Successes of self-employment

The words of the chorus of the national anthem of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are very defining particularly where it reads, ‘Whate’er the future brings, our faith will see us through’. This faith will be underdeveloped, hollow and meaningless if it is not deeply grounded in efforts to foster national pride as we approach the uncertainties of an ever-changing future.{{more}}

A fundamental aspect of nation building is founded on solutions for economic development and community empowerment. However, if the successes of these efforts are to be sustained they must be twinned with high levels of patriotism. Nothing less will suffice. As our society experiences the unfolding of the realities of the 21st Century, the processes by which we engage in ‘nation building’ must not be plagued by frivolous sporadic rivalry which will seek only to retard any form of natural or catalyzed progression. Instead, we must put aside all forms of moral cowardice that tend to restrain creativity and the ambitions necessary to maintain high levels of innovativeness essential for the growth of our people. Whilst the relics of colonialism are allowed to wear we must be careful not to create our own internal systems of oppression. Instead, the struggle must be one that seeks to unite our people to work towards one common national Vincentian objective.

Our development as a people is multidimensional and it entails a close interplay between the private and public sectors. Today we see an increasing trend in the growth of self-employed citizens. More persons are realising the existence of their entrepreneurial potential. This new trend is extremely important to the economic development of our small economy and must be encouraged at all times. This is definitely an important aspect of our personal and national pride.

Being self-employed is the ability to earn one’s livelihood directly from one’s own trade or business rather than by being an employee of another. A further definition may include but is not limited to circumstances where an individual operates a business as a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, an independent contractor, or a consultant. One very important factor in this equation is the motive of the person who decides to become self-employed. A sole trader’s business plucked from the middle of nowhere, with limited moral support and capital can experience challenges with a fatal consequence. However, with a careful exercise of financial prudence we should not be afraid to approach such business ventures boldly.

As the face of our rural communities begins to change, self-employment as a tool allows people to participate actively in their own development. We must therefore overcome the obstacles which tend to bar us from the establishment of small enterprises. Poverty reduction, a redistribution of wealth and a reduction in social inequality are all positives to be derived. In the long run, successful entrepreneurial pursuits will open the doors to many varied personal and community empowerment advantages, greater potential for income would lead to greater potential for retirement security, effective control of one’s destiny, the ability to provide an inheritance for your children, flexibility in working hours and greater opportunities to employ family, friends and community members.

A successful drive advocating self-employment in any developing economy is crucial to any nation building effort. It is in our best interest as youths to make calculated and precise movements towards a connectedness among ourselves specifically, and more generally with the major systems that make up our society. We must at all times be mindful that the outcome of our youthfulness will be the sum calculation of our contributions to our society. It is in this light that we must search our inner selves carefully so that we can bring out that best in us.