Interim Director of the Chamber of Commerce

(COCI) Mrs. Ruth Patrick- Solomons Celebrates

23 Years of Service

Mission: To promote and accelerate the economic growth by educating the

business community and stimulating inward investment.

Values:

Promoting the general interest of the business community in St. Maarten

Informing enterprises on doing business in and through St. Maarten

Keeping the Commercial Register and the Foundations Register

Issuing documentary evidence: certificates of origin, extracts, legalizations

and other statements

Offering solicited and unsolicited advice to Government on matters concerning the

economical development

St. Maarten Chamber of

Commerce & Industry (COCI)

May 2015 Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 3

Your Chamber,

Your Interests!

Quote of the Month:

Contents:

Profiles Section Spotlight

- Board Member A. Baker 2

- COCI Employee A. Ruan 2

Business Section

- Biz Center @ COCI Launch 3

- Small Business Spotlight 4-5

Events/ Activities Section - Business Plan Competition 6

- InfoBizz Power Hour 6

Trade Section - Panama Trade Recap 7

- Puerto Rico Trade Recap 7

Education Section - Students visit Biz Center 8

Bulletin Board

- New Toll Free Number 9

- Staff Training 9

“You don’t have to hold a position to be a leader”

— Henry Ford

Mrs. Ruth Patrick- Solomons

joined the Chamber on May 15th, 1992

as Secretary to the Board of

Directors and this year

marked 23 years of service.

In 2000, she was

promoted to Operations

Manager and is presently

Interim Director. After 23

years of service to the busi-

ness community there is no

debate as to why former Ex-

ecutive Director Honorable

Minister Claret Connor has

quoted Mrs. Patrick as being

the “Silent Force” behind

COCI.

She is one of the few women

to hold this position in the male domi-

nated top hierarchy of COCI. Her role

as an active citizen and mother figure

has definitely translated into her work

ethic and compassion for her clients

and staff members.

Mrs. Patrick believes

that all COCI workers should

strive for excellence and pro-

vide quality service no matter

how trivial the task. She also

puts much emphasis on cus-

tomer service. Known to have

a congenial personality, Mrs.

Patrick has a very good, pro-

fessional relationship with her

staff and Chamber clients who

are impressed with the busi-

ness and cordial atmosphere.

On behalf of the

Board of Directors, Management and

Professionals, we would like to thank

you for 23 years of outstanding service

and leadership.

Congratulations Mrs. Ruth Patrick-

Solomons!

Mrs. R. Patrick at the COCI 35th

Anniversary Gala. Photo by E. Lynch.

Anastacio Baker is a son of

the soil. He attended the Milton Pe-

ters College, graduated from the

HAVO Stream in 1996 and went on

to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Uni-

versity in Florida where he earned a

Bachelors Degree in Aircraft Main-

tenance Management. He also im-

pressively earned two Masters De-

grees; one in Airport Safety and the

other in Airport Management.

Today, Anastacio is the

Quality Assurance Manager at

SXM Airport (Princess Juliana Inter-

national Airport). In Addition, as the

owner of two businesses, Baker Suites

and The Party Bus, he attributes much

of his entrepreneurial spirit to his fa-

ther. .

Mr. Baker’s advice to new

entrepreneurs is to visualize what you

want mentally first. He encourages

seasoned business owners to re-invent

and “keep looking at your product to

ensure that it’s exactly what your cus-

tomers want. You get so large some-

times that you forget basically that the

customer is your boss and you have to

cater to what they want.”

In his spare time, Mr.

Baker likes to paint and customize

cars. He also enjoys reading up on

business related matters and doing

crossword puzzles.

May 2015 NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 3

2

Board of Directors Spotlight Member: Anastacio Baker, Treasurer

Employee Spotlight: Aakeem Ruan, Finance Division Support Officer

Profiles Section

-Editor-in-Chief

Ms. Nzinga Lake

-Assistant Editor

Mrs. Ruth Patrick– Solomons

-Columnist

Mrs. Annuska Illis– Friday

-Layout/ Columnist

Mrs. Sharine Allamby– Duncan

-Columnist

Ms. Tytania Archangel

-Columnist

Mrs. Giselle York

Newsletter Committee: Finance Division Support

Officer Aakeem Ruan has worked at

the Chamber for the past four and a

half years. Born in St. Maarten and

raised in Trinidad & Tobago, he at-

tended Stephen’s High School and

St. Stephen’s College. After comple-

tion of his studies in Trinidad & To-

bago he returned to St. Maarten to

pursue a degree in Manufacturing

and Engineering.

Before doing so, he worked

at the Chamber in the Filing Depart-

ment as a Gama Database Entry

Clerk. Then, he migrated to the

Unites States where furthered his

studies in the field of Manufacturing

Engineering Technology at Essex

County College in New Jersey.

Originally hired as a Cus-

tomer Service Representative, Aakeem

was recently promoted to the Finance

Department at the Chamber, a move

he is happy about as he has always had

a passion for Finance. He believes in

the Chamber’s role of expanding the

business market on St. Maarten where

more job opportunities are available.

In the future, he would like to

see the Chamber staff

grow and become

the best Chamber

of Commerce in

the Region.

business or business endeavors.

After a month of being opera-

tional, the Center has seen a

number of clients, many of

whom who have made use of

the business development

services offered.

The expectation of the Center is

to stimulate the enrollment of potential and aspir-

ing entrepreneurs as well as improve the success

rate and continuity of current Chamber clients on

a long term basis. The Center also organizes and

collaborates in local, regional and international

trade opportunities and exposure.

The Center provides facilities, back of-

fice support and training as well as consultation

and certification that will help improve client’s

organizational process, operations, financial pro-

files, professional and/or technological services.

For more information please

visit the Center at 11 CA Can-

negieter Street, Philipsburg or

contact via telephone (721)

5 4 2 - 3 5 9 3 o r e m a i l

biz@chamberofcommerce.sx

On April 24th the St. Maarten

Chamber of Commerce & Industry

opened its long awaited Business

“Biz” Center in the presence of

Chamber Board of Director mem-

bers, management, professionals and

guests and strategic partners of the

Business Community of St. Maarten.

Among the guests present were former Chamber

Executive Director, the Hon. Minister Claret Con-

nor and Member of Parliament and former Cham-

ber President the Honorable Tamara Leonard.

The Biz Center which is located right next

to the Chamber’s main office provides use of facili-

ties, guidance, administrative assistance support,

consultation and Information & Communication

Technology (ICT) services to all entrepreneurs

seeking to either start, expand or strengthen their

Business Section

May 2015 NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 3

3

Chamber Launches its Business Center:

BIZ CENTER @ COCI Entrepreneurship, Business Development Services & Support

COCI Board , Management & Professionals during the Launch Ceremony.

Photo by E. Lynch.

L-R: COCI Board Treasurer A. Baker, VP S. Lint, Hon.

Member of Parliament T. Leonard, Hon. Min. of TEATT C.

Connor & Board Member A. Illis-Friday. Photo by E. Lynch

A Biz Center client using ICT services.

Newsletter Title Page 4

Tell me how you first got involved with start-

ing your own business?

Considering the importance of good under-

garments which helps set the foundation for a great

outfit or wardrobe. I saw the need for quality and

affordable undergarments being available for

women on our island.

What has surprised you most about working

as a business owner?

What surprises me the most about the underwear

and clothing industry is how insecure and unaware

some women are about their actual sizes and their

body types. Thus giving me the opportunity to edu-

cate and inform my clients, helping to boost their

confidence.

What do you find most challenging about

having your own business?

One of the greatest challenges I face in this business

is finding suppliers with the quality and afforda-

bility that meets the needs of my clients.

Tell me about someone who has influenced

your decision to start your own business?

My Mom has greatly influenced my decision to

venture into this type of business. Her experience in

the fashion industry along with my entrepreneurial

nature combined with both our love for fashion af-

forded us this great opportunity not only to work

together but has helped create a great team while

filling a void in the clothing industry on the island.

What might someone be surprised to know

about you?

I think people would really be surprised to know the

extent that I go to obtain unique merchandise for my

stock. Today, with the internet at everyone’s finger

tips makes this very challenging at times. My com-

pany’s slogan “From my Closet to Yours” is just a

hint of how personally attached I am to my clients. I

would like also at this time to express how humbled

and grateful I am for the support and patronage I

have received over the years.

If you weren’t in this business, what

would you be doing instead, or what

would your life be like?

If I was not working at T’s Closet I would want to be

a buyer for a large company or companies. I love to

shop; I can source any item no matter what or where

it is. I also enjoy traveling so I definitely would have

been in a market that allows me to do both.

Continued on page 5

“Small Business Spotlight”

Mother’s Day Edition

Business Owner: Tamara Lloyd

Business Name: T’s Closet

Business Category: Retail (Fashion Boutique)

Established Since: October 15, 2007

A: Front Street 102, Philipsburg

P: 721-542-0686

www.facebook.com/tsclosetsxm

4

May 2015 NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 3

“Realize that learning

more equals earning

more.….”

Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 1

5

May 2015 NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 3

Over the next five years, what do you

think will change about your business?

In the next five years, given the response and de-

mands of my customers and prospective new cus-

tomers, I see where I will open my inventory to the

world, in terms of making my stock accessible

through online shopping. However, this is some-

thing that I have to make sure does not interfere

with my primary concept of creating a very inti-

mate, personable environment where women and

men can shop. We really try to appeal to all our

clients senses, the smell, the touch, the way things

are displayed, we want them to feel as though they

are actually shopping in my closet and that, I will

have to also try to create in an online environment.

As a businessperson, what sorts of trends

do you see in your industry?

A trend that I definitely see is that people

are becoming more aware of fashion

trends. Women and men are accessorizing

more so it results in multiple purchases.

This is highly beneficial and also gives us

an opportunity to help them become more

creative with their existing wardrobes or

suggesting a new look in this ever-changing

fashion industry.

Continued from page 4

What would you tell someone who is

thinking about starting his/her own

business?

There are so much inspiring things that I

would tell anyone who is thinking about es-

tablishing a business but I will narrow it

down to five.

1. Have a passion for whatever business you are

thinking of venturing into, it will help keep you

committed in the long run.

2. Carefully study the market trends etc.

3. Listen attentively to the needs of your customers

and perspective customers. Realizing that learning

more equals earning more.

4. Strategic Marketing is essential especially in

today’s competitive world. You have to have a great

Marketing Plan and you do not have to reinvent

the wheel, find a plan that has worked for a busi-

ness similar to yours and use it.

5. Also in planning, overestimate your expenses

and underestimate your revenue.

6. Lastly learn to fail forward, always looking

upward.

in their industry on St. Maarten

and/or in the region.

For more information about

Infobizz Power Hour Events please

contact Ms. Ife Badejo, Managing

Director, Foundation InfoBizz via

telephone number +1-721-523-1842

email: foundation.infobizz@gmail.com.

Power Hour is a quarterly

networking event which seeks to

inspire entrepreneurs and profes-

sionals while giving them practical

tips on how to achieve new levels

of success hosted by Foundation

Infobizz. This Power Hour focused

on Innovative Leadership in its

first ever Boss Edition.

On May 27, 2015 at the

University of St. Martin , entrepre-

neurs and professionals alike had

the opportunity to gain insights

from Imran McSood Amjad,

Chairman of NAGICO Group and

recently royally decorated for con-

tribution in business, sports, and

community. Mr. Amjad has built

and owns several businesses on the

island including NAGICO Group

which serves thirteen (13) countries

throughout the Caribbean.

In addition to Mr. Amjad’s

keynote address, participants en-

gaged in activities that helped them

to create innovative ideas and solve

problems in their daily pursuits.

This Boss Edition of Power

Hour was specifically targeted to

those entrepreneurs and profession-

als who seek to transform their busi-

ness and organization to be leaders

InfoBizz ‘Power Hour’ - Mr. I. McSood Amjad, Keynote Speaker

May 2015 NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 3

COCI’s Upcoming Small Business Plan Competition

6

6

This contest is designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and greater awareness of the resources avail-

able to support entrepreneurs and innovators in St. Maarten. There will be five winning categories:

Overall Winner

Best Marketing

Best Brand

Best Pitch

Most Likely to Become Successful

Contestants can enter their small business plan summaries for an opportu-

nity to win a start-up package consisting of equipment and services.

Grand Prize Valued at $2,000

Deadline to submit all registration forms is July 13th, 2015

The contest will be open to legal residents of St. Maarten who are eight-

een years or older. The principal business operations of the business must

be located in St. Maarten. Go to our website to download the

BP Competition Registration Form at www.chamberofcommerce.sx

Please stay tuned for further details in June…...

Events/ Activities Section

Mr. Imran

McSood Amjad.

Courtesy of

H.Haar.

Courtesy of www.blackcelebritygiving.com

The Inaugural ETI Interna-

tional Tourism Puerto Rico Expo

was held through May 13-16, 2015

at the Puerto Rico Convention Cen-

ter in San Juan. The trade confer-

ence was very well attended with

countries throughout the Caribbean

and Mexico.

Puerto Rico was displayed

at it's best culturally. Integrated in

the trade show was a day of explora-

tion to the Governor’s Mansion,

presentations from Puerto Rico Gov-

ernment Official and Industry lead-

ers and receptions in the evenings.

Workshops/Seminars also

included doing business with China,

destination trainings, social media

and travel marketing, customer ser-

vice excellence and diversifying the

tourism product. ETI will have an

annual trade show; so look forward

for more magnificent displays and

information!

International Tourism Expo Puerto Rico Recap

7

May 2015 NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 3

Maritime Trade Mission to Panama & Miami Recap

Trade Section

representatives.

Prime Minister Rutte of the

Netherlands held a business roundta-

ble with the Panama Canal Authori-

ties. The trade mission delegation

was led by Prime Minister of Aruba

Hon. Mike Eman. and the St.

Maarten delegation was headed by

Minister of TEATT Hon. Claret Con-

nor, COCI Board of Directors and

representatives from Harbour Group

of Companies, Seagrapes Interna-

tional and Dam Caribbean.

With the most represen-

tatives present at the Maritime

Expo in Panama City, The King-

dom of the Netherlands domi-

nated the trade mission to Pa-

nama & Miami in attendance.

Held April 12 until 15 April,

2015, the trade mission and exhi-

bition created new business leads

for country St. Maarten, strength-

ened existing relations with the

Netherlands and Dutch

Caribbean Countries and

obtained new insights in

developments in Panama

with the expansion of the

Panama Canal.

Together with the

representative of the public

and private sector, President

of COCI, Ms. Peggy Ann

Brandon and Board of Di-

rectors engaged in high

level meetings, network-

ing sessions and semi-

nars with multiple Pana-

manian companies and

also local authorities.

COCI addressed

the importance of St.

Maarten’s hub function,

our sustainable economy

and the benefits of doing

business with our local

merchants and company St. Maarten Delegation to Panama incl. Hon. Minister TEATT C. Connor, Policy

Advisor TEATT R. Engel, COCI President P. Brandon, Vice .President S. Lint and

Board Member S. Bijlani

Group picture of entire delegation representing the Dutch Kingdom in Panama

From L to R Reps from: Office du Turisme COCI Board

Member, L’Esperance Hotel, Biz Center & L’Esperance Hotel

Young Aspiring Entrepreneurs Receive Mentorship at Biz Center

Newsletter Title Page 8 May 2015 NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 3

Education Section

8

On Friday, May 22nd,

2015 the staff of COCI’s Business

Center received a visit from four

(4) second form students of the St.

Maarten Academy who aspire to

become entrepreneurs and wish to

proceed with the curriculum in

Business.

‘Be Your Own Boss’

In light of this career

choice, the students were encour-

aged to explore their talents and

become active citizens in their

direct and indirect communities

in order to analyze the economy.

Understanding local and interna-

tional markets in its totality by

doing desk research but also by

field research in the form of par-

ticipation allows young and vi-

brant future entrepreneurs to be

creative and take advantage of the

holes in the market.

In order to attain success

and reach the ultimate level of self

actualization, the students were

persuaded to take note of four key

points that will help guide them

into their dreams of ‘Becoming Your

Own Boss’, one of the main objec-

tives of COCI;

1. Never Give Up: Personal and

professional development takes time

but development is an investment

worth fighting and waiting for, enjoy

the journey and take slow but steady

steps toward your goals.

2. Win- win Mentality: Put your all

in everything that you do and always

give more than is asked of you, strive

for perfection regardless of compen-

sation and always compete with

yourself in order to assure that your

latest project is better than the previ-

ous one.

3. Be Prepared: When asked about

‘occupation’ on a job application or

resume, youngsters are reminded

that the answer is ‘student’, which

means that you already play an im-

portant role in the community and

there are responsibilities that comes

with holding that title. You represent

your school and your community

and should focus on making yourself,

your family and your country proud.

4. Knowledge is Key: Take ad-

vantage of all opportunities that

will allow growth and will help

you gain experience. Ask ques-

tions, do research online, have

ambitious goals and interact

with the persons who can help

you reach them. You can learn

from everyone, especially your

teachers.

‘From Business starters to

Business Leaders’

The students also received more

tips on how to positively influ-

ence the equilibrium of the mar-

ket via social media. For more

advice and similar tips please

encourage future or existing

entrepreneurs to visit the Busi-

ness Center, where Starters are

developed into Leaders.

(L-R) Students C. Edwards, N. Jankee, Biz Center Representative

T. Archangel and students D. Kowlessar, K. Carty

Students during the Mentorship Session in the COCI Boardroom

The St. Maarten Chamber of

Commerce & Industry enhanced its

accessibility to the general public on

Thursday with the launch of their

new toll free number. Clients can

now contact the Chamber for free via:

1-844-SXM-C0CI and 1-844-796-

2024.

Chamber President Peggy

Ann Brandon praised this new initia-

tive designed to provide customers

with another avenue to interact with

the Chamber of Commerce.

“Enhancing access and services to the

COCI Introduces Toll Free 1-800 Number

Page 9 Volume 1, Issue 1 May 2015 NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 3

9

Bulletin Board

Employees Participate in Documentation Training

priority of COCI” Brandon stated.

The general public is also

reminded of the other available

methods of communicating with the

Chamber through our website

(www.chamberofcommerce.sx),

Facebook (www.facebook.com/

s x m c o c i ) a n d e m a i l

(info@chamberofcommerce.sx)

addresses.

COCI employees during the team-building exercise

In April Chamber of Com-

merce registry and administrative

professionals gathered to participate

in a group training session. The ses-

sion, led by Chamber President Peggy

Ann Brandon and Operations Man-

ager Ruth Patrick, served as a re-

fresher on the different forms used for

the registration and updating of busi-

nesses, foundations and associations.

Also discussed were updates

to the billing system and the migra-

tion of data to the new system.

After the information ses-

sion, staffers were divided into differ-

ent workgroups and were given differ-

ent scenarios that tested the under-

standing of the information they had

just learned.

The session ended with

words of praise and encouragement

from the President as she called on

each staff member to embrace the

new measurers being taken to mod-

ernize the Chamber to ultimately

make it more accessible to the public.

May 2015 NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 3

Contact Information

St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry 11 C.A. Cannegieter Street, Philipsburg, St. Maarten

721-542-3590/542-3595

721-542-3512

www.chamberofcommerce.sx

info@chamberofcommerce.sx To Subscribe to Our Newsletter: newsletter@chamberofcommerce.sx

Business Center Division: 721-542-3593

721-542-3512

biz@chamberofcommerce.sx

Connect With Us:

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sxmcoci

Follow us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/sxmcoci

-President

Ms. Peggy Ann Brandon, LLM

-Vice President

Mr. Stanley Lint

-Treasurer

Mr. Anastacio Baker

-Assistant Treasurer

Ms. Charlise Philips

Sidharth “Cookie” Bijlani

Louis Bute

Annuska Illis– Friday

Nzinga Lake

Ajay Rawtani

Board of Directors: