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 Research Centre
Food & Drink (Trini Flavors = Profit)
- “Doubles Kits” – Pre-measured channa/barra flour + recipes for diaspora
- Hot Sauce Subscription – Monthly delivery of local pepper sauces (e.g., Moruga Scorpion)
- Rum Cocktail Mixers – Pre-packaged ingredients for rum punch/sorrel drink
- Bake & Shark Pop-Ups – Mobile fry stations for events (health permit required)
- Corporate “Pastelle Platters” – Holiday orders for offices
Retail with a Trini Twist
- “Tobago Chocolate Experience” – Bean-to-bar workshops + souvenir packs
- Upcycled Carnival Costumes – Turn old feathers/beads into home decor
- Local Herb Boxes – Fever grass/chadon beni with planting instructions
- PNM/UNC Meme Merch – Politically themed stickers/mugs (low-risk satire)
- “Trini Auntie” Gift Crates – Blue soap, coconut oil, and angostura bitters
Digital Hustles (TT Focused)
- Soca Artist IG Management – Handle promotions for underground artists
- Caribbean Stock Photos – Sell pics of Maracas Beach/Pitch Lake to bloggers
- “Trini Slang” App – Crowdfund a dictionary with audio pronunciations
- Online Parang Lessons – Teach cuatro via Zoom to international learners
- Wining Workout Videos – Monetize YouTube tutorials
Tech Bonus: Offer WhatsApp Business setup services for market vendors.
Services TT Needs
- “Grocery Link” – Personal shopping for elderly/expats (charge 10% fee)
- AC Gas Refill Van – Mobile service for homes/businesses
- Carnival Band WhatsApp CRM – Manage customer queries for designers
- School Uniform Resale – Buy used, sanitize, resell before September
- “Dr. Fix-It” – One-call solution for leaks, tiles, etc. (subcontract tradesmen)
Urgent Need: Reliable last-mile delivery for e-commerce (use maxi taxis?).
Tourism Goldmines
- Airbnb “Yard Experience” – Charge tourists to lime with locals (dance, cook, etc.)
- Caroni Swamp Night Tours – Partner with licensed boatmen (safety first though)
- “Carnival for Introverts” – Private costume photoshoots
- Heritage Trail Podcast – Monetize via sponsors (Angostura, Tourism Board)
- Custom Chutney Lyrics – Write personalized songs for weddings
Eco-Opportunities
- Coconut Husk Planters – Upcycle from coconut vendors
- “Green Fete Kits” – Biodegradable cups/straws for party promoters
- Tire Upcycling – Make ottomans/playground equipment
- Plastic Brick Workshop – Teach communities to reuse waste
- Plant Clippings – Propagate succulents/herbs; sell in recycled containers.
Arts & Culture
- Old Carnival Tape Digitization – Convert VHS to DVDs for nostalgia lovers
- Steelpan Maintenance – Seasonal tuning/repair service
- Indigenous Storytelling Kits – Warao legends + craft activities for schools
- “Pothole Art” – Mosaic fillings sponsored by local businesses
- Custom Ole Mas Costumes – Political satire designs pre-Carnival
Financial Hacks
- Bundle low-cost digital products (e.g., “Remote Work Starter Pack”).
- TTD-USD Exchange Alerts – WhatsApp group with premium tips
- AI-Powered Services – Use ChatGPT/Midjourney to offer resume edits, social media captions, or logo designs.
- Small Biz Payroll Help – Handle NIS/BA payments for hustlers
- “Side Hustle CFO” – Teach other entrepreneurs to manage cash flow
10 Bonus Ideas for 2025
- “Crix & Cheese” Food Truck – Gourmet versions near bars
- Dragon Stout Ice Cream – Collab with parlors
- Port-of-Spain Walking Tours – though Zoe does a good job on her own
- “Pothole Reporter” – Sell verified data to municipal corps
- School Solar Project Kits – STEM grants available
- Pre-used Jumbie Dolls – Halloween rental service
- “Chutney AI” – Generate custom lyrics via chatbot
- Poui Bloom Alerts – SMS service for photographers
- “Caribbean Grandma’s Recipes” – PDF cookbook of traditional dishes
- Trini OnlyFans Cooking – Exclusive creole recipes platform
“Trini to de bone? Make money from home!” — The Timely Entrepreneur T&T Team