Dennon Lewis is the General Manager of the MasterClass Institute, Sales Director at SocialRank Media and Co-founder of the Privileged Clothing Brand. He also achieved first place in the ScotiaBank Live Pitch Competition 2017. He is the thought leader behind the Sales Leadership Masterclass and serves as a Key Strategic Partner in the Digital Guyana Initiative, having partnered with the Ministry of the Presidency – Department of Youth to host digital training programmes across Guyana. In addition to serving as the local subsidiary of a global apparel company, he is also a certified mentor, coach, trainer, and public speaker through the world-renowned organization, FranklinCovey.

This 27-year-old- is also very actively involved in Youth work being a member or affiliate of many youth organisations in Guyana as he continues to be an advocate for youth development and entrepreneurship. He believes that by continuing to build and develop personally, he will become more effective in using what he has learned to inspire those around him. He believes that networking is key in capacity and opportunity building and thus uses every opportunity he receives to network and build relations with those he meets.

His passion for national development and more specifically youth development continues to show through all his efforts and accomplishments.

1. How did you arrive at the idea for your business?

I saw a need within the industry and being resourceful pulled together the elements necessary to serve that need.

2. What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?

A key driver was me wanting to be different, to do something different and by doing that, show others that everything is possible.

3. What is your greatest challenge being an entrepreneur?

Keeping up to the ever-going changes in the business eco-system, as an entrepreneur, we always have to be on the lookout, observing new trends, interests and directions. This is vital to the survival, stability and overall success of the business.

4. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

Though many, one of the most satisfying moment for me was making that first sale, I see it as me proving my own concept of being able to create something of value to the world, for people to genuinely reach out and buy what you have created.

5. What piece of advice would you give to other young people who want to become entrepreneurs?

Understand the industry you are getting into, be sure to study the market, know the players and always plan further than your current stage. That way you and the business continue to evolve and become something bigger than you could have imagined.

6. How do you define success?

Success for me, as an entrepreneur is being able to scale, to remove yourself either totally or partially from the necessary process to generate income. It’s designing a system that allows money, your money and initial investment to work for you. This then gives you the ability, freedom and hopefully resource to do what inspires you even more, that major thing that you are passionate about and if it’s your business then this will enable you to franchise or develop new areas.

As an individual, success for me is achieving self-transcendence. To be able to transfer your own thoughts, knowledge, wisdom and abilities to those around you and empowering them to achieve various levels of success.

7. Who has been your greatest inspiration?

One of my greatest inspiration in business has been the story of Jordan Belfort, though very controversial, it taught me the power of selling. The ability to impact, persuade or direct an individual or conversation. This used ethically can be the secret sauce to your success. As the author Daniel Pink would say “To Sell Is Human”.