Remarks as prepared
Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch
Services Showcase Breakfast to Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week
November 20, 2019, 9:00 AM
Herdmanston Lodge
Esteemed Guests All,
Hello!
It’s so great to be here! I have had a wonderful time meeting some of you already, and hope I can talk to some more of you, so I don’t want to take too much time with the formalities. The main purpose of your meeting today is to celebrate your accomplishments, having taken the training offered by Cerulean Incorporated and passed your final exam on Sunday at the showcase! As the Ambassador representing the United States, I can tell you our mission in Guyana, and really everywhere in the world, is to help democracies prosper. And what better way to do that than to help grow the entrepreneurial spirit. And from what I’ve heard this morning already, you definitely have it.
Let’s give a big round of applause to the brains behind this operation, Lyndell Danzie-Black of Cerulean Incorporated (applause.) Not only did she reach out to the Embassy to support this idea, but she ran the organizing committee, kept everyone informed all along the way, got the venue, got the advertising, with of course a great team too. I am also impressed that you opened the door for young people to be a part of the Showcase; one of our Youth Ambassadors is here today, and I heard they did well on their bake sale to raise money for a leadership conference they want to organize in Berbice. I also heard, Lyndell, you are one of the founding members of the brand new Women’s Chamber of Commerce, set to have its inauguration tomorrow! We at the Embassy are thrilled to see more activity in the business sector, especially from female entrepreneurs,
Another reason I am here today is to formally recognize Global Entrepreneurship Week, which is happening this week all around the world. Embassies are organizing events and campaigns to highlight the importance the U.S. places on business and fair trade. I am here to tell you that the U.S. wants to do business with Guyanese companies. Full stop. How we get U.S. companies to invest here is another issue, and we are working on that front, but from the Guyanese side, organizations like the new Women’s Chamber are a great step for getting the right training, the right information to members on HOW to be more competitive. What standards need to be achieved? What does the government need to do to help make things easier for business? I would encourage all of you to not only continue to work at your own business but consider joining a Chamber to get yourself known and network.
Entrepreneurs are special people. Studies show that they have a unique brain chemistry that makes them willing to give up sleep, time with family, money, and other activities just to pursue their dream. I find it admirable. They don’t fit into one mold, they are definitely out of the box thinkers, and they are driven. I did some research, and I found there are 5 characteristics which make up a successful entrepreneur, so I thought I would share them with you.
First, success doesn’t come without some risk. Whether its quitting your old job or just ignoring the fact that most businesses fail – a successful entrepreneur has a higher than normal risk tolerance. But that doesn’t mean they are thrill seekers. They simply calculate that their passion to succeed is more important than the risk.
Second, successful entrepreneurs are not driven by money alone. They are driven to be the best they can be in the business they have chosen. Profits exist, but it’s not the primary focus. Being the best is.
Third, real entrepreneurs are passionate. They are active and don’t let what others think about them bother them. They drive ahead not because people approve, but because they are driving by a burning desire from within.
Fourth, entrepreneurs are not born. They are not from entrepreneur parents or from certain schools. Some of the best entrepreneurs have very little formal education. But one thing they do tend to have is mentors. Many entrepreneurs credit their success to successful mentoring relationships.
And lastly, entrepreneurs know how to find the right partners. They necessarily don’t set out to be leaders, but people often follow them. While they may be leaders due to their singular focus, they know how to partner with others who have great skills to help them pursue their passions.
In the end, what makes entrepreneurs so special is they are passionate about pursuing their dreams. They do this knowing that there is a greater chance for failure than success, but they still want to move forward. If you are sitting in this room, chances are you have the spark that is needed, and if you’re willing to give every ounce of your focus and energy, you may just get there!
Thank you very much, and I look forward to talking to more of you.
