New vendors are being encouraged to tap into their entrepreneurial spirit and set up a business that can provide empowerment to themselves and help with the revitalisation of tourism.

More than 60 people attended the first in a series of three workshop seminars being held by the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC).

The event at the World Heritage Centre Auditorium, where speakers included Pat Phillip-Fairn, chief product and experience officer with the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

“Vendors should consider offering unique personalised products. The culture experience is the common theme amongst the BTA’s three targeted customers,” she said.

“Bermuda’s exports are the experiences that we give people. Bermuda will differentiate itself by offering a unique experience. It is the local connection that people are searching for.”

Successful entrepreneur Kamilah Cannonier, who grew her stall into the Sweet Saak Bakery, in St George, underlined the necessity of devoting time to their business.

“I had a plan even when I started operating out of my Mom’s house,” she said. “Business is cut-throat — you have to have the fight in you to survive,” she said.

The BEDC, in partnership with Clarien Bank, offers a microloan plan with guaranteed low interest loans of up to $7,500, which can be used to purchase products or capital items needed to operate a business, the agency said in a statement.

The scheme is the first of its kind in Bermuda and was created with vendors in mind.

At the seminar, Tony Thompson emphasised the importance of effectively using a table or booth to entice potential customers.

He said a vendor’s table should act as a “silent sales person”, inviting potential customers and being visually stimulating. Mr Thompson is the men’s buyer and visual merchandiser for Gibbons Company.

Raymond Lambert, economic development officer with the BEDC, said: “The Vendor Seminar Series is a particularly important series since it provides valuable information on how to start up and improve your own business. Vending is entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship is empowerment.

“There are numerous business owners who started out as vendors and now own their own stores.

“As this trend is expected to continue, it requires us to reach out into the community and encourage new vendors to come out and participate.”

He added: “This directly relates to the revitalisation of the town since the more activity that occurs, the more people will visit and more visitors relates to increased opportunities that people will eat in the restaurants, visit the museums and buy in the shops.”

The second workshop seminar, entitled Making Money at Vending, will be held at the Bermuda Industrial Union, in Hamilton, on April 16 between 5.30pm and 8.30pm.

The final seminar will take place in Somerset on April 28.

For further information contact the BEDC by e-mail at info@bedc.bm or visit the website www.bedc.bm