YBI Entrepreneur of the Year 2006
In 2006, Zablon Karingi Muthaka from Kenya was the YBI Entrepreneur
of the Year.
The Finalists:
Ailene Harrison-Malcolm, Barbados: Full Elegance
Boutique
Ailene was made redundant at the age of 29. At this point she
made her dream a reality and set up her boutique creating gorgeous
fashions for curvaceous women.
Amin Ismail Almel, India: Sunrise Systems and
Instruments
Coming from a financially challenged family, Amin proved to be
academically driven gaining a diploma in electronic
instrumentation. After graduation it was not long before he was
compelled to find a product he could market himself. He went on to
develop a his business that manufactures and markets fake currency
detectors
Andres Maygua, Argentina: Cleto Casto
His grandfather was the first blacksmith in the family and
opened a business in 1975. Unfortunately when he was taken ill the
shop had to close as they needed to sell the tools and machinery to
afford the medical expenses. His father continued in the trade but
did not succeed in restarting the business. When Andrew had learnt
enough skills from his father he reopened the family business.
Cecilia Beltramino, Argentina: Puska
Despite facing an economic crisis both in the country and via
her husband’s failing business, Cecilia was determined in turning
life around for her family. As a result, she successfully started
up her own business, creating environmentally conscious clothes and
handicrafts.
Manisha Kirad, India: Shambhavi Plastics
The death of Manisha’s father meant she had to discontinue her
education to look after her family. She overcame the hardship and
eventually set up a business in plastic injection, creating moulds
for top pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies.
Paul Conway, Scotland: Paul's Quality Butchers
Paul has been butchering since he was 13 years old. As soon as
he left school he became an apprentice butcher. With his wealth of
experience he opened his own successful, traditional quality
butcher shop, providing for the general public and commercial
businesses.
Pierre Dubillard, Canada: Le Rouge Vin
Pierre had harboured a dream of being a chef since childhood,
and his approach to risk taking and his strong ambition let him
becoming a professional chef and becoming the founder and owner of
a fine dining, gourmet restaurant well known for its flavour and
its finesse.
Suranji Karunathilake, Sri Lanka: Westa Jewellery and
Manufacturing
Suranji had a difficult childhood; with her family facing sever
financial hardship as well as dealing with the crippling affects of
her father’s alcoholism. With her mother unable to cope, Suranji
left school to look after her family. She won a scholarship to do a
jewellery course, and passing with flying colours, eventually set
up her own business, making and manufacturing beautiful
jewellery.
Tommy Farrell and Brian Dodd’s, Scotland: Baguette N
Go
With a lack of employment opportunity in the area and a desire
for a more secure future, these two young men analysed their town
and found a gap in the market for a good quality take away sandwich
shop. Never having worked in the industry before, and rarely having
made a sandwich at home, they did some extensive research before
committing themselves to the business idea. They now have 5 stores
in Scotland.
Winner
Zablon Karingi Muthaka, Kenya: Beta Bins Waste
Management and Environmental Conservation
Coming from a cosmopolitan slum, and frustrated by the
inadequate waste disposal service, Zablon wanted to find and
innovative way to improve the health of his community. With this in
mind he developed his business idea, disposing of waste in an
environmentally friendly way.