Caribbean BETA 2011 Opening Keynote: Michelle Messina – “The Entrepreneurial Mindset. What does it take?”

Caribbean BETA’s first speaker Michelle Messina of GuideWireGroup, Silicon Valley, USA addressed those in attendance about how to develop profitable business models, the problems associated with being an entrepreneur, becoming a better entrepreneur, marketing your ideas and achieving your goals more quickly.

One of the first    points stressed was the need for having a “Supportive Ecosystem” and access to funding, grants available to help startups get off the ground. People who care about what you do and are willing to help you along your way.

She advises that “Socializing Ideas” is the first step to moving your product from idea to business. One must first talk to the market (via market research and focus groups) before trying to sell your product. The importance of getting a diversity of perspective was also stressed “the best connections you can make are these kinds of connections”.

Michelle Messina’s Top 10/15 Tips for Becoming a Better Entrepreneur:

– Listen to Everyone. Follow No One.

– Ideas are Cheap. Execution is Core.

– Timing is Everything (Act NOW not Later).

– Surround yourself with supporters

– Go Big or Go Home

– Toughness in not obsolete. Nor is diplomacy

– Pain is inevitable. Suffering is Optional

– Diversify your team with women.

– Be the face of the company

– 80% Can be Sufficient. Sometimes

– Fail Fast. Fail Frequently (take risks and learn from them)

– The World is Flat. Truly (it is easy to reach great distances)

– Gravity is in Full Effect (“What goes up, must come down” so always have a Plan B)

– Do Something. Do Something that Matters.

Interesting fact: The fastest growing group of entrepreneurs is Women.

Up Next: PANEL: “How I Did it. Success stories from Caribbean Tech Entrepreneurs”