Articles

The Timely Perspective: Should You Borrow Money to Start a Business? Mark Cuban’s Advice Sparks an Important Conversation Helping entrepreneurs separate popular business advice from practical business decisions. See Mark’s video here first: If you take out a loan to start a business, you’re a Moron! Should You Borrow Money to Start a Business? Mark […]

Business Diagnosis: A recurring editorial series from The Timely Entrepreneur Resource and Research Centre examining the issues affecting entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Trinidad and Tobago, together with practical ways businesses can respond. When Customers Stop Spending: Understanding Today’s Business Slowdown Helping entrepreneurs understand what’s really happening inside the economy and inside their businesses. Over the […]

To protect client confidentiality, identifying details have been changed. The situations described are based on real business challenges encountered through our work with entrepreneurs. Real business situations. Practical lessons for entrepreneurs. Recently, during one of our Business in Trouble (BIT) Sessions, we reviewed a service-based business that, from the outside, appeared to be doing well: […]

Recent comments by businessman Robin Ojeer and Sieunarine Kumar Hardath, director of Hardath General Insurance Consultants Ltd, have reignited discussion about the state of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy. Both businessmen point to issues that many entrepreneurs and business owners have been quietly confronting for years: rising operating costs, foreign exchange constraints, delayed VAT refunds, crime-related […]

The 2026 economic reality The team at The Timely Entrepreneur Resource and Research Centre met recently to discuss the Economic Outlook for 2026. Here is a direct, unsentimental assessment for 2026, written for people who actually have to survive in the Trinidad and Tobago economy. Stripped of comfort language The outlook for 2026 is fragile […]

“Our population is ageing, and it is doing so rapidly. In 1980, only about five per cent of our citizens were aged 65 or older. Today, that number stands at over 11 per cent. By the year 2060, it is expected to more than double to 26 per cent. Think carefully about what that means.” […]

What Small Businesses in Trinidad and Tobago Should Be Concerned About Right Now Running a small business in Trinidad and Tobago has never been easy, but 2025 has brought a unique mix of economic, political, and social shifts that are making the environment even more challenging. While the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong across the country, […]

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: […]