标签： Trinidad and Tobago

At just 15 years old, Rachel Kirton, a student at Holy Name Convent, has turned her passion for baking into a thriving business venture called The Pink Oven. Combining her love for baking, her favorite color pink, and an entrepreneurial spirit, Rachel has created a brand that is as vibrant as it is successful. Her journey began in her family’s kitchen at the age of eight, where she first discovered her love for baking. Despite her young age, Rachel’s determination and creativity have propelled her business forward, proving that age is no barrier to success. With the support of her family, particularly her mother Sherry-Ann Jack, who serves as her first investor and business advisor, Rachel has managed to balance her academic responsibilities with her entrepreneurial ambitions. The Pink Oven officially launched five months ago, but Rachel had been baking for friends and family long before that. Her business focuses on creating delightful cupcakes for birthdays and other special occasions, a niche she is deeply passionate about. Rachel’s approach to business is both practical and resilient. She emphasizes the importance of learning from failures and maintaining a positive mindset. Her advice to other young entrepreneurs is to believe in themselves and their unique talents. Rachel’s future aspirations include expanding The Pink Oven into multiple pink-themed stores, offering baking kits and utensils, and even teaching children how to bake. She is also considering a career in accounting to complement her baking business. Rachel’s story is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and a strong support system. As The Pink Oven continues to grow, Rachel’s future looks as bright and promising as the pink frosting on her cupcakes.

Prominent businessman Danny Guerra, along with 14 other individuals, appeared in court for the first time following charges related to the unlawful processing of aggregate without a license from the Ministry of Energy. Guerra, 50, the proprietor of DG Homes and manager of D Guerra Ltd, was among 17 people detained during a significant police operation on October 9. The operation targeted an alleged illegal quarry in Manuel Congo, Guanapo, resulting in the seizure of a multi-million-dollar washplant, trucks, excavators, and other heavy machinery. Guerra’s son, Garvin Guerra, 28, was also among those detained. The group, which includes Carminco Ltd supervisor Hannah Bovell, several truck drivers, and foreign nationals, was granted $50,000 bail on October 11, though three foreign nationals remain in custody due to their inability to access bail. Magistrate Avoinne Gill upheld the existing bail terms. Police informed the court that their investigation remains incomplete, requesting two months for the Director of Public Prosecutions to assign state counsel. Defence attorneys objected to the delay, prompting the court to order interim disclosure by October 24. Volumetric testing of materials from the site is still pending. Attorney Dayadai Harripaul, representing Guerra, indicated her client’s intent to seek High Court relief for the release of seized property, urging the police to return the equipment. The group faces charges under Section 45(1)(a) of the Minerals Act for processing minerals without a license at Lot A, San Carlos Estate, Manuel Congo. The case is set to resume on November 11.

The highly anticipated sale of Trincity Mall has been officially terminated following a series of legal and criminal complications. The government is set to approve a proposal from the consortium of buyers to refund their deposit and associated costs, marking the end of a contentious transaction. The deal, valued at $505 million, was halted in October due to a High Court injunction and an ongoing criminal investigation into the sale of CL Financial (CLF) assets. The consortium, led by prominent businessmen John Aboud and Anthony Rahael, expressed their intent to withdraw from the agreement, citing concerns over the legality and validity of the sale. In a letter dated October 15, attorney Melissa Inglefield, representing the buyers, outlined the reasons for the withdrawal, including reputational risks and operational disruptions. The government, as CLF’s principal creditor, intervened through the Attorney General, seeking to halt the sale amid allegations of irregularities. The injunction was granted just hours before the deal was set to be finalized, raising questions about the transparency of the liquidation process. The liquidators, Grant Thornton, had approved the sale in April, but the transaction faced mounting scrutiny from stakeholders, including CLF shareholders and creditors. The fallout from the failed sale underscores the complexities of liquidating high-value assets and the challenges of maintaining trust in such transactions.

Agostini Ltd has once again postponed the closing date for its acquisition bid of Prestige Holdings Ltd, the local operator of prominent franchises including KFC, TGI Fridays, Subway, and Starbucks. This marks the fourth extension, with the new deadline now set for November 18. The announcement was made public on October 21 through a notice in local newspapers and on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange website. According to the notice, the delay is intended to allow for the completion of all necessary regulatory approvals, particularly the merger application submitted to the TT Fair Trade Commission. The initial share-swap proposal, introduced in June, offered one Agostini share for every 4.8 Prestige Holdings shares. Agostini has committed to purchasing all deposited shares within the timeframe mandated by securities law. The original closing date was July 20, with subsequent extensions pushing the deadline to August 5, September 5, and October 21. Agostini CEO Barry Davis previously cited delays in the share-swap process, attributing them to issues such as misplaced share certificates and the passing of some shareholders. Despite these challenges, Agostini confirmed on September 10 that it had secured the minimum shareholding required to proceed with the takeover.