Insurance giant lends a hand to fledgeling businesses – The Royal Gazette
Created: Mar 23, 2024 07:45 AM
From little acorns …: market vendors drum up business in the hall of the AXA XL headquarters (Photograph by Akil Simmons)
It employs more than 9,000 people in 30 countries and generates billions in revenues.
But yesterday, insurance giant AXA XL took time out to support some of the island’s fledgeling businesses that are owned and run by part-time entrepreneurs from their own homes.
The vast lobby of the company’s headquarters on Bermudiana Road was transformed into an Aladdin’s cave of locally made, artisanal goodies ranging from home-made cookies to cosmetics and candles, being sold by more than 30 market vendors.
The Easter market was the idea of Chrissie Basden, an assistant underwriter at AXA XL.
Ms Basden said: “I had gone to a vendor’s market at the end of last year and thought it would be a great idea to have one here as we have such a great space for it.
“We have so much local talent and I thought we could get them all together and put them in the public eye as a lot of people don’t know about these vendors.
“It was then just a question of asking the head of the company, Patrick Tannock if we could do something here. He said ‘yes’, and it just took off.
Ms Basden began contacting island vendors at the beginning of the year through social media.
“I wanted to contact people who have really great products but aren’t really out there at the moment,” she said.
Spreading the word: the event enabled entrepreneurs to engage with customers face-to-face (Photograph by Akil Simmons)
Signe Constable, who designs and makes her own jewellery at Yellowbird Bermuda, had a busy afternoon meeting customers.
Ms Constable said: “I don’t have a bricks-and-mortar store. I’m an online shop at the moment so I definitely rely on these markets for people to be able to see my products in real life.
“We have a lot of these markets around Christmas, which is good for business, but it’s great that we’re branching out to Easter as well.”
Tyrone Smith agreed. Mr Smith manufactures a range of imaginatively flavoured granolas through his company, Oatbelievable, which are sold through outlets such as Lindo’s and Island Pantry.
But he added: “Vendor markets are particularly advantageous because they give you the ability to interact with people and show them exactly what you have.
“Most times, people may see a product but they won’t know what it is or where it’s from. Here we can meet people, tell them about the product, and let them try it. It gives us more visibility and gets our story out there.”
Stall holders were asked to pay a fee to attend the event, with all proceeds being donated to The Family Centre charity.
