Camana Bay's inspiring women entrepreneurs

Throughout Camana Bay, there is no shortage of inspiring women entrepreneurs and business owners.

“Women often bring a strong sense of empathy, collaboration and adaptability to their businesses. These strengths are vital in building community-oriented brands and fostering genuine connections with customers," said Lucy Georgakopoulos Tibbetts, the woman behind Mail Boxes Etc.

The United Nations celebrates Women's Entrepreneurship Day annually on 19 Nov., a day spearheaded by the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization to celebrate and support women in business worldwide.

That support was much needed when Georgakopoulos Tibbetts opened the business in 2008 amidst a global financial crisis, driven by a desire to make people’s lives easier through convenient logistics services. Over the years, Mail Boxes Etc. has become a trusted service for locals, with innovations like e-box and Virtual Mailbox services being customer favourites. Georgakopoulos Tibbetts credits her success to building a strong, supportive team and relationships within the Cayman Islands community.

“An entrepreneur does not have to be a jack-of-all-trades," she said, adding her focus on empathy and adaptability is reflective of a broader strength among women entrepreneurs. "In Cayman, these qualities help create a sense of shared purpose and belonging, which can resonate deeply within a small island community.”

Rebecca Singleton founded TABS — an island-inspired clothing brand — out of a deep love for island life. After achieving success in Bermuda, a family vacation to Grand Cayman led her to expand the brand to Cayman.

Despite the challenges of balancing motherhood and business ownership, Singleton credits her passion for TABS and a supportive family and team for helping her stay focused. Looking ahead, she plans to continue growing the brand through collaborations with local artists and entrepreneurs.

“Building connections within the local business community is essential, and Camana Bay has been a great place to foster those relationships," Singleton said.

"The creative energy of the area has played a key role in TABS’ growth, with the opening of the Camana Bay store being a major milestone as it marked TABS’ first international expansion beyond Bermuda."

Both hope to see more women-led businesses thrive in Cayman and encourage others to pursue their passions with confidence and determination.

"And therein lies the heart of the entrepreneur — a little bit of fear, and a whole lot of self-belief," Georgakopoulos Tibbetts said.

It's a mindset that continues to drive both women forward, empowering them to inspire and uplift others along the way.

This article was originally published in the November 2024 print edition of Camana Bay Times.