Helping vendors grow and thrive

Micro-entrepreneurs [vendors] – operate out of necessity and add value to a country’s economy with the creation of jobs, enhancing income, and strengthening purchase power ( source Wikipedia 2013). 

The Economic Empowerment Zones Agency (EEZA) remains vigilant in its mandate to support the Vendor Markets through training, knowledge, and infrastructure materials.  

The local Vendor Community has seen a surge over the past few years with the success of Rubber Tree, Hidden Treasures, and Olde Town Markets.  

Developing and growing businesses from the ground floor up is a virtue of the EEZA and we have supported many vendors from their start, operating within markets, to finally owning their own retail brick and mortar stores.

The EEZA will continue to service the community by holding a series of evening seminars that will provide training, guidance, and resources to the most experienced and novice vendors. The goal of these seminars is to help vendors deliver the best market services in the most efficient and effective manner.  

Many vendors inquire: “How can I enhance my business?” and “How can I make more money?”

These seminars will help to answer many of these questions.  

There are tips and tricks that can help to revolutionize the way vendors conduct business that includes: the introduction of mobile credit card machines and utilization of social media.  

We will also be talking about merchandising and how to make your vendor booth attractive, identifying counterfeit money, and of course how to secure financing to purchase inventory with a new partnership by Capital G and Bermuda Economic Development Corporation.

The first seminar entitled “Making Money at Vending” will be held on Tuesday, October 15 at the BIU from 5:30pm – 8pm. 

Presenters will include Nikki Fagan of Advertising Associates, Michelle Wales of the Old Towne Market, Florence Smith of Butterfield Bank and Steve Thompson of Mailboxes Unlimited.  

Presenters will share strategies on: how social media can increase customer traffic and vendor sales; utilising mobile devices to facilitate more sales and key cost saving tips for importers to save money when importing any product into the island.

The second seminar titled “Vending as a Business – Presenting the most professional image for success”, will be held on Tuesday, November 5 and will focus on merchandising techniques and how best to present your products to maximize customer interest and increase sales.

The final seminar in the series, “Bermuda’s Vendor Markets – What you need to know for your best fit”, will be held on Tuesday, November 19 and will summarize the requirements for starting a vending business, identifying and creating a niche in the vendor industry and obtaining financing for your business. 

At all three seminars existing vendors will be on hand to share some tips.

Upon completion of all three seminars, attendees will receive a Certificate in Vendor Matters.  

This certification will be the BEDC’s Premier certification for local Vendors Island wide.

Within the next several months, as the holiday season approaches, there will be significant activity in the vendor markets.

During this time the EEZA is looking forward to helping existing and new vendors remain on the cutting edge and solidify a position as leaders within the vendor market industry.  

For more information or to register, please email [email protected] or call 292-5570. n

Roxanne Christopher is the Economic Development Officer for the North East Hamilton EEZ.  She uses her knowledge and experience as a business owner to foster small business growth in the Zone. Specifically, Roxanne is responsible for providing small business owners in the designated EEZ and surrounding areas with business development advice and loan guarantee assistance. Visit www.bedc.bm for more information.