Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Pearls VI cops Business of the Year 2015!

- also snatches Innovative Business of the Year title
Pearls VI last evening February 29, 2016 stunned and shocked the audience gathered at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College by scooping up both the Innovative Business of the Year and Business of the Year titles for the year 2015. At centre with trophies is winning business owner Alexandra V. Durante. Photo: VINO
Durante (centre) poses with Karia J. Christopher, Director of the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, Governor John S. Duncan, Jr Minister of Trade and Investment Promotion Marlon A. Penn and her parents. Photo: VINO
Durante (centre) poses with Karia J. Christopher, Director of the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, Governor John S. Duncan, Jr Minister of Trade and Investment Promotion Marlon A. Penn and her parents. Photo: VINO
Host of the show Karia J. Christopher, Director of the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs. Photo: VINO
Host of the show Karia J. Christopher, Director of the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs. Photo: VINO
Owner of Pearls VI Alexandra V. Durante expressed surprise at the wins. Photo: VINO
Owner of Pearls VI Alexandra V. Durante expressed surprise at the wins. Photo: VINO
Musa Mohammed of F & H Halal Outlet making his pitch to the judges. Photo: VINO
Musa Mohammed of F & H Halal Outlet making his pitch to the judges. Photo: VINO
Akiya Brewley pitching her business to the judges. Photo: VINO
Akiya Brewley pitching her business to the judges. Photo: VINO
Hubert Lennard Jr. pitching his business Greencrete BVI to the judges. Photo: VINO
Hubert Lennard Jr. pitching his business Greencrete BVI to the judges. Photo: VINO
Sasha D. A. Flax explaining to the judges how she manages her business The Rock Cafe on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
Sasha D. A. Flax explaining to the judges how she manages her business The Rock Cafe on Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
Eileen Bourke had a mini-theatrical production to pitch her business Mi Amor Jewellers. Photo: VINO
Eileen Bourke had a mini-theatrical production to pitch her business Mi Amor Jewellers. Photo: VINO
Kristin C. Frazer had a mini-fashion runway to pitch her business Trefle Designs. Photo: VINO
Kristin C. Frazer had a mini-fashion runway to pitch her business Trefle Designs. Photo: VINO
Alexandra V. Durante on stage before the judges pitching her business Pearls VI. Photo: VINO
Alexandra V. Durante on stage before the judges pitching her business Pearls VI. Photo: VINO
Toni Simpson pitching her Sole Day Spa business to the judges. Photo: VINO
Toni Simpson pitching her Sole Day Spa business to the judges. Photo: VINO
Linette Baa of Bella Blooms pitching her business to the judges. Photo: VINO
Linette Baa of Bella Blooms pitching her business to the judges. Photo: VINO
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI – Pearls VI last evening February 29, 2016 shone brightly over its competition at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay, Tortola after scooping up both the Innovative Business of the Year and Business of the Year titles for the year 2015.

It was the culmination of an almost year long process whereby a business was awarded Business of the Month every month by the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs.

Last evening, the nine businesses faced off in a hotly contested competition akin to the television show Shark Tank, where business owners had to pitch their business operations and plans for expansion to a panel of professionals who were brutal in their questioning and assessments.

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. 

The winner 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 her business. 

When approached for a reaction to her business winning both the Innovative Business of the Year and Business of the Year 2015 titles, business owner Alexandra V. Durante said she was shocked and surprised by the accomplishment. 

“I am shocked. I mean everybody put together a good run. I’ve had many sleepless nights this week,” she said. 

“But I pulled it together and I knew that I had a good run and that I was up against really good people so I needed to make an impact right away....but I feel amazing. It means that our hard work has paid off,” she said following her win. 

Prior to the announcement of the winners, each of the contestants had two minutes to pitch their business to the five judges.

The show was hosted by Director of the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Karia J. Christopher and speeches came from Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8).

16 Responses to “Pearls VI cops Business of the Year 2015!”

  • just asking.... (01/03/2016, 09:07) Like (7) Dislike (12) Reply
    Are the government picking winners and loosers?
  • Good Going (01/03/2016, 09:20) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    I must say, this show was great. Not a typical government function, top notch. Excellent job Trade.
    • Family Affair (01/03/2016, 10:41) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
      That durante girl is Dr Smith family .all of them are peter island desendants.
      • @FAMILY AFFAIR (01/03/2016, 12:46) Like (32) Dislike (2) Reply
        I have known her my whole life.... she is not related to Dr. Smith. Get your facts right before you comment. She was the best, she deserved to win. Tell whoever it is that you are hollering for that they need to step it up next time - shes an inspiration to many people so put your misinformed and uneducated opinions in a box and sit with them because nobody else wants to hear you....
        • A PROUD BVISLANDER. (01/03/2016, 15:58) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
          ALEX IS A HARDWORKING AND CREATIVE WOMAN WITH PARENTS WHO ARE HARDWORKING AND CREATIVE..WONDERFUL FOR THE FAMILY WHO DESERVE WITH PRIDE, THEIR DAUGHTER ALEX...AND THEY DO THE TREE OF HANDS FOR THE POOR CHILDREN AT CHRISTMAS TIME...LUTIA IS A FINE ARTIST AND SUCCESSFUL IN HIS OWN RIGHTS AND ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP ANY ONE...CAROLE, HER MOTHER WORKS LONG AND SERIOUS HOURS AT THE HOSPITAL AS A BRILLIANT AND CARING NURSE AND HAS FOR YEARS...AND BAKES FOR EVENTS, AND COOKS FOR THOSE IN NEED...THEY ARE ALL FINE AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE TRUE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDERS.
    • @ Good Going (01/03/2016, 11:52) Like (4) Dislike (18) Reply
      shelf praise is no praise at all Karia your dept is in CASOS just ask Mattie
      • please (01/03/2016, 12:52) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
        Give the girl the credit, the damn thing was excellent. It was super, really well done.
  • yes (01/03/2016, 11:25) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    That Durante girl stunned everyone. She cleaned up and it was fair.
  • they're making all the government money (01/03/2016, 11:26) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    How come they left out Ronnie, Stone, Tobin, Percy, Claude, Crabbe and Whitehead???
  • Ha! (01/03/2016, 11:53) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    more waste of tax payers $$$$
  • Observer (01/03/2016, 12:03) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    A beautifully executed event, cheers to The Director of Trade and her staff.
  • Ms Thing (01/03/2016, 14:47) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Just another forum for ms c to ask like she doing thing
  • Umm (01/03/2016, 15:55) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Haters will always be haters. that's life what else is new?
  • Bummed (01/03/2016, 21:59) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Aww man. This was last night??? I wanted to go to this but I didn't pay close enough attention to the date. Congrats to the winner.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.