Think differently, swim differently — that's one way of creating a bankable idea that swells into a profitable business, according to Matthew Gaul, the founder of the Econome Business Conference and Mixer.
The two-day conference — themed "Swim Different" this year— was held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel last weekend. As he has done before, Gaul filled a conference hall with hundreds of young Guyanese eager to learn about business, networking, and financial literacy.
And speaker after speaker emphasised how apt the theme was. In a country where opportunities are said to be abundant but quickly filled, how does any budding entrepreneur capitalise on the moment? Andre Jeffers, Chief Strategy Officer of the ANSA McAL Group, offered one answer: some of the greatest opportunities lie beyond crowded markets, in sustainable spaces. Keoma Griffith, Guyana's Minister of Labour, said entrepreneurs and workers alike need to adapt, whether through their offerings or skillsets.
For many in the room, there is an opportunity to capitalise on: the forthcoming Guyana Development Bank. The bank promises interest-free, collateral-free loans up to $3 million and opportunities to get co-financing alongside commercial banks. It’s an initiative that could fund different, niche and necessary ventures.
Gaul said he and his team kept this in mind when planning Econome V.
"[The conference was] curated to help persons come up with viable, different ideas that ensure there is some level of viability and success. We wanna teach people to think differently, swim differently, go in uncharted waters where no one else has gone, and there you'll find value," Gaul told Fueled on the sidelines of the event.
And what's that bankable idea? Well, it could be any service or product across any sector, but it must have the potential for profitability and sustainability.
So Gaul and his team wanted the event to show Guyanese how to swim differently in the sea of business opportunities — not by figuring out uncharted waters alone, but by learning from others, teaming up and finding niche spaces to create value.
Beyond the two-day conference, Gaul said the Econome team has also built an online space for young people to keep the conversation going and find ways to work together. All in all, he said, Econome has positioned itself as an essential incubator, supporting the dreams of young Guyanese.
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