Grand Bahama (Nov. 21, 2024) — The Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) proudly announced its partnership with Carnival Corporation to launch the inaugural Men in Business Programme. This groundbreaking initiative, which prioritizes support for male entrepreneurs, particularly in the Family Islands, underscores the commitment of both organizations to fostering inclusive economic development.
The partnership was unveiled aboard the Carnival Venezia in Grand Bahama, where Carnival Corporation announced its significant financial contribution to the programme. Special funding was allocated to support male entrepreneurs in Grand Bahama and Bimini, while additional funding opportunities were extended to men across The Bahamas through the SBDC's Men in Business Grant Programme. This collaboration reinforces the SBDC’s focus on empowering Family Island communities and ensuring equitable access to entrepreneurial resources, including mentorship and training.
"The Men in Business Programme is more than an initiative—it’s a lifeline for male entrepreneurs across The Bahamas, especially in our Family Islands," said SBDC Executive Director Samantha L. Rolle. "By providing targeted support, such as funding for Grand Bahama and Bimini entrepreneurs and mentorship through strategic partnerships, we are addressing critical gaps and unlocking potential. We are deeply grateful to Carnival Corporation for not only funding this initiative but for sharing our vision of empowering Bahamian entrepreneurs to thrive in a global economy."
The Men in Business Programme featured a comprehensive Business Blueprint Training Course, the dynamic EmpowerMEN Forum hosted on International Men’s Day (November 19), and the Gender Equality Survey. Together, these components addressed key challenges faced by male entrepreneurs and provided actionable insights to promote gender equity within the entrepreneurial landscape.
“Carnival Corporation is thrilled to be supporting this fantastic initiative. While striving to create memorable experiences for our guests, Carnival is only as successful as the strength of its destination partners, like The Bahamas, which have had a long-standing relationship with. While our plans are well under way for the building of our new $600 million dollar Celebration Key destination located in Grand Bahama, it is equally important to us that we help build the people and communities in the ports and destinations we call on. We thank the Small Business Development Center and other partners for collaborating with Carnival on this very important initiative.”
The success of the Men in Business Programme builds on the momentum of the SBDC's 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative, which awarded more than $600,000 in funding to 79 Bahamian women. The initiative demonstrated the SBDC’s commitment to fostering economic growth through inclusive programming that prioritizes the unique needs of diverse groups within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As the Men in Business programme has closed for 2024, grant applications from participants are under review. The SBDC and its partners remain committed to supporting the growth and success of Bahamian entrepreneurs through innovative programmes like Men in Business.
For more information about the Men in Business Programme and how the SBDC can help entrepreneurs advance their businesses, please visit sbdcbahamas.com or contact (242) 461-7232.
About the Small Business Development Centre
The Small Business Development Centre provides access to expert guidance, resources and support for entrepreneurs with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in The Bahamas. Since 2018, the SBDC passionately fosters entrepreneurship and economic development through personalized consulting, dynamic training workshops, capital access, and networking opportunities. The SBDC is devoted to empowering dreams and fueling growth for entrepreneurs. For more information, visit sbdcbahamas.com or contact (242) 461-7232.
