Two Female Entrepreneurs Represent The Bahamas in the Caribbean Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum

June 25, 2012

Ms. Maria-Theresa Kemp, Acting Chargé d’Affaires John Armstrong and Mrs. Natalie Appleyard during a courtesy call at the U.S. Embassy on June 21, 2012. (Photo State Dept.)

On Thursday, June 21, Ms. Maria-Theresa Kemp and Mrs. Natalie Appleyard paid a courtesy call on the Acting Chargé d’Affaires John Armstrong at the U.S. Embassy to share highlights from their participation in the Caribbean Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum held in Washington D.C. which was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Women's Issues. 

In recognition of the important role entrepreneurship plays in empowering women and fueling stronger economies, the conference brought together women from around the Caribbean from March 11 to 13, 2012 to share strategies for expanding their businesses at the small or medium sized enterprise (SME) level.  The conference ended with a commitment to establish the Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs Network with the goal of strengthening the voice, visibility and viability of women-led businesses in the Caribbean through advocacy, training, networking, identifying and sharing best practices.

Ms. Kemp is the owner and operator of Holy Farms, a commercial farm on New Providence specializing in the production of seasonal fruits, culinary and medicinal herbs.  Her organic herbs are used by The Bahamas’ top chefs and her farm was featured on Martha Stewart’s television show.  Mrs. Appleyard is the CEO of Wildflowers serving both the rapidly growing high-end destination wedding industry as well as corporate groups holding meetings in The Bahamas.