PARAMARIBO – On Saturday, October 2, around 30 entrepreneurs logged onto Zoom for the first of a series of monthly workshops for entrepreneurs organized by the U.S. Embassy and its American Corner, housed at the Cultural Center Suriname (CCS).
The workshop, titled “Spice Up Your Brand,” gave insightful tips and skills to business owners and potential entrepreneurs on how to develop their brand to increase their customer base and expand their businesses.
“Entrepreneurship is a characteristic that both of our nations greatly value and share,” said U.S. Ambassador to Suriname Karen Lynn Williams in opening the virtual session. “It is the root of economic stability, not just personally but also for your
family and for your nation. That’s why the U.S. Embassy is so committed to supporting events like this in the field of entrepreneurship.”
Saturday’s session was the first in a planned monthly series of workshops being organized by alumni of the U.S. State Department’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), an exchange program for entrepreneurs between 25 and 35 years old. The free workshops are exclusive for members of the YLAI Network, an online repository of virtual classes and resources for business owners and budding entrepreneurs of any age and ability. Information on joining the YLAI Network can be found at YLAI.state.gov. The goal is to hold future workshops in person when pandemic restrictions permit, giving participants a greater chance to network and develop their business contacts.
“Spice Up Your Brand” was led by YLAI alum Ruiz Kartoredjo and entrepreneur Anuskha Sonai. The monthly series is being organized by YLAI alumni Moreno Jackson and Rajiv Hieralal.
This is just the latest program being offered by the U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo to strengthen entrepreneurship in Suriname. The Embassy’s American Corner will soon launch the third year of the Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Program Suriname (YIEPS), a business plan development workshop with a pitching contest for young budding entrepreneurs. For the past two years the Embassy has also offered the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), which provides hands-on guidance and a world class on-line curriculum for entrepreneurs. And the Embassy’s Female Led Innovative Rural Startups (FLIRS) program is currently providing mentoring and training to women throughout Suriname. The Embassy is also a sponsor of the Startup Huddle Paramaribo, a regular gathering place for
business owners to gain new insights into how to overcome their biggest challenges.
To receive details on future YLAI Network workshops and other U.S. Embassy entrepreneurship development programs, and to access free on-line courses, join the YLAI Network at YLAI.state.gov and follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Embassy.Paramaribo
