Meet GEW’s Fashiontrepreneur.
THIRTY-FOUR year bold Joanne Asson is bubbling with excitement after winning the GEW Fashiontrepreneur title last weekend.
Asson who hails from Monchy, Gros Islet, is now looking forward to a rewarding career in the fashion business. She told the VOICE yesterday: “No longer will I simply be going with the glow, I now intend to begin directing the flow”.
Her victory last Sunday came after an eight year active involvement in the designing business. She said she feels that her talent is now being recognized and she is looking forward to the future. “I now eat, live and sleep fashion designing”, she said.
Host organization, The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, in collaboration with GEW partners celebrated GEW 2016 with various activities in the north and south of the island. The theme for the week was “Harnessing the Entrepreneur in You (TH)” and it brought into focus the need to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystems in St. Lucia which can translate to job creation, thereby contributing to economic growth.
GEW celebrations began with an “Entrepreneurs Speed Networking Forum” hosted by the RBC Royal Bank on November 14. Successful entrepreneurs and professionals in the field of Marketing, Information Technology, Public Relations, Law, Accounting and Banking, shared their experience and provided individual consultancy to approximately 45 aspiring young entrepreneurs. In his address at the launch, Managing Director RBC Barbados and Market Head, Business Banking for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Kevin Darling told young entrepreneurs to take advantage of forums such as the speed networking event to network, be mentored and inspired.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Commerce, Industry, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, Bradley Felix informed the veteran and young entrepreneurs at the launch of the ongoing work of his department, assuring them of government’s support saying: “We will continue to revise policy, develop infrastructure and engage in individual consultation with each and every one of you, all in an effort to assist you on your path to success. You are the pillars of our economy, our pioneers of commerce, our engines of growth, the visionaries of our future and the builders of our great nation, Saint Lucia and are deserving of our respect, our admiration and full support. ”
The GEW Fashiontrepreneur competition took place at the Golden Palm Events Center and brought the curtain down on the GEW 2016 celebrations. Joanne Asson, DevyneCadette, JemimaHarrigan , Solange Alfred and Shantel Jn Baptiste, showcased their creativity by designing a garment inspired by the GEW logo. In winning the contest Ms. Asson received a cash prize of $2500.00 plus a voucher of $250.00 to pursue a business programme at an institution of her choice. She also won the “Most Marketable design” prize.
Second place went to ShantelJn Baptiste who received a cash prize of $1500.00 plus a voucher of $250.00 to pursue a business programme at an institution of her choice while third was Ms. Jemima Harrigan who received a cash prize of $800.00. Ms. Solange Alfred was adjudged “Most promising designer.”
All participants received certificates of participation and will display their designs at the “Strut for a Cause” tonight at the Sandals Grande.
The organizers said GEW this year had raised awareness surrounding the importance of entrepreneurs to St Lucia’s prosperity and economic security and provided ways for aspiring entrepreneurs to connect with mentors, investors, government officials and policy makers to discuss and find new ways of doing things.