Local Entrepreneurs
Welcome 1 st National Bank’s
MSME Competency Unit
Michelle Cavalier-Alexander, The
Juice Box, which manufactures
fresh cold-pressed fruit juices.
guidance and support that comes
with it. Many times, entrepreneurs
are given financing and left on their
own. But with this initiative, I think
they will help you with each step
of your business so you can grow.
That’s the most attractive part for
me.
Denell Florius, founder of EcoCarib
Inc., a green energy service and
savings company.
Q: What are your thoughts
Q: How has the relationship
between 1 st National Bank and your
business been over the years?
Florius: It’s been a good one. We’re
actually working with them on a
special programme that they’ll be
launching soon. The programme
will be focused on our industry, so
we’ll be giving them feedback on
what we expect it to look like. So
we’re really excited about that.
Q: What’s your relationship with
1 st National Bank?
Cavalier-Alexander: I moved
back to Saint Lucia about ten
years ago and it’s the only bank
account I’ve had since moving
back. I would encourage people to
choose 1 st National Bank because
it’s an indigenous bank. The
bank also offers banking services
on Saturdays, which is a great
thing for small businesses. I also
have the app so I can check my
account at any time. I really love
the convenience 1 st National Bank
offers.
asked us what we needed before
implementing the Unit. This
is a pretty rare thing because
many people will bring you to
consultations, take your ideas,
come up with a fancy report and
implement nothing. So I’m really
happy that they implemented this
because it’s a game-changer for
Saint Lucian businesses.
Q: How do you feel knowing that
an indigenous bank is placing
special emphasis on young people
like yourself?
on 1 st National Bank’s MSME
Competency Unit?
Q: How does an initiative
like 1 st National Bank’s MSME
Competency Unit help your
business? Florius: “One of the major issues
businesses face is getting access
to adequate low interest, equity
financing, which is really needed
for start-ups or medium-sized
businesses. So we really like the
push that 1 st National Bank has
taken.
Cavalier-Alexander: It helps me
tremendously because it’s not just
about getting a loan, but also the The bank didn’t just have a top-
level approach to it, but actually
came to entrepreneurs and
64 SL-YOU | It’s All About Business
Florius: It’s a powerful feeling.
It’s something we really need.
When people look at Millennials,
they think we’re the crazy lazy
ones. However, the bank has
looked at us and said we’re the
creative and innovative ones. We
really need the people who are in
these positions to look at us and
give us an opportunity to make
amazing things happen. That way,
we can create the next innovative
technology and fashion companies
and other wonderful things.
www.slyoumag.com | February - April 2020