Eye On C’Bean Community
Maxine Hamilton
Alexander
Micro-Economics - Education Is The Key

A man with thick, wavy black hair wearing glasses appeared from the rear of the store. I walked up to the front "Gees, there’s a line!" One woman hissed real loud. About three quarters of the people on the line glared at me in agreement "No panic, I am not cutting the line," I said. I was very delighted to find this place and equally curious to meet the person(s) who gave birth to this splendid idea "De Islands."

Urban-centered entrepreneurs have always had to be creative and ingenious. From transportation service ala $1 vans - a burgeoning niche market - shipping services, food stores, manufacturers of baked goods etc., entrepreneurship of Caribbean Immigrants is creating and sustaining another working class. Opportunities abound. It is engrained, weaved into the natural fabric of the psyche of the immigrant - Caribbean or elsewhere to pursue their slice of the American Pie. Those of us who refuse to bend to the constraints of poverty... What is the big deal? It is a big deal! Face it!

There is seemingly a historical disconnect amongst people of African descent in the support of each other’s entrepreneurial endeavors. There must be a change in these attitudes especially at the micro level. We have to view businesses that are owned by us as part of an integral component to a much larger "Cluster" economy. Our support of each other does not in anyway mean isolation from mainstream and other community based business. We are responsible for the metamorphosis of ourselves. The pro-gress of Caribbean immigrants is unprecedented. We have prodigious talents. I’m using De Islands as an example because its concept is an expressive sentiment that generates awareness and the potential to grow from micro to macro levels.

To be successful as an entrepreneur one does not necessarily need a Harvard degree. However education is a key component to success in business. It means understanding the fundamental aspects of running a business, taxation, financial management, financing, marketing and sales in addition to keeping proper bookkeeping. Equally important is quality service. We must organize and project a receptive business presence if we are to continue growing. The captains of these ships must insist that their representatives are knowledgeable, professional and courteous. It is inconceivable to me that we cannot see the importance of quality service.

There is strength in numbers. Sustained growth of our businesses depends on the economic base support. This country’s economy is driven by the ideals of entrepreneurship. Caribbean Immigrants are playing an essential role in the revival of the entrepreneurial spirit in urban centered economies. Knowing this we must, must make the most of the many opportunities that exist. I do not want to sound like a broken record, but we must support merchants and utilize business services owned by us. Not to bail the water out of the rowboat because the leak is not under your seat is stupid. Our businesses need our support. They employ and provide services that we need. That day I walked into "De Island" I was greeted with the warm friendly smile of a young woman wearing the national colors of Jamaica, next to her was Ms. Haiti and Mr. Grenada. I was ex-tremely proud. Rock on!

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