The spirit of innovation, creativity and ambition that lies within the young people of the Virgin Islands was celebrated during the third annual Youth Business Expo on November 15, 2025. Photo: Facebook

Best Promotional Booth Ages 9-17 winner Kaylee Smith of Island Flavours (left) and Best Promotional Booth Ages 18-30 winner J’Nique Williams of Epitome (right). Photo: Faceboon/JTV Channel 55

Aspiring Youth-preneur Award Ages 9–13 winner De’Nya Winter of Fashion is Everything (left) and Aspiring Youth-preneur Award Ages 14–17 winner Sowmaya Faulkner of Sugar Snaps (right). Photo: Facebook/JTV Channel 55

Most Innovative Business winner Abesha Jessop of Holistic Beauty Supplies (left) and Best Business Pitch winner Ciara Evans of Cici Creative Crafts (right). Photo: Facebook/JTV Channel 55

People’s Choice Award winner Cekhoy Fraser of Creative Kids Nation. Photo: Facebook/JTV Channel 55

The event, hosted by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports under the theme ‘Empowering Entrepreneurs, Strengthening Communities’, was held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex in Road Town. 

A total of 41 registered youth entrepreneurs participated in this year’s Youth Business Expo. 

Acting Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shaunice A. Leonard said, “Each of them has brought forward ideas, passion and their determination to build something meaningful.”

Winners

Seven awards were distributed during the event, and the winners are as follows: 

• Best Promotional Booth (Ages 9–17): Kaylee Smith (Island Flavours)
• Best Promotional Booth (Ages 18–30): J’Nique Williams (Epitome)
• Aspiring Youth-preneur Award (Ages 9–13): De’Nya Winter (Fashion is Everything)
• Aspiring Youth-preneur Award (Ages 14–17): Sowmaya Faulkner (Sugar Snaps)
• Most Innovative Business: Abesha Jessop (Holistic Beauty Supplies)
• Best Business Pitch: Ciara Evans (Cici Creative Crafts)
• People’s Choice Award: Cekhoy Fraser (Creative Kids Nation)

Your dreams are not too much- Hon de Castro

Meanwhile, Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro, told those gathered, “My own work, the ministry’s work, the government’s work, is to water the seeds of your ambition, young people. It is to clear the stones from your path and make sure that when you reach upward, you find sunlight, not ceilings.”

Hon de Castro added that this is why two of the government’s priority areas for scholarships and grants are the creative industries and entrepreneurship. 

“What was once misunderstood is now embraced as a pillar of our future. So I want to encourage every young entrepreneur here this afternoon. Your ideas are not too wild, your timing is absolutely not too early, and your dreams are not too much.”