I worked at a bank for a
number of years and while working there, I met a man who told me his success
story as an entrepreneur. He would come to the bank, dressed in his cleanly
pressed shirt, his tie and dress pants and the staff would eagerly rush to
their handbags to get money to ensure they got at least one of the product he
offered. Everyone knew when he came into the bank, because as soon as he
ascended the escalator and arrived on the mezzanine floor, some of the staff would
rush to the telephone to buzz their friends on the intercom to announce his
arrival. He would travel the eight floors in the elevator to get to as many
clients as possible and usually when he came down again, his bags (or should I
say briefcases) of goodies would be all gone. I remember the first time I
experienced his arrival to my unit as if it was yesterday. The loan officers
that were with clients excused themselves, quickly handed me some money and
told me how many of his product to purchase for them while they quickly
returned to their clients. Even the manager and supervisor of the unit got in
on the action, telling me to discretely ask the front-line staff if they needed
any before he departed our unit.
When this entrepreneur
became accustomed with me after I repeatedly purchased from him and chatted
with him every time he came by, I finally asked him how he got into the
business he was in. He relayed his story and pulled out newspaper articles
which he carried around with him. He was featured in both the Trinidad Guardian
newspaper and the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Leaving a budding career in the
insurance industry, this entrepreneur helped his wife to bake and sell pone,
for which he says, they have made a thriving career out of. His story was such
a fascinating one that I want to share it with my readers today. He is commonly
known as the “Pone Emperor” and can usually be seen walking the streets of Port
of Spain, stopping by most business places in the city. If you are travelling to
Port of Spain in a maxi taxi on the bus route from east to west after 3 in the
afternoon, you may get a glimpse of him. Always very friendly and with a smile
on his face he would greet you. To read his story and be inspired, click on the
links below.
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