 |
 |
 |
|
May 2013 |
From a pool of 493 applicants, Tambran by Tamara was selected as a finalist for the first edition of the Caribbean Innovation Challenge, going on to win the Environmental Entrepreneur Award 2013. The CIC is an international entrepreneur competition and business start-up accelerator for young people in CARICOM Member States. It is a component of the UNDP project Youth Innovation (Youth-IN): A Caribbean Network for Youth Development. “Little did I know, I would be heading to Guatemala to represent the Caribbean and compete on the hemispheric level in the TIC Americas and Eco-Challenge Caribbean 2013 in June,” Tamara said excitedly. She had entered the competition, submitting a business plan, market feasibility study, market testing, and promotional video and graphic presentation of prototypes. Hers was the lone Grenadian team to partake in this prestigious competition, proving that she had a credible, feasible and viable business. “From waste to treasures” is the company’s mantra. The business utilizes recycled materials to create eco-friendly accessories. Tambran does online direct sales via its Facebook page and, soon, its website; it also wholesales to retail businesses. The company seeks partnerships with ‘going green’ organisations, encouraging them to recycle through Tambran as one of their environmentally friendly practices. Using cardboard paper tubes, old vinyl banners, wood residue from carpentry shops and jersey fabric, Tambran not only creates products that are largely popular on the market, but also alleviates the impact of waste materials on the environment. Among their many product offerings are hand painted wooden and fabric jewellery, wooden key ring souvenirs, luxury clutch bags, shopping and make up bags and laptop cases. About The "Caribbean Innovation Challenge" The Caribbean Innovation Challenge (CIC) is an international entrepreneur competition and business start-up accelerator for young people in the CARICOM Member states. Awarding projects in three categories (Social, Economic and Environmental), the CIC promotes innovation, the development of entrepreneurial initiatives, and taps into the potential of young people to generate ideas that benefit their societies and communities. The CIC is a component of the UNDP project Youth Innovation (Youth-IN): A Caribbean Network for Youth Development, which responds to the needs of youth identified in the report of the CARICOM Youth Commission (2010): 'Eye on the Future: Investing in YOUTH NOW for Tomorrow's Community'. It differentiates itself from other existing business model competitions by incorporating "before and after" stages, focusing on training and mentoring as preparation for the competition, and providing follow up services that include access to finance, networking activities, internships and promotion opportunities – which are key support services for young entrepreneurs. Youth-In Entrepreneurship A partnership between UNDP Barbados and the OECS and YABT, Youth-IN Entrepreneurship, promotes innovation and youth entrepreneurship, in coordination with public/private alliances and stakeholders, generating a favourable ecosystem for the development of young entrepreneurs in the Caribbean. For more information on the Caribbean Innovation Challenge, visit http://www.youthin-cic.net/index.php; on TIC Americas and Eco-Challenge Caribbean 2013, visit http://www.ticamericas.net. To view and purchase Tamara’s pieces, ‘like’ their Facebook page “Tambran by Tamara”. Call 748-6093 or email tambranline@hotmail.com! |
She’s a 26 year old MSc student of Management Studies, Marketing at The UWI. She is the Manager and founder of Tambran by Tamara, established October 2012, and she’s an Artist. Her name is Tamara Prosper.