The Anguilla Youth Business Foundation (AYBF) brought entrepreneurial energy to Innovate Anguilla on Saturday, 22nd November 2025, as the island joined more than 200 countries in marking Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2025. This year’s global theme, “Together We Build,” echoed throughout the venue, where dozens of local entrepreneurs transformed the grounds into a vibrant hub of craft, innovation, and community.
The expo – held both indoors and outdoors – featured a diverse mix of businesses, ranging from handmade crafts and specialty foods to beauty services and fine art. Throughout the day, residents and visitors browsed homemade pastries, fresh beverages, crocheted clothing, jewellery, décor, toys and more, each stall reflecting the growing creativity and determination of Anguilla’s small business owners.
Among the standout displays was Hooked by Dove, owned by crochet artist Verrerlyne Bruno-Mason, whose table was filled with handmade plush animals, dolls, keychains, and even crocheted earrings. For Bruno-Mason, crochet has always been more than a pastime.
“This is my farm,” she explained, gesturing proudly to her colourful creations. “So if you ever need a custom order, a custom plushie or keychain, you can contact us.”
She shared that her relationship with crochet began in childhood. “All of this started off as work when I was going to school because we would crochet and sell them to buy our school books during the summer,” she said. “I stopped doing it for a while and then picked it up again as an adult, and it was a hobby. Until I decided, maybe I should move my hobby into a business.” Bruno-Mason officially launched Hooked by Dove in 2021 and has been steadily building her customer base.
Fine art also had a strong presence at the expo. Anna Lynch, an emerging artist, and student of the Ani Art Academy displayed intricate pointillism pieces, both in black-and-white and in colour, alongside prints, greeting cards and ceramic coasters.
Lynch has been pursuing art professionally for about four years, though her passion stretches back much further. “I did art in school,” she noted. “But obviously, I’m still very young, so I haven’t really had time to be doing it as a job.”
Beauty and self-care also took centre stage. Jemila Morson-Hodge, whose beauty business, Chateau Allure Beauty, drew steady foot traffic throughout the event, said her journey into entrepreneurship began unexpectedly.
“I started it on accident. I didn’t intend to have a beauty business,” she admitted. “I was just looking for some solutions for myself, specifically because I have acrylic and gel allergies… I found, after searching in China, some things that actually work for me. And I started wearing them. And people would ask about it. Over time, I started to think – maybe there’s a market for this.”
Morson-Hodge launched her business in March 2023, officially making this her second year of operations. Known for her customised lash products and do-it-yourself kits, she also offers in-person services and on-site tutorials. “We had people do their own lashes today, which was great,” she said. “A few ladies got to learn how to do their lashes. I think I’ve converted a few non-lash wearers.”
Her brand continues to expand. The business plans to release a skincare line in December. She also highlighted the role her creative background plays in her business. “I’m a graphic designer a little bit, and a brand strategist. So I was able to come up with my own branding and send it to the vendors. Then they customised it to my liking.”
Morson-Hodge currently operates from the Tea Box Lounge complex in South Hill and operates on an appointment basis.
I, too, became one of her conversions, after sampling her products during a hands-on tutorial. She carefully explained lash types, lengths and application techniques, and the end result left me unexpectedly impressed – and officially added to the growing ranks of lash enthusiasts.
As Global Entrepreneurship Week wrapped up, events like this year’s expo highlighted the resilience and ingenuity of Anguilla’s small business community. From art and accessories to beauty services and handmade keepsakes, the expo demonstrated that innovation is thriving on the island – and that building together truly starts at home.
By Janissa Fleming