ST. CROIX — Women in Business VI & Caribbean Inc. will host its Skills2Profit Bazaar on Saturday, November 22, with keynote speaker Dr. Kisha Christian joining graduates of the 12-week Skills2Profit Program for a public marketplace and showcase of women’s entrepreneurship at the Sydney Lee Theatre.
The event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sydney Lee Theatre and marks the culmination of an intensive training initiative aimed at turning local talent into viable small businesses.
The Skills2Profit Bazaar serves as the finale to the WIBVIC Skills2Profit Program, which was held at Sunny Isle Baptist Church. Over the past three months, participants received mentoring, attended workshops, strengthened financial and digital literacy, developed business plans, and refined products and services. The Bazaar will be their first major public showcase, offering space for demonstrations, sales, and real-time engagement with the community.
This year’s event will be hosted by Laura Forbes, Chief Pharmacist at Juan Luis Hospital and host of the Live with Laura show. The keynote address will be delivered by Christian, founder and owner of Neighborhood Pharmacy. Christian is recognized as a leading healthcare professional, philanthropist, and award-winning businesswoman, previously honored with the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award and Cardinal Health’s national Ken Wurster Community Leadership Award. Her message will focus on resilience, entrepreneurship, and the value of community-centered business models.
A special feature of the Bazaar will be the debut of Island Glow Candles, a Caribbean-inspired candle line created by the Next Gen CEO Shark Tank Winners, students from the summer youth entrepreneurship program at St. Croix Central High School. The Bazaar will mark the teen entrepreneurs’ first major marketplace launch.
Women in Business VI & Caribbean Inc. is encouraging the public to attend and support the Skills2Profit graduates and the young entrepreneurs. Organizers say community participation directly helps “fuel the dreams of women and youth across the Virgin Islands and strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem of our island.”
The 2025 Skills2Profit Program is being supported by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI), DIAGEO USVI, Sunny Isle Baptist Church, and Starlight Promotions. Reflecting on the program’s journey, Founding Executive Director Ruth King-Chaseau said, “every step of this program has been guided by God’s hand. His faithfulness has opened doors, strengthened our women, and reminded us that with God all things are possible.”
