Small businesses aim for strength in numbers

(CNS):  Hoping to tackle issues regarding financing for small businesses; immigration as well as fighting small claims the Cayman Islands Small Business Association (CISBA) had its first general meeting last month. By coming together members hope the association will provide a voice for small businesses in the Cayman Islands and to be able to share informaiton and help each other. Its currently has 50 members from a wide cross-section of enterprises including medical, retail and professional services companies. 

The CISBA has applied for registration as non-profit organization and the Executive Directors are: Rhonda Kelly, President; Joel Scott, Vice President; Madhavi Mathura, Treasurer; Magda Embury, Secretary; Annice Sambula, Secretary; Debbie Hand; Communications and Sandra Lichtenstein, Memberships. The association’s website www.cisba.ky, went live on 8 March and it will serve as an extra toll for members and promote the association.

Other features on the website include a directory, which lists all the current members of the association. In future, members can post their business profile to the site and avail themselves of interactive features including a marketplace to promote their goods and services; a chat room, online seminars and training opportunities and an “Ask the Expert” section. 

Another goal is for members to join together at networking events where membership can share and learn, “This first event will begin to answer the need for the kind of networking and contacts through which small businesses can share their common challenges, provide support for each other and discuss issues that are critical to their operation and survival,” President, Rhonda Kelly said.

“We hope these events every other month will create awareness of the CISBA and that members will benefit from coming together in this way,” she added. 

Members of the association have identified three key issues for which CISBA will seek to take action immediately: financing for small businesses; immigration and small claims/judicial issues. Steering committees are being set up to research and discuss these issues and create action plans for presentation to the next general meeting to be held in April. 

Cayman Islands Small Business Association will hold regular meetings and networking events every other month.  For further information, or to become a member, please contact Rhonda Kelly at rhonda@kellyholding.com or info@cisba.ky.