By ieyenews

Copyright ieyenews

Emily Sintorn, Monique Hamaty-Simmonds, and Chamber President-Elect Cristina Spratt

George Town, Cayman Islands – September 19, 2025 — SheTrades Caribbean Hub, the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development,(CICBD) and the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce hosted a dynamic and inspiring evening on Thursday, September 18 at the CICBD offices, Baytown Plaza, George Town. The session, “Building Local Brands with Global Appeal”, shone a spotlight on the power of women-led businesses and the global potential of Caribbean entrepreneurship through the SheTrades Caribbean Hub initiative, and followed 3 sessions which took place in early August.

The event welcomed a vibrant mix of local businesswomen, community leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs to hear from regional and local voices championing women’s participation in international trade.

Thais Ducent, Director of the Chamber’s Centre for Business Development (CICBD), opened the evening by welcoming guests and introducing keynote speaker Monique Hamaty-Simmonds, Chief Marketing Officer at Tortuga International Holdings. Ducent emphasized the importance of equipping women with the right skills, strategies, and networks to scale their businesses and contribute meaningfully to Cayman’s economic diversification.

“Her insights into brand development, marketing, and scaling globally will no doubt be valuable for all of us,” Ducent said. “As women in business, you know the challenges are real – but so are the opportunities.”

Joining virtually from Barbados, Kayanne Anderson, Regional Coordinator of the SheTrades Caribbean Hub, shared her enthusiasm for the initiative’s growing impact across the region.

“We are really honoured to be working with the Government and the Chamber,” Anderson said. “This is the fourth activity we’ve held since August, and it’s been both a motivation and an inspiration. We’re not just behind desks anymore — we’re seeing real impact in countries like the Cayman Islands.”

Monique Hamaty-Simmonds

Monique Hamaty-Simmonds captivated the audience with personal stories of entrepreneurial grit and vision, drawing from her family’s legacy of innovation. She recounted how her father, Robert Hamaty, a pilot for Cayman Airways, noticed tourists leaving the island empty-handed — sparking the idea that led to the now-iconic Tortuga Rum Cakes.

Hamaty-Simmons outlined three pillars of entrepreneurship drawn from her own experience:

Education – A strong foundation is essential for sustainable growth.

Mentorship – Listening to seasoned businesspeople can guide and inspire.

Vision and Execution – Turning ideas into action requires clarity and perseverance.

She encouraged attendees to make their business vision visible and powerful.

“Put it up on your wall. Let everyone see it. If it’s not powerful, it’s not the right vision,” she said. “You can be that great company — and will be — so long as you stick to the vision.”

The SheTrades Caribbean Hub, supported by the International Trade Centre and regional partners, aims to increase the participation of women-owned businesses in global trade. The Chamber’s collaboration with SheTrades reflects its ongoing commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs and building a future-ready workforce.

For more information on upcoming SheTrades events and Chamber initiatives, visit www.caymanchamber.ky. Or contact Emily Sintorn: [email protected]