Articles

WHO FILES A TAX RETURN Sole traders & self-employed persons – even if you made little to no income in the year. Registered companies – whether you are profitable or not. Individuals with additional income sources outside of employment. Partnerships – Green Fund Levy TAX RETURN VS ANNUAL RETURN Running a business is more than […]

Stop Trading Time for Money: How to Build Passive Income from the Business You Already Have When Your Business Needs to Work Without You Entrepreneurs often reach a point where the daily hustle becomes unsustainable. You’re the first one in and the last one out. You wear every hat: manager, marketer, service provider, and sometimes […]

Pay Yourself as an Entrepreneur! Let’s get honest: Too many small business owners are making sales but not taking home a cent for themselves. They’re covering all expenses: paying rent, covering suppliers and even spending on Facebook ads. But when it’s all said and done, they’re left empty. You’ve got to pay yourself as an […]

Limited Liability? Not Always. How Directors Can Still Be Personally Liable Under the Companies Act of Trinidad and Tobago   When we posted our last blog on “Struck Off & Still Operating”, we’ve had persons flooding our inbox with the question of ‘What about directors and limited liability?’ So hopefully this article can clear things […]

Struck Off & Still Operating? If your business has been struck off the Companies Registry, you are no longer a legally recognized entity, and continuing to operate could land you into a lot trouble. You may be in breach of the Companies Act. Let’s talk first about what it really means to be “Struck Off” […]

Help, I Run a Food Business and I’m Struggling to Keep Up With My Competitors If you run a food truck, or have a food business operating, then you know that in this hyper-competitive food and beverage industry, you have to put in the work. At The Timely Entrepreneur Resource and Research Centre, we work […]

How to Price What You’re Worth (Without Losing Customers) In today’s competitive marketplace, determining the right pricing strategy is essential for sustainable business growth. Many of us Entrepreneurs and service providers grapple with the challenge of pricing their offerings fairly, balancing client satisfaction while ensuring profitability. Understanding how to price what you’re worth without losing […]

The Funding Gap: What’s Really Holding MSMEs Back? While multiple funding mechanisms exist in theory, in practice, many MSMEs remain underfunded or entirely excluded from formal financing channels. The most common barriers include: High collateral requirements Limited or no credit history Weak financial documentation Informal business operations Lack of awareness about available programmes A January […]

A Strategic Solution for Struggling Small Business Owners Your Business May Be in Trouble — But It’s Not Beyond Repair. If you’re grappling with low sales, cashflow problems, or marketing that’s just not working, The Timely Entrepreneur’s Business in Trouble™ (BIT) Sessions offer a fast, focused solution. These sessions are built for urgent action and […]

Strategies for Small Businesses and SMEs to Thrive Amid Global Trade Uncertainties In today’s interconnected economy, tariffs and taxes are powerful tools that governments, use to influence trade policies. For Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), navigating the complexities of tariffs can be challenging but essential to safeguard their businesses. Let’s take a comprehensive look […]

The Timely Entrepreneur’s Guide: How to Negotiate Like a Pro  A playbook for closing deals, retaining clients, and maximizing value—Caribbean edition.   Table of Contents  The Psychology of Negotiation  Pre-Negotiation Prep  6 Proven Caribbean-Tested Tactics  Handling Objections  Closing with Confidence  Practice Scenarios    The Psychology of Negotiation  Key Mindsets:  Win-Win or Walk Away: Never force […]

RECESSION MARKETING PLAYBOOK By The Timely Entrepreneur Resource and Research Centre    The Reality of Recessions  Let’s face it—economic downturns are brutal. Customers tighten their wallets, competitors get desperate, and many businesses vanish. But here’s the truth: recessions also create HUGE opportunities for brands that adapt quickly. It’s what those in business identify as ‘the […]

Create Scarcity, FOMO & Instant Sales How to create scarcity, FOMO, and instant sales—even in a slow economy.   Why WhatsApp Works for Urgent Promos  – 98% open rates (vs. 20% for email)  – 45% faster replies than social media DMs  – Ideal for Caribbean markets where WhatsApp is the #1 messaging app    Pro Tip: […]

Recession-Proof Marketing Keep customers coming back even when budgets are tight with these proven subject headings. Here are some Psychology-Backed Subject Lines:   The “Exclusive Perk” Email For: Rewarding top customers Subject: “You’re Invited: A Little Something Just for You”   The “We’re Here for You” Email For: Building trust during tough times Subject: “No Gimmicks—Just Real Support for […]

  Proactive Strategies to Survive & Thrive in Economic Downturns  Phase 1: Fortify Your Foundations  (6–12 Months Before Potential Recession)   1. Financial Armor  – Cash Reserves: Build a 6-month liquidity buffer (prioritize this over expansion).  – Debt Strategy: Refinance high-interest loans; negotiate flexible terms.  – Expense Audit: Identify and cut 3–5 non-essential costs (e.g., subscriptions, […]

Idea Bank   Low-cost, culturally savvy side hustles and businesses for Trini entrepreneurs. How to Use This List Pick 3 ideas that align with your skills/resources. Test cheaply – Launch a MVP (e.g., Instagram page) before investing. Scale what works – Reinvest profits into higher-margin versions.   “Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” — The Timely Entrepreneur Resource and […]

Dedicated to Entrepreneurs STEP Ahead Internship Programme! Are you a young, ambitious Trinidadian aged 16–25, eager to break into the world of entrepreneurship but unsure where to start? The Timely Entrepreneur Resource and Research Centre (TTERRC) is thrilled to introduce you to our STEP Ahead: Youth Entrepreneurial Launchpad internship programme—your gateway to hands-on business experience, […]

THE TIMELY ENTREPRENEUR’S BCP AUDIT CHECKLIST  Ensure your Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is crisis-ready with this step-by-step audit. Identify gaps, strengthen weak points, and build unshakable resilience.  Section 1: Leadership & Crisis Response   1.1 Crisis Management Team  – Defined roles (who leads communications, operations, IT, etc.).  – Updated contact list (phone, email, backup contacts).  – […]

BUSINESS RESILIENCE PLAN TEMPLATE By The Timely Entrepreneur Resource and Research Centre 1. Business Overview – Company Name: – Date Prepared: – Prepared By: – Key Stakeholders (Name/Role/Contact): 2. Risk Assessment Identify potential threats and their impact (High/Medium/Low). (Customize with risks specific to your industry.) 3. Critical Business Functions List essential operations that must continue […]

“Don’t Wait for the Storm to Build Your Ark.“ RESILIENCE Adaptability Agility Sustainability Your Business Matters The economy is a fickle beast. We can’t control its twists and turns—but we can control how prepared we are. 90% of businesses fail during crises not because of the crisis itself, but because they lacked a plan. Whether […]