Chinese Laundry urges entrepreneurs to embrace innovation, technology

The multi-talented – now DJ Artiste – Anthony “Chinese Laundry” Chow Lin On urged small, upcoming and established entrepreneurs to be more creative and less dependent on technology.

“Understand that within your creativity lies your superpower – innovation is what you have,” he said at the National Entrepreneurship Development Co (NEDCO) entrepreneurship conference on Wednesday.

Chow Lin On said this is one of the ways micro and small businesses can develop and grow.

This falls in line with NEDCO’s theme, Unlocking the Innovative Mindset for this year’s conference.

The three-day hybrid conference hosted at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya comes as NEDCO celebrates its 21st anniversary while trying to maintain its mandate of driving development and growth of local micro and small enterprises.

He added, “Audience is the boss. You have to really understand that… let that influence and impact your idea as well.”

Cost is also a huge factor when it comes to owning a business, Chow Lin On explained, as money spent to make a product is needed, but whether or not it will break the bank is what must be considered.

“I remember having to make serious decisions, for example, Machel (Montano) coming to me and saying, ‘Hey, I want to use Michael Jackson’s technology. I want to fly up the stadium.’ And I went, ‘Oh, how much will that cost? It’s business.’ But it comes back to the creative idea which will be my banner statement – the idea and the innovation is the king.”

Chow Lin On was referring to Montano’s 2013 Soca Monarch performance of Float at the Hasely Crawford Stadium when he was hoisted by a harness at the end of the song.

He added that though he was immersed in the music industry already as a DJ and producer, he found himself looking to turn to the restaurant business during the covid19 pandemic.

Chow Lin On said there were many factors to take into consideration, especially how receptive customers may be and what would they really gravitate towards.

“At the same time, a lot of people were coming up through the internet and selling food on Instagram and a whole new breed of entrepreneurs were rising.”

Kyle Maloney co-founder of TechBeach Retreat – a conference-based platform meant to bring new life into conferences – spoke on the failure he and his business partner Kirk-Anthony Hamilton experienced, because it is the foundation of what their company is now.

“Understanding that creativity isn’t just about the artist and the designer it’s an approach to thinking about solving a problem in a way that hadn’t necessarily been solved before. It’s about grit and embracing failure,” Maloney shared.

NEDCO CEO Calvin Maurice also offered some advice to entrepreneurs and said they must identify a problem or passion that ignites their souls and serves as a driver for success. This must be done before becoming knowledgeable and skilful to build upon what was learnt before.

“Embrace a learning mindset and seek our relevant training workshops and mentorship opportunities. Stay informed about market trends, customer preferences and emerging technologies,” Maurice said.

Former education minister, now technical adviser to the Youth Development and National Service Minister Foster Cummings, Anthony Garcia said, “Entrepreneurship is the driver of economic growth, job creation and complex ideas many of which was successfully translated into products and services that touch citizens across TT.”

Creative director of EventologyTT – an event management company that started in 2009 – Derrick Lewis said, “Opportunity knocks, but creativity kicks the door open.”

Lewis explained that ideas must be shared and should be treated like WeTransfer links as that is how businesses tend to develop and flourish.

The marketplace of the conference was filled with many small businesses that have unique innovative takes on everyday items. People offered sorrel pepper sauce to alternative flour-based pancake mix and even alcoholic blends with flavours such as toffee caramel and pineapple cocktail with many others.

There were also handmade jewellery and accessories and information booths, one being Newsday’s (a platinum sponsor of the event) with all the information on advertising, sales and editorial insight.

This conference ends on Friday and speakers from Ramps Logistics Ltd, Tourism Trinidad Ltd and other businesses will be featured as speakers at the workshops in the coming days.