Although the word ‘entrepreneur’ might sound sexy, in fact, it is anything but that. Entrepreneurs tend to face several challenges that can bring them to their knees, and even to give up. Barbadian entrepreneur, Khalil Bryan, shares is own journey – the blood sweat and tears, along with the passion, positivity and persistence – which has in resulted Caribbean Transit Solutions, and which may soon be able to offer more cost-effective inter-island travel options across the Caribbean region.
This episode is also available in Apple iTunes and on Stitcher!
For anyone who romanticises about starting their own business, perish the thought. As a mentioned in a recent article, 5 lessons i have learned (so far) as an entrepreneur, you will probably have to work harder than you worked when you were in someone else’ employ, and it may require considerable personal sacrifice, in order to get the business on firm footing.
Having said this, passion, positivity and persistence can take you far on the entrepreneurial journey. In those bleak moments, it crucial to have something to hold on to – even if it is your conviction that what you are trying to accomplish has value, and is worth the blood, sweat and tears.
In this our last podcast episode for 2018, we are thrilled to meet someone who is passionate about the business he is building. Khalil Bryan is the Co-Founder and Business Development Lead of Caribbean Transit Solutions, which offers location and logistics-based solutions in Barbados. Currently, the company offers three services: EasyTrak, BeepBus and BeepCab.
Although located in Barbados, as the name suggests, Caribbean Transit Solutions has regional ambitions, which is not just limited to offering more cost-effective travel solutions throughout the Caribbean region. Khalil shares with us what is likely to be the true value of Caribbean Transit Solutions – if it continues to gain the traction anticipated.
Having said this, Khalil still keeps the conversation real, by sharing some of the challenges experienced and sacrifices he had to make as he sought to build Caribbean Transit Solutions – some of which might have seriously thwarted others, and cause them to give up. However, his passion, positivity and persistence through those bleak times all seem to be paying off.
In our discussion with Khalil, some of the areas covered were:
- An overview of Caribbean Transit Solutions, and how its services benefit consumers
- What drove Khalil and his other Co-Founders to set up the business in the first place
- A time when Khalil thought the business might be failing, and how he you turned that situation around
- The best piece of advice Khalil would give entrepreneurs and young tech start-ups
- Where Khalil would like to see Caribbean Transit Solutions in the next 3 to 5 years
- A bit of Khalil’s story, and his entrepreneurial journey to date
- What it is like to be an entrepreneur in Barbados, and what Khalil thinks about the country’s start-up environment/culture
- Books or other resources Khalil finds yourself returning to or, recommending to friends
- What Khalil believes are his greatest strength as a manager or leader of an organisation, and what he believes might be is greatest weakness
- Some of things that are on Khalil’s personal and professional bucket list that he is eager to achieve.
We would love to hear your thoughts!
Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse
Select links
Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:
- Khalil Bryan
- Caribbean Transit Solutions
- EasyTrak
- BeepBus
- BeepCab
- Youtube clip, Khalil B – Biggest Baddest Bucket List (Barbados)
- CNN article, 15 of the world’s best bungee jumps
- Bitt
- Podcast interview, ICTP 033: Emerging opportunities in cryptocurrencies, digital currencies and blockchain technology in the Caribbean, with Gabriel Abed of Bitt
- Article, Carlton Cummins wins the 2016 Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- Tesla Powerwall
- Trident Angels (Angel investment group in Barbados)
- The Code of the Extraordinary Mind, Vishen Lakhiani
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey
- The 4-hour Work Week, Timothy Ferriss
- How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie
- The 5 Languages of Love, Gary Chapman
- The Lean Start-up, Eric Ries
- Kirk Anthony Hamilton
- Tech Beach
Image credits: Pxhere; K Bryan
Music credit: Ray Holman