A success story from the Self-Starter Program is launching a documentary profiling the rise of his small business, and is hopeful that other Bahamian entrepreneurs can follow the blueprint.
The documentary is called "The Bahamian Dream", and takes a look at Bahamas Striping - a company that primarily focuses on the striping of roads, parking lots and other areas that require markers. Jerome Sawyer is the producer of the documentary and conducts a round of interviews with Bahamas Striping employees and clients that have contracted the small business.
President of Bahamas Striping Atario Mitchell is the focus of the documentary, and he shared his struggles after receiving a $5,000 grant from the Self-Starter program. He had to build a reputation from the ground up while competing against offshore firms.
Mitchell also explained the difficulties he faced in landing any work on the New Providence Road Improvement Project, but managed to secure a contract. His company has also been involved with the $409.5 million Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) redevelopment project.
Other contracts landed by the humble start-up include work for Solomon's Fresh Market at the Old Fort Bay Town Centre and 1.5 miles of roadway in Eleuthera.
The company has eight full-time employees and four that work part time.
Mitchell said that government should find ways to "nurture" small Bahamian businesses and provide some sort of an initial plan that involves networking until they are able to operate on their own. Failure to do so, according to Mitchell, will prevent any growth that small business want to achieve and local job opportunities will be lost due to foreign firms landing all the contracts.
Bahamas Striping was founded in 2010, and to date it has invested $200,000 in equipment. The company recently purchased a thermoplastic trailer in February valued at $80,000, which will allow it to take on larger projects at a more productive pace. The most recent contract the self-starter business was trying to land was the Lyford Cay Road project, estimated to be worth around $65,000.
Mitchell is also lobbying the government about the need to implement a maintenance program, where roads are held up to international standards. In addition to striping, pothole services are also offered by the firm.
The 30-minute documentary is set to air on all of the local channels, including Cable 12.

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