QUALITY COMPUTERS 

After hearing Bill Gates story for the first time of moving from a garage business to the leading company in the world, 24 years old Kyle Albert knew what he wanted to do. He started his training as a self-taught person, hands-on, experimenting and reading all he could get his hands on relating to computers and how to build them and repair them.

Kyle approached the BYBT for start-up assistance at the age of 20, having heard about it from a friend.  The interview process was very good, relaxed and non-threatening and in July 2002 a start-up loan of BD$2582.00 was disbursed to this enthusiastic unemployed budding young entrepreneur to purchase software and to use for working capital.  This was no mistake, in May 2003 Kyle repaid the loan in full without missing a single repayment and had a business up, running and growing.

His business is a sole proprietorship and continues to grow and the 25 clients he started out with have now multiplied into over 100.  He has no staff but subcontracts what he needs done outside of his capacity.  His mentor helped him to develop contract agreements, business contracts, develop his financial management skills and extend his networking contacts.  Kyle never rests on his laurels but continues to research the latest technology and to make use of the training programmes which are available to him.  His main aim is to be in touch with the latest technology and to always be able to have access so he can satisfy his customers. 

Because of his business and the help that BYBT has offered him his quality of life has improved and he can see his ability to stay in business improving and his capacity to do more expanding.  His family has been very supportive, but they are not really interested in his business.  He has told others about BYBT and will continue to do so for a long time to come.

His mentor, Stanley McDonald an experienced and successful businessman himself has provided a lot of support for Kyle. He sees Kyle as a very ambitious, committed business- person who will go far as long as he dedicates himself to the task of building a business. Stanley says," I know that what I am doing is a good thing. It does my heart proud to see that I had some positive influence in helping to shape someone's future. Kyle and I have a great relationship and he continues to return to me for advice from time to time". An exit strategy meeting between Kyle, Stanley and the BYBT revealed that much returns on expectations was gained from the mentoring relationship from both parties. 

Financially Kyle thinks he can do a lot better and intends to expand his business into other products- Ipods and plasma screens among them, opening a showroom in Barbados and launching into business in other Caribbean islands, starting with St. Lucia because he has family there.  He agrees that he has more money now than before, but still worries about his financial future as at times he feels he has no control over his future. His annual turnover is BD$150,000.00 and he pays his taxes on a monthly basis.

Kyle's business plan was developed with help from his mentor and since he intends to expand he has been reviewing his plan with the help of friends through brainstorming sessions and the like.  

As a young person in his community, Kyle is seen as a role model, because many of the young men in his community are into anti-social activities or are in a state of inertia.  He laments that many of the young men are on the block, unemployed and seeking to make fast money through drugs or other anti-social behaviors.  Many youth may want to beg him for money instead of working for it themselves. The respect he commands from them due to his positive activities influences him to think that maybe some of them will, in the future, follow his example.

For Kyle, BYBT gave him an opportunity to believe in himself, to pursue his dreams and vision to become a business person and a better individual.  BYBT helped him to open the door to maximize his potential.  He has learnt a lot from his association with BYBT, attending seminars, business club meetings and conferences organized and sponsored by BYBT.  He has also attended training sessions with help through grants from BYBT.

"With the help of BYBT, especially with my mentor's help I have been able to grow so much.  I think so highly of myself now, I am a business man and I am still aspiring to reach Bill Gates status".