LXE aims to energise young entrepreneurs

A progressive umbrella body - League of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs (LXE) - has been formed to facilitate and promote the expansion of youth-led businesses in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region.

Founded by youth entrepreneurship advocate Jaysen Francis, LXE was recently launched at The Writers’ Circle, St. Clair, Port of Spain.

Francis, who has started his own businesses over the past few years, told the gathering of young and aspiring entrepreneurs that LXE came into being because its pioneers believed in the importance of entrepreneurship, especially youth entrepreneurship.

“As young people, we live in economic times when people are losing their jobs and can’t find employment and see the urgent need for visionary initiatives to jump-start our own businesses. In this regard, LXE has taken up the mandate and the responsibility to become the driver of youth entrepreneurship in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean,” said LXE President Francis, who functions as trade facilitator for the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – Caribbean & Canada (CAYE/C&C).

The League of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs was registered with CAYE in June, following a technical workshop on the Youth Entrepreneurship Policy. It is governed by a dynamic executive board and comprises more than 30 active members. Committee members contribute to the operations and functions of the organisation in their specific areas of expertise in finance, marketing, management, consultancy and global investment.

Offering words of encouragement to the LXE organisation at the launch were Darrion Narine, Vice Chair, Inclusion and Engagement, Commonwealth Youth Council and President of the Students Guild, UWI, St. Augustine; Nikoli Edwards, Vice Chair, Policy, Advocacy and Projects, Commonwealth Youth Council; aviation business owner Kerry Grant; food caterer Kizzie Joseph; and business/leadership coach Dale Laughlin.

“It is great to see so many young entrepreneurs at this LXE launch which will certainly open lots of doors for our visionary youths. It is a tremendous launching pad for the organisation which will embrace not only Trinidad and Tobago but the wider Caribbean as well,” said Edwards.

Francis explained the primary objective of LXE: “We want our young and aspiring entrepreneurs to know they have an avenue for training, guidance and mentorship to take their businesses to another level. Our primary objective at LXE is to make it easier for young people to start-up and successfully operate their own business.”

According to Francis, LXE is delighted to work with the business community and corporate entities to facilitate “extraordinary programmes and events” for young entrepreneurs. “Your involvement as a partner indicates that you support positive initiatives geared toward equipping our youths in Trinidad and Tobago and the region to become successful entrepreneurs. It will also provide the business community with opportunities to network and expand their reach of their target audience,” he pointed out.

Prospective partners can buy into a variety of sponsorship opportunities on three tiers, Platinum, Gold and Silver. LXE’s Marketing Committee has tailored each tier to effectively work for each business individually to best fulfill their respective marketing goal and objectives.

The League of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs and the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs intend to work together to advocate for the implementation and the development of inclusive policies and programmes geared toward youth entrepreneurship. LXE will serve to bridge this gap in Trinidad and Tobago by creating a collaborative space where entrepreneurs of different social and corporate enterprises are brought together to share their experiences and ideas that drive entrepreneurial growth and development.

LXE’s vision is to be the globally chartered organisation, pioneered by entrepreneurs, to stimulate the overall growth and development of future business owners. Its mission is to create a progressive environment for all willing entrepreneurs to develop the necessary skills to reach their fullest potential.