Shastri Boodan
More female entrepreneurs are entering non-traditional areas of the service industry, according to Natalya Rahamatula, SME Resource Centre Strategy Officer at JMMB Group.
Rahamatula spoke with Guardian Media on Tuesday during a graduation ceremony for participants of the company’s POwHERful programme, held at JMMB Group’s Chaguanas head office.
She explained that the event marked the completion of a six-month initiative involving eight women-led businesses in Trinidad and Tobago.
She said, “The theme of the programme is ‘her life, her wealth, her business’. The idea is to help participants build their businesses around these areas.”
Rahamatula said participants received support services, including access to JMMB financial solutions, coaching, and business development tools to help them scale and grow their enterprises.
Through the programme, participants also opened bank accounts, accessed loans, and established investment accounts with a minimum starting deposit of TT$1,000.
She stressed the importance of supporting women in business and pointed to their contribution to the small and medium-sized enterprise sector.
She said, “When you assist a woman-led business, you are also helping communities and nations, as women occupy a unique position in society as mothers, sisters, teachers and friends.”
Now in its third year, the programme has maintained a strong track record, with all businesses from previous cohorts still in operation. Rahamatula said many of these enterprises have grown into the small and medium-sized segments, demonstrating measurable financial progress and, in some cases, regional expansion.
She highlighted one participant, a retail entrepreneur who has expanded regionally and is now moving into manufacturing her own line of products, with significant revenue growth.
Rahamatula said that while many women continue to operate within the service sector, there is a growing presence in non-traditional fields. While some participants are involved in areas such as food and beverage, hair and beauty services, others have moved into less conventional industries.
She said, “One of the participants in this cohort owns a garage, providing vehicle maintenance and inspection services.”
Looking ahead, Rahamatula said the programme plans to expand its intake to ten participants annually, with the possibility of accommodating more as the JMMB team grows.
