to admit that I don't understand the younger generation complaining about lack of work. There isn't a day goes by that my friends and I aren't wishing there was a product or service available in the BVI that we could get back in our home countries. Many of us talk about wishing we could forget our education and careers here in the BVI and get a trade license to operate a business providing the things that people are missing out on. But we know we'd never be approved for that license. As a friend said, the BVI is still young. For great ideas you can compare this country to any small town USA in the 50's, 60's 70's and utilize the new ideas for services generated over those years to provide to the communities and you can easily see what is lacking and can be adapted to here. There are so many business opportunities that no one has even thought to introduce to the BVI. There are many ways of taking what is being provided and updating that service to make it better; modernized. There are chances to get in at the start and make a solid business with the potential of earning a whole lot of money. But no one seems interested in making an effort. It's easier to sit on the wall and talk about how everyone has let you down. Yes, it is easier!! but sitting on your behind doing nothing will always result in you sitting on your behind doing nothing. The young generation needs to look at what there is and what the gaps are between what people want and what they receive. Identify those gaps and develop a plan of action to fill them and you will be developing your own job and manner in which to earn a living. Many a millionaire started from an idea, but the millionaire got up every day and made his/her idea come to fruition.
    • @Fill the Gaps (13/07/2012, 10:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I'd love to meet with you to discuss what you see the gaps are. I'd love to find a way to fill some of them. The way things are going here, and some of the things that are coming into play as some of us get older, a fall back plan, with substance, is absolutely necessary for making a living and being happy doing it. Having a job with benefits is great but I'm not sure how many are going to survive "business bvi style". I'm looking for a business that will get support, so far I've not found one. So I'm looking for fresh ideas. All help/ideas will be appreciated.
  • Period Cramps (12/07/2012, 16:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The caller is right, we around here will cut eachother throat for a 'job' just to be a 'helper' before we get up and do our own thing. Then when the help is no longer needed we vex and want to blame government, be your own man/woman, take risks, do somethin with yourselves instead of complaining. a lot of the innovative ideas and businesses formed by expats here could've easily been done by locals but we busy looking jobs instead of opportunity. that's the problem. nobody want to take risk and when others take the risks and get the rewards we vex. we want people take the risk and we get the reward but it dont wuk so. but trust me we going learn hoook or crook, no choice but to!
  • E. Leonard (12/07/2012, 20:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Virgin Islanders have several ways and means to earn income. One means is working directly for government, government institutions, or statutory bodies. Government is a major employer and perhaps the employer of choice in the territory. Up until the mid 1960's, employment opportunities were few. Tourism and financial services start taking root in the mid 1960's and mid 1980's, respectively, creating more and diversified job opportunities. Another means is working for a business in the private sector. And yet another means is owning one's own business to provide a good or service to consumers. However, owning a business is a venture with opportunities and risks. Businesses are started to provide a good or service that consumers are demanding. Though there may be a demand for a good or service, a business must turn a profit consistently to keep the doors open. The BVI population is small and many Virgin Islanders who have the knowledge, skills and ability may or may not be able to start and sustain a business. Given the small customer base, the more businesses there are the more the market is segmented and the less profit or no profit may be realized. This may be a driver for some exorbitant prices. Profit is primarily made by "turning" goods or services; the higher the volume of goods sold even at low prices the higher profit that may be made. Churning goods or services is vital in business. Another way of earning profit is from selling specialty items, i.e., pianos, appliances, musical instruments...etc with low turns at higher prices. These higher are needed to cover the carrying cost of these items that are sold infrequently. What is the failure rate of business start ups in the BVI? My comments are not intended to discourage anyone from starting a business. But to start a business, one must understand the theory of business, its structures, customer demand, competition, profit and loss, expenses, the value offered to customers, and operations. Finally, tourism and financial services are the twin towers of the BVI's economy. But are Virgin Islanders being effectively trained and educated to take advantage of direct employment in these industries, as well as start businesses incident to these industries. The Dept. of Education is taking a commendable first step by introducing both subjects in public schools.
  • killer (12/07/2012, 23:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    To be honest, anyone virgin islanders who does not get a job it's because they do not want one!!! so they better hire us or else they are asking for trouble.
    • @killer (13/07/2012, 11:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who is asking for trouble? Employers are hiring expats every day instead of Virgin Islanders. It actually does not pay to tell an employer you are a Virgin Islander or that you do not require a work permit because that can actually get an offer of a job rescinded. It gives them the idea that you think being a Virgin Islander puts you in some special category and that will make you more trouble that it's worth. So they'd rather pay for a work permit! Work permits can be released and the person/problem goes away. You children have no idea what's happening in the world much less in the Virgin Islands.
  • Diaspora (13/07/2012, 21:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    True, many Virgin Islanders have the talent and skill to start a business. But having the talent and skill does not guarantee success in business. Opening a business can bring huge success, as well as bring failure. Consequently, opening a business requires preparation and serious decision making. A business has to do the following to be succesfull provide value forcustomers, be organized, established a competive advantage, exercise strict control and it must make a profit. Every business must make a profit. It must have revenues to cover expenses, reinvest in and growth the business, pay the rent or mortgage, to cover utilities, to buy insurance, to cover individual or family medical and dental costs, to pay school fees or college fees or cover general overhead......etc. There may demand for a good or service but a business must sell enough of them to sustain itself and meet the owners need. Many businesses in the BVI when they first open have that novelty effect but in time the effect wanes. The landcspe is littered with skeletons of failed ventured. However, there also many successful businesses that endured. Studies has shown that businesses that most businesses do not turn a profit when it first opens. Initial working capital is needed to sustain the business during this start up this period. Further, in any society only a limited number of businesses can exist. Every business needs customers to thrive. We can encourage all citizens in the territory to start a business but the reality most citizens will not be self-employed. And self-employment may not be the. best choice for many. Pursuing self-emplomrnt is a choice that all Virgin Islanders have but they must explore the pros and cons of self-employment.
  • smdh (14/07/2012, 00:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    one question if creating a business need money to make money how the hell we not working gonna create jobs for ourselves when we cant make no money cause of unemployment? not all of us come from money and got it lying around
  • Confucius (14/07/2012, 10:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When was the last time any of us saw any Virgin Islanders hanging around the roundabout looking for work? I have only ever seen outside workers there. I have not once seen a Virgin Islander there ready to go to work. When was the last time anyone saw any flyers or ads offering babysitting services, yard cleaning, painting, handyman, or delivery services by Virgin Islanders? From humble beginnings come great things! Nobody says you have to do yard work or baby sit for twenty years! Many businesses have been started on less than $10,000.00. Many years ago, I started my company with $400.00 to my name and bills to pay. I painted, I cleaned, I did yard work, I did house cleaning, I did anything I could find ~ and I SAVED my money until I had enough to get started on my dream. It took me less than a year to get my nest egg to start my business. Once I got going, I had to work nights and weekends at a local restaurant to supplement my income because it takes time for a business to get off the ground. It takes hard work, diligence, commitment and a willingness to see your dream through, no matter how hard it may seem for the first five years. It is called "paying your dues". Once your business takes off, you still have to work hard ~ you just won't have to work nights and weekends anymore! :) The problem with the younger people today is that they are not self starters. They expect to walk into an air conditioned office, sit at a desk and get paid $40,000.00 a year from the get go. Life simply doesn't work that way. If you get paid $10.00 per hour to clean yards, you will be doing quite well. Work for yourself, PAY YOUR DUES and you WILL be rewarded and the master of your own destiny! Working for other people is fine for the masses ~ but if you think you are special, are intelligent, have talent, determination and a willingness to work hard FOR YOURSELF, then get out there and figure out a way to realize your dreams! Pick up some self help books if you really can't think of how to get started. The roundabout seems like a no brainer to me! Invest $10.00 in your future and make a sign! Show people you mean business and WANT to work! The sign should read something like: Will do yard work, babysitting, house cleaning, window cleaning, painting, yadayada ~ $10.00 per hour. Please hire me! Of course you would substitute whatever it is you are willing to do and are good at. Sitting on your posterior, moaning and groaning that there are no jobs and that you are being discriminated against because you are a BVIslander, does not add anything to your bank account. There are lots and lots of young people vying for the position of chief moaner and groaner. None of them are making any more money than you! Get out there and make your own job! Many of us have done exactly that in the past and the smart ones amongst today's young people will do the same. The rest will continue to moan and groan until one day they finally get a government job filing papers and answering phones. Perhaps they will even get recognized as employee of the month some day! Yippeeee!


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