[UPDATED] Businessman on key to success: 'Be the best employee at your company'

Tobago businessman Mc Donald Greene has advised aspiring entrepreneurs to be the hardest worker if they want their venture to be successful. Greene was speaking to Newsday after receiving the Chaconia medal (silver) at the National Awards for 2021 at President’s House, St Ann’s, last Wednesday.

Greene, managing director of Caroline Investments Co Ltd, was awarded for his contribution to the development of business on the island.

He advised young people interested in pursuing business to be the “best employee at your own company.

“Be passionate at what you do. Nothing is bad. If you do good you do good for yourself.”

Greene said being the recipient of any award for something he has been passionate about since childhood brings a tremendous feeling of gratitude.

However, Greene, who has served on several boards, including the Tobago Regional Health Authority, said he never felt he would have received a national award.

“The national award was not on my radar or even in my wild imaginings, as I always enjoy working and equally enjoy the results when the outcome is favourable. I am thankful to the persons who nominated me for this prestigious award for which I am very grateful,” he said.

Describing himself as resourceful, Green recalled he was introduced to business by his father Siebert Greene and late grandmother Caroline Dalrymple, who passed away some years ago at the age of 103.

“As a youth growing up in Scarborough, I sold fruits, cocoa and copra, while I attended Scarborough Methodist School.”

He said that experience laid the foundation for his career in business.

“I would not forget my early entrepreneurship days and how much I learned about savings and cash flows, productivity and efficiency, discipline, material, labour and equipment.”

Greene attended Howard University, US, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in accounting. While in the US, he was recruited by Humble Oil (now Exxon Oil), which gave him an opportunity to pursue a master's in business administration at Texas Southern University.

Greene later studied courses in cost management and accounting at Southwest London College in the United Kingdom.

During his early professional life, he lived in Trinidad and was employed at the former Amoco Oil Company, Neal & Massy Holdings Company Ltd and Sissons Paints Ltd.

On his return to Tobago, he started Caroline Tyre Shop & Service Centre in 1986. He later established Caroline Investments Company Ltd, in April 1991, at 38 Wilson Road, Scarborough, renting buildings commercially.

Greene said he is grateful that his businesses were not affected by covid19 over the past two years. He said he was still able to give back to the community.

“I was able to contribute to TRHA a two-year rent-free building to act as a step-down facility.”

Greene regards the dedication ceremony for the Caroline building by the late prime minister ANR Robinson in 1991 as the highlight of his career.

“I remember him presenting a bouquet of flowers to my satisfied and adoring grandmother Caroline.”

This story has been updated to include additional information. Read original below:

Tobago businessman Mc Donald Green says he is both humbled and grateful after receiving the Chaconia medal (silver) at the National Awards for 2021 at President’s House, St Ann’s, last Wednesday.

Green, managing director of Caroline Investments Co Ltd, was awarded for his contribution to the development of business on the island.

He said being the recipient of any award for something he has been passionate about since childhood brings a tremendous feeling of gratitude.

However, Green, who has served on several boards, including the Tobago Regional Health Authority, said he never felt he would have received a national award.

“The national award was not on my radar or even in my wild imaginings, as I always enjoy working and equally enjoy the results when the outcome is favourable. I am thankful to the persons who nominated me for this prestigious award for which I am very grateful,” he said.

Describing himself as resourceful, Green recalled he was introduced to business by his father Siebert Greene and late grandmother Caroline Dalrymple, who passed away some years ago at the age of 103.

“As a youth growing up in Scarborough, I sold fruits, cocoa and copra, while I attended Scarborough Methodist School.”

He said that experience laid the foundation for his career in business.

“I would not forget my early entrepreneurship days and how much I learned about savings and cash flows, productivity and efficiency, discipline, material, labour and equipment.”