13 Jul Entrepreneurial Profile – Nikita Legall
Many young persons were born with high levels of creativity and dexterity, and therein lies their entrepreneurial potential. Nikita Legall, one of YBTT’s success stories, is one such individual who began her entrepreneurial pursuit from as early as 10 years. “I would ask my Mom to purchase boxes of pencils which I took to school for re-sale to students. I generated income of $30.00 daily” said Legall. The holder of a BSc. in Chemical and Process Engineering and a Post-Graduate Dip. in Environmental Engineering, it is quite obvious to many, that Legall would have been employed in a large organization as an Engineer, but she begs to differ! She likens the discipline of Engineering to that of Entrepreneurship which is based primarily on problem-solving.
Her experience with YBTT has led to the establishment of a very unique business. According to Legall “In September 2014, I approached YBTT with two (2) business ideas – ‘Honey Production’ and ‘Introduction of a Mobile App.’ They advised me to pursue the Honey Production because of its uniqueness, provided me with the required resources i.e. funding, training and mentorship, and the rest is history”! She continued “the training programme offered by YBTT is excellent, especially the Life Skills’ component which assisted me with my personal development. Their After-Care support is exceptional.” Interestingly, Legall’s Mentor, Rachel Renie, the Managing Director of Market Movers Limited is also one of YBTT’s success stories. Legall is extremely grateful for Renie’s Mentorship coaching which she has described as “the right fit for my business.” Legall owns an Apiary and expects her first batch of honey within the next six (6) weeks.
Legall recognizes that given the type of business, she would not be able to satisfy the full demand, hence she has developed a network with other beekeepers who provide the required support in this area. Legall’s vision for the business is huge “I intend to establish my own brand, as well as expand the business with the introduction of other bee-related products within the next 3 to 5 years.”
Legall’s advice to young persons who may be thinking entrepreneurial “an idea does not create a person; you have to be willing to take advice from other entrepreneurs who have already walked that path, attend as much training programmes as you can, grow as much as you can, and success will be yours.”
By: Sandrine Rattan
Project Co-ordinator – Stakeholder & Media Relations (YBTT)
Published in the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday on Thursday, July 9th, 2015