In 2005 many business persons made contributions to this country in various ways. This month in Searchlight BUSINESS, we salute just four of the many local business leaders who made a difference, not only in the world of business, but while doing so, managed to touch the lives of many individuals in a very personal way.{{more}}

Dr. Jules Ferdinand

Despite being at the helm of one of our largest manufacturing enterprises, Dr. Jules Ferdinand was able to find time to give numerous motivational speeches to young people, and write weekly newspaper columns in the same vein, drawing on his own life experience to encourage our younger generation to keep looking up and moving forward. Dr. Ferdinand also gave lectures to the business sector on entrepreneurship and other topics. He serves on the Boards of several charitable organizations, and is the chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Liberty Lodge Boys’ Training Centre. For his public spiritedness and determination to make a difference in the lives of others, especially the less fortunate, we recognize Dr. Ferdinand.

Ken Boyea

This Caribbean Entrepreneur is recognized for creating dozens of new, permanent jobs with the opening of Aunt Jobe’s Supermarket in 2005. The multi-million dollar venture provides a new type of supermarket experience for Vincentians, which, according to Boyea’s son Luke, “intends to transform the way people shop, to make the experience an exciting family and social event.”

Basil Charles

Mustique Businessman, Basil Charles, founder of the Basil Charles Education Foundation awarded six more scholarships and bursaries to deserving children during 2005. Each year, Charles hosts the world renowned Mustique Blues Festival to raise funds for his Education Foundation. Over the years, more than 30 needy children have gone to school with help from Charles who is also the driving force behind the Mustique Education Trust which provides computer assisted adult education classes to workers in Mustique. Charles was honoured in last year’s Queen’s New Year’s honours list with the award of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Distinguished Contribution to Business and Community Service.

Suzanne Goodluck

For the fifth consecutive year, businesswoman and proprietor of Suzanne’s Hair Studio, Suzanne Goodluck, opened her salon and heart to the senior citizens of our country. For an entire day, men and women over 60 were treated to a day of pampering free of charge. The staff at Suzanne’s Hair Studio worked well into the evening providing hair treatments and styles, manicures, pedicures, other beauty treatments and refreshments. Additionally, in 2005, Goodluck, along with her sisters and business partners, Simone and Samantha awarded three secondary school scholarships to needy childrenn