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Calling all women entrepreneurs
Take your business to a higher level of profitability, accountability, and sustainability with the Women Entrepreneurs Business Builder Programme.
Looking to grow and strengthen your business? Here’s your chance to join a powerful community of like-minded women professionals to build your business empire.
Republic Bank has partnered with the Business and People Development (BPD) Associates, to create the Women Entrepreneurs Business Builder (EBB) Programme. The EBB Programme is designed to support budding women entrepreneurs within the Caribbean to help them build A Future-Proof Profitable, and Sustainable Business. The programme consists of two phases:
Phase 1: A three-month self-paced online learning programme for 150 women with a minimum of 2 years of entrepreneurial experience. Get up to 80% financing when you access our partial scholarship.
Phase 2: A nine-month programme for the top 20 women performers with a FULL SCHOLARSHIP. Get 1-2-1 mentoring, online group support, interactive coaching sessions, customised training, and dedicated Account Managers to assist with their banking needs.
Republic Bank is willing to invest in your success.
See how the EBB Programme can propel you forward!
The EBB Programme will focus on
Building strong, sustainable businesses.
Using systematic tools, strategies and tactics that generate long-lasting results.
Showcasing the importance of sound financial literacy.
Mentoring and guidance that assists you in moving to the next level of business.
Highlighting the progress of the selected women entrepreneurs as they develop themselves and their businesses.
Access to the 12-week online entrepreneur development course created by BPD.
Collaborating with Republic Bank as a facilitator and SME partner to provide helpful solutions.
Ready To Upscale Your Business?
Designed for women entrepreneurs with micro, small or medium businesses.
Is This YOU?
We’re looking for women who are excited to grow and upscale their new business operations. These candidates will gain sharp skills to help them tackle and win their business challenges.
Are you willing to invest the time and resources required to take your business to the next level?
You have been in business for at least two years.
You are fully committed to grow your business and move on to the next level of success.
You welcome the learning opportunities to streamline your business processes and systems.
You see the need to restructure your current business model to gain more clients.
You are willing and open to receiving constructive guidance to help you achieve your goals.
You are open to sharing and supporting others in the EBB community.
I’m ready to invest in my business!
Our Plan For Your Success
Participants of the EBB Programme will be supported as they work towards understanding how to create profitable future-proof businesses. Your investment in the EBB Programme will offer you greater clarity on your business direction and provide the tools necessary to chart your own course successfully.
Our Plan for Success
Here’s what you can expect.
You Have To Apply Online
The EBB Programme application must be fully completed online. Candidates who do not adhere to the submission process may not be considered. Review the FAQs for the eligibility criteria.
Our Plan For Your Success
Phase 1
Here’s what you can expect for the first three months of the EBB Programme:
- Financial guidance from Republic Bank and access to banking products and services.
- Access to BPD’s official Woman Entrepreneur Business Directory, a repository women-owned businesses for finding collaborative partners.
- Professional group mentorship and peer support via BPD’s bi-monthly WE Get Together virtual series featuring industry gurus and like-minded entrepreneurs.
- Accountability buddies chosen from within the Programme to
support your growth progress. - Implementation of tools and processes to enhance your business operations.
Self-Paced Training Begins
For the first 150 applicants who meet the criteria, you’ll jump into the Learning Management System (LMS) designed by BPD to complete according to your schedules and preferences. Courses span three months with various activities included and require 20+hours minimum. The original cost is US$1,997, but we’re offering 80% partial scholarships, which means your discounted cost is US$370!
The Top 20
Be part of a select group moving onto phase two by maintaining stellar attendance, participation, and submission of the completed business strategy map. An independent, five-member panel will conduct a screening and decide on the top 20 performers coming out of the self-paced training sessions. The top 20 move onto phase two of the programme which last for nine months. The cost: FREE!
This Is It. The Selection
Once the panel chooses the final 20 applicants with the top aggregate scores, you’ll receive an e-mail* with the relevant information. These select candidates will receive scholarships for the remainder of the Programme! Candidates not selected will also be advised formally.
Phase 2
Here’s what you can expect if you make it into the final nine months of the EBB Programme:
- An assigned Branch Account Manager from RBL who will support the creation of your operational plan with business goals linked to business selected diagnosis gaps.
- Online interactive sessions to receive additional customised support, coaching and nine additional training sessions.
- Six 1-2-1 mentoring sessions with a mentor.
- Access to six “board meetings” to present to the RBL and BPD panel, their performance against identified results, progress against operational plan milestones and receive guidance to address identified challenges.
- You’ll have your business re-evaluated using a Business Diagnostic Tool.
- Networking with a cohort of 20 successful women entrepreneurs from across the region.
*Applicants should be aware as part of the EBB Programme, they automatically agree to opt in to marketing communications from RBL and BPD. However, they may choose to opt out from receiving e-mails at any time.
Application Rules and Eligibility
- Participants must have an existing business operating for a minimum of two years.
- Only Caribbean nationals from the following countries are eligible to apply: Anguilla, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Sint Maarten, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname.
- Participants in phase one must be able to commit to the full three months, and the final 20 candidates selected for phase two must commit to the nine months required to complete the course.
- Participants must commit to an investment of US$370.00 or local currency equivalent, payable upon selection and agreement to participate in the Programme. Financial assistance will be available for each of the 20 participants who complete phase two.
- Selected candidates who are not able to fulfil the requirements of the Programme, are asked to inform the panel via a formal e-mail.
What Happens After You’ve Applied
All applications will receive an e-mail confirming their online application form submission. If you’ve been successful, you’ll have to formally accept or decline the enrolment offer. If you’ve accepted, great! You’ll get another e-mail with the following information:
- Payment guidelines.
- The date, time, instructions and/or system requirements.
Candidates not selected will also be advised formally.
FAQs
About The Programme
BPD’s EBB Programme turns theory into practical steps to assist established women entrepreneurs to create a technology-enabled and future-proof profitable business. Incorporating the framework and tools from Georgina Terry’s best-selling book “The Amazing Race To Entrepreneurial Freedom”, this one-year Programme will assist the participants with their personal and business development by supporting them as they create a sustainable 21st Century business.
If you are a woman entrepreneur who has owned and operated a micro, small or medium business in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, Grenada, Suriname, British Virgin Islands, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla, St. Kitts & Nevis for a minimum of two years, and you want to grow and scale your operations, then this is for you! The formal eligibility criteria to participate are:
- Be a woman entrepreneur.
- Own and operate a SME business for minimum of two years.
- Be located in one of the 12 regional islands nations listed above.
- Own at least 50% of the business.
- Submit a complete application form by the given deadline.
At the end of the Programme participants will have:
- The knowledge to grow a future-proof, technology-enabled business for the 21st Century.
- Understood and applied the fundamentals of business.
- Tangible business results and growth.
- A deeper understanding of how business works.
- More confidence in themselves and what they are capable of achieving as entrepreneurs.
- New and enhanced soft-skills.
- A wider and more integrated network and community.
The Programme lasts one year. The first phase is for three months and nine months for the second phase.
In Phase 1 participants will:
- Access 20+ hours of self-paced content
- Attend four live online group sessions
- Develop strategy maps and implementation plans
- Work with their ‘Accountability Buddy’
- Network and interact with the community
In month four, 20 women will be selected to participate to Phase 2 of the programme with a 100% scholarship. They will be required to:
- Attend 6 monthly face-to-face business performance review meetings with RFHL/BPD
- Engage in 1-2-1 work with mentors
- Implement tools and processes learnt
- Attend six online sessions on personal development and other subjects.
- Present a final business pitch
Yes, all the participants will receive a certificate upon successful attendance and completion of the Programme.
Participants will:
- Learn new skills, including, financial management, process improvement, marketing and presentation skills.
- Have new tools and techniques to implement in their business.
- Have a business plan.
- Know how to operate a successful business.
By the end of the Programme, participants should see tangible results in their businesses, such as an increased profit, a larger customer base, new established and seamless technology-enabled processes and a wider network of like-minded entrepreneurs, businesses and professionals.
The EBB Programme key benefits are:
Personal Development
- Participants will transition from employee mindset to an entrepreneur mindset.
- Participants will have increased confidence.
- Participants will develop their strengths.
- Participants will develop their leadership skills.
Business Development
- Participants will learn strategies and tactics ready to be implemented in their business right away.
- Participants should experience financial growth in their business.
- Participants will have an increased customer base.
- Participants should have key technology-enabled processes implemented in their business.
- Participants’ businesses will know how to become “investment-ready.”
New Tools And Technologies
- Participants will develop a strategy map and implementation plan.
- Participants will learn how to leverage technology in all the aspects of their business.
- Participants will discover new software, platforms and tool to adopt and implement in their business.
- Participants will learn the basics of digital marketing, technology-enabled operations, cyber-security.
Accountability System (Phase 2)
- Participants will have six 1-2-1 sessions with a mentor.
- Participants will have access to a monthly online group support call to receive additional support, coaching and additional training.
- Participants will have access to a monthly meeting with the “Entrepreneurs Business Builder Board” to report on business performance and receive tailored advice and feedback.
- Participants will have a buddy system, to receive and offer peer-to-peer support.
Expanded Network
- Participants will have the chance to interact with professionals, facilitators and subject matter experts from BPD Associates, Republic Bank and other successful businesses.
Republic Bank Perks
- Access to credit facilities at Republic Bank.
- Access to Account Managers for financial support.
Applications to the Entrepreneurs Business Builder Programme is now closed. Look out for more information coming to you soon!
All women over age 18 can apply
No. Anyone can apply for the programme.
About The Selection Process
Each application will be scored against the following criteria:
- Ownership of business
- Works in business full time/part-time
- Years in business
- Level of decision making
- Revenue
- Number of employees
- Geographical reach
- Use of Technology
- Use of business records e.g. financial records
- Implementation of strategic plan
- Evidence of innovation for competitiveness
- Motivation and perceived benefit(s) from being part of the EBB Programme
The selection process for phase one of the Programme consists of three stages:
- Application
- Shortlisting
- Selection
Based on the application submission, shortlisted applicants will be invited to join the Programme. To access phase two, participants will be invited to an interview. After the interview, 20 women will be selected to participate in phase two.
We estimate that the whole selection process will be approximately five weeks.
Applications to the Entrepreneurs Business Builder Programme is now closed. Look out for more information coming to you soon!
No, the application process does not have any cost.
Applications to the Entrepreneurs Business Builder Programme is now closed. Look out for more information coming to you soon!
No. The application process is online only.
150 applicants will be chosen for Phase One of the Programme. The top 20 women will be selected for Phase Two.
Financial Questions
The original cost of the programme is US$1,997, but we’re offering 80% partial scholarships, which means your discounted cost is US$370!
The available payment options are:
- US$370 lump sum payment
- Initial investment of US$200, with the balance to be paid by the end of the 2nd month after commencement of the programme
The available payment methods are:
- Online Payment
- Wire Transfer
- Official Cheque
- Cash
Through the support of Republic Bank a partial scholarship of 80% will be awarded to each selected participant towards the cost of participating in the EBB Programme. The Participant is required to invest US$370 (20%) herself towards the Programme. Phase two selected participants will be offered a full-scholarship.
Republic Bank Limited in partnership with Business and People Development Associates Limited (BPD) are the facilitators of the Women Entrepreneurship Business Builders (EBB) Programme. This programme would be conducted remotely for a duration of 12 months. Applications are free and open to registrants who meet the entry requirements. In phase one of the programme, successful applicants must commit to an investment of US$370.00 or local currency equivalent, payable upon selection and agreement to participate in the Programme. Financial assistance will be available for each of the 20 participants who complete phase two.
Republic Bank Limited
Head Office
Republic House
P.O. Box 1153,
9-17 Park Street,
Port of Spain, Trinidad,
West Indies.
9-17 Park Street,
Port of Spain, Trinidad,
West Indies.
BPD Associates Limited
9-11 Fitt Street, Woodbrook,
Port of Spain, Trinidad,
West Indies.
West Indies.