TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………… Page 4

Aim and Objectives ……………………………………………………………………... Page 5

Data Collection……………………………………………………………………………Page 6

Review of Industry ……………………………………………………………………… Page 8

Presentation of Data

Name and Description of Venture…………………………………………………. Page 11

Background of the Entrepreneur Prior To Starting The Venture…………………... Page 12

Characteristics of the Entrepreneur………………………………………………… Page 13

Origin of the Venture………………………………………………………………. Page 14

Industry and Market Description………………………………………………….... Page 15

Key Historical Events in the Start and Existence of the Venture……………………Page 16

Present State of Venture…………………………………………………………….. Page 17

Major Present and Future Challenges and Emerging Opportunities…………………Page 18

Impact of Self ……………………………………………………………………………..Page 19

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………… Page 20

Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………. Page 21

Person Interviewed

Publication

Websites

Appendices……………………………………………………………………………….. Page 23

Sample Questionnaire……………………………………………………………. Page 23

Pictures………………………………………………………………………........ Page 27

INTRODUCTION

This SBA is based on an investigation of the entrepreneurial aspects of Hexagon Chemical Ltd. I

chose to do manufacturing because it is more interesting than other topics and it also offered a

challenge to me because it is a field I have never done and investigation into. This SBA seeks to

explore an investigation into the relationship between the entrepreneurial mindset, process,

creativity and innovation of Mr. Steven Mustaq Ramatally who is the Director of Hexagon

Chemical Ltd. They manufacture a variety of products such as vegetable oil, bay rum, nail polish

remover and house hold disinfectants.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Aim:

An investigation into the relationship between the entrepreneurial mindset, process, creativity

and innovation.

Objectives:

1. To understand the entrepreneurial process

2. To recognize the importance of entrepreneurs

3. Identify the profiles of entrepreneurs and their role in the economic growth

DATA COLLECTION

The method of investigation that was used in conducting this research was both primary

and secondary. The questionnaire comprised of both open ended and close ended questions.

Open ended questions were used because they have no limits or responses to them and acquire

more information. Close ended questions were used because they are easy to answer and it saves

time. I obtained secondary data from websites and old newspaper articles.

In order to collect data for my investigative research of Hexagon Chemical Ltd I used two forms

of data collection which were;

1. An interview which is defined as- “a meeting of people face to face, especially for

consultation”.

2. A questionnaire can be defined as- “a set of printed or written questions with a choice of

answers, devised for the purposes of a survey or statistical study”.

An interview was conducted with the Director of Hexagon Chemicals Ltd on the Saturday 6th

February 2016. Prior to conducting the interview a letter from the school Fyzabad Secondary

School was faxed to the interviewee indicating that I am a form six student conducting an

interview in accordance with the criteria of CXC, for my CAPE SBA.

An interview was chosen because it is face to face communication which allowed me to view the

facial expression of the interviewee when an asked question, also a questionnaire was given to

the entrepreneur. The questionnaire was chosen as type of data collection to use as a guide

throughout the interview which helped to eliminate misunderstanding as a limitation and to keep

the flow of the interview.

During the process of the interview there were limitations encountered such as:

A member of my group was late closely to the end of the interview which caused a

distraction to both the interviewee and other group members.

A tour of the factory was politely declined because of our footwear.

The interviewee was also distracted by his cell phone on multiple occasions.

The continuous coming and going of workers was also a limitation.

REVIEW OF INDUSTRY

The industry being studied is the Manufacturing Industry. There is a number of

manufacturing sector/industries in Trinidad and Tobago but the largest ranked sector is the

food and beverage sector as stated on economywatch.com “this sector employs more than

10,000 people and contributes significantly to reducing this country's food import bill.” The

biggest problem facing the manufacturing industry stated by Trinidad and Tobago’s

Manufacturing Association (TTMA) President Nicholas Lok Jack in an interview with the

Express newspaper is “the supply and availability of workers causing a shortage of labour

with the space to employ a higher number of workers.”

The manufacturing industry employed in 2013 a sum of thirty thousand workers ranking

them the second highest employment sector after the government. The TTMA has taken steps

to aid in the growth of the manufacturing industry because with a higher level of productivity

in this sector Trinidad and Tobago can start exporting more and saving millions from

importing because we would be producing same products we import.

The two figures (F1 and F2) below depict information gather from the World Bank on the Manufacturing Statistics of Trinidad and Tobago from the year 1990-2012 with total revenue earned in US currency.

F1.

F2.

Indicator Name ValueManufacturing, value added (current US$) 1,026,063,144Food, beverages and tobacco (% of value added in manufacturing)

11.1

Textiles and clothing (% of value added in manufacturing)

0.60

Other manufacturing (% of value added in manufacturing)

49.4

Machinery and transport equipment (% of value added in manufacturing)

0.27

Chemicals (% of value added in manufacturing)

38.7

PRESENTATION OF REPORT

NAME AND DESCRIPTION OF VENTURE

The official business name is Hexagon Chemical Limited which is located #96 Naranjit Trace,

Mon Desir, South Oropouche, Trinidad and Tobago this venture a family owned and run

business. Hexagon Chemical Ltd is a Manufacturer, Trading, Retail distributor, Import/Export

Company who distribute to CARICOM islands. They produce agriculture and food products,

chemicals and household produce. The vision of the company is to grow and expand and be fully

automated in any decision regarding the business whether it is local or international. The

company’s mission is to satisfy the needs and wants of the customers by providing a high quality

product at a reasonable and competitive price. The company’s core values are to have a close

working relationship with employees and produce high quality products. The venture is twenty-

six years of age and currently houses twenty-three employees.

BACKGROUND OF THE ENTREPRENEUR PRIOR TO STARTING

VENTURE

The entrepreneur Mr. Steven Ramatally is forty-three years of age. To better understand the

business sector of the company Mr. Ramatally pursued his MBA at the University of The West

Indies. Hexagon chemical limited is family oriented business; Mr. Ramatally’s parents began the

venture, as a child he would go to the factory with his parents and observed how they operated

and managed the venture on seeing how happy his parent were inspired him to become an

entrepreneur and take over as the Director of the business after his studies. His aspirations for the

company are for continuity in growth and expansion. He would also like the business to develop

more in the exporting sector and use this venture as stepping stone to diversify into other

venture.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ENTREPRENEUR

Mr. Steven Ramatally characteristics showed his ideals are to further his growth as a business

owner and further grow and expand his business to be fully automated in both regional and

international trade. Mr. Ramatally is not only known as a business man in his community but

also a helping hand to families in need. After offering one of his unused furnished home to be

temporarily use by a family of two whose home was destroyed by a fire in 2012.The man and

his eight year old son had to continue living in one of the rooms that was not burnt away, without

basic kitchen and household appliance and utilities. Mr. Ramatally also displayed characteristics

such as:

Committed to tasks

Goal oriented

Honest with strong morals and principle

Team builder and

Problem solver

ORIGIN OF THE VENTURE

Hexagon Chemical Limited was started by Mr. Steven Ramatally’s parents in the early 1990’s to

meet specific a demand in the market for household products that was not being produce highly

in that period and to provide a unique product to consumers, until Mr. Ramatally was of age and

educated to take over the venture from his parents.

INDUSTRYAND MARKET DESCRIPTION

Hexagon Chemical Limited falls under the Manufacturing Industry. The venture belongs to the

secondary sector it is also under the expanding and maturity stage of the industry life cycle. The

company was established in the early 1990’s and they have become one of the Caribbean’s high

ranking manufactures of agriculture, food and household products in the Caribbean with the

trade name Royalty. Hexagon Chemical has a vast amount of products such as: soya oil, mustard

oil, edible vegetable oil, glacial acetic acid, rubbing alcohol (methylated spirit), acetone, grease

proof paper, and laundry soap, parboil rice, and various disinfectants. They have approximately

twenty-three employees with the head of the company Mr. Ramatally. Hexagon Chemical

Limited does not segment hence it faces the risk of wasting raw materials and labour. The

company does not have a specific target market but their products are sold to CARICOM nation,

retailers and the general public. The main competitor is the Coconut Growers Association (CGA)

because of certain political affiliations which was not discussed in-depth also some competing

product are coconut, soya and vegetable oil, and disinfectant produced by other competing

manufactures.

KEY HISTORICAL EVENTS IN THE START AND EXISTENCE OF THE

VENTURE

One key historical event in the existence of Hexagon Chemical Ltd is being the first household

product manufactures to open its doors in the community of South Oropouche, Trinidad which

can be classed as the launch of a new market also their expansion into agriculture and food was

another historical event. While one negative set back that occurred from the beginning of the

venture was Mr. Ramatally, encountered problems receiving government issued permits to

continue his trading activities.

PRESENT STATE OF VENTURE

Presently Hexagon Chemicals has achieved the goals that was set out which were, growth,

profitability and maintenance of a particular lifestyle for the entrepreneur. Some strengths of the

business has to be the managerial capability because Mr. Ramatally allows his employees to give

feedback on the innovation and implementation of new product which show Mr. Ramatally is a

very democratic leader and has no decision marking problems with his venture another strength

with Hexagon Chemicals Ltd is their brand name Royalty. One weakness of the venture is that in

modern times such as these a website was not found the business.

MAJOR PRESENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES AND EMERGING

OPPORTUNITIES

Currently the problems facing Hexagon Chemical Ltd is the case of globalization and high level

of crime.

An opportunity that emerged was a partnership with another company but it was not accepted

because Hexagon Chemical was not in the position they wanted to be as a business at the time.

Emerging opportunities that were noted in the interview was a partnership with an international

company that was not mentioned by the interviewee. The current recession has caused the

business owner to be more cautious on the amount of raw materials bought and produce and how

and when he borrows money from the bank or investors.

IMPACT OF SELF

Doing the research for this SBA has given me an acceptance to how an entrepreneur is

important; it has also helped me to grow a stronger respect for entrepreneurs and helped me to

see from their perspective. This research has been eye opening to the procedures of how

entrepreneurs begin their business venture it has also shown me that nothing comes easy that

hard work is always the key to success and the key to greater happiness. The research done has

also been very informative for my future aspiration by showing me how I should go about

opening my own law firm and also a child relief centre. I was also awestruck by the drive and

passion Mr. Ramatally had for his business, which has inspired me to also do the same when I

am in his position as a business owner.

CONCLUSION

This SBA is focused on the entrepreneurial aspects of Hexagon Chemical Ltd. The research I did

aid me in comprehending what is needed to become an entrepreneur and also the process that is

required to begin and maintain a venture. It also showed me why entrepreneur are important to

the economy because they create new business’s by producing new goods and services, which

result in new job opportunities, entrepreneurs are wealth generators while existing companies

have to redistribute the wealth and resources the company already has and entrepreneurs also

attribute to social change by breaking away from the traditional way of doing things.

The main problem faced by the company is their main competitor the Coconut Growers

Association, which can be seen as normal because without competition entrepreneurs would not

be innovative. I recommend that the company continue to produce unique and high quality

product at reasonable prices for buyers also introduce segmentation because it would help to

evaluate the amount of raw material needed and who the company is going to produce the

product for they should also create a website where persons can find information about them and

their products. The business should also advance into advertising their business and products

more through different mediums such as the use of; billboards, newspapers, radio, and television.

This will help draw more attention and customers. In conclusion this research has broadened my

analytical skills and the way I thought of entrepreneurs.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Person Interviewed-

Mr. Steven Ramatally

Publication-

Wilson S. (2013). Dad, son offered temporary home . Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

Newspaper. 

Book-

Maharaj, N, Sanichar, B, Mootoo, R. (2015). Fundamentals in Entrepreneurship.

San- Fernando: Genesis Book Publishers.

Hall, D., Jones, R., Raffo, C., Chambers, I., & Gray, D. (2004). Business Studies.

London: Pearson Education.

Dransfield, R, Scott Thompson, M, Caribbean Examinations Council. (2014).

Management of Business CAPE Unit 1 CXC Study Guide. Oxford, United Kingdom:

Oxford University Press.

Websites-

Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturing Association (TTMA)

URL: http://www.ttma.com/business-development/facts-about-manufacturing/

Oxford Business Group

URL:http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/trinidad-and-tobago-holds-notable-

benefits-industry-and-manufacturers-are-increasingly-looking

ECONOMYWATCH CONTENT. (March 31 st, 2010). Trinidad and Tobago

Industry Sectors. Retrieved March 20 th, 2016, from

http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/trinidad-and-tobago/industry-

sector-industries.html

Resnick, N. (April 22nd, 2014). 5 Key Characteristics Every Entrepreneur Should

Have. Entrepreneur. Retrieved March 10 th, 2016, from

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/232991

APPENDICES

Sample Questionnaire

Name and description of the business venture

1. Official Business Name:

2. Vision:

3. Mission:

4. Core Values:

5. Age Of Business:

6. Number Of Employees:

7. Nature Of Venture:

Background - Bio-data

8. What is your name? :

9. What is your age? :

10.What is your level of education? :

11.What work experience do/did you gain :

12.How did your family Influence you to begin this business? :

13.What influence/ tradition did your culture have on the business development? :

14.What are your aspirations for the business?

15. Do you have any special aptitudes: Yes No

16.Would you consider yourself to hold any of these:

Traits/Characteristics Yes NoCommitted to tasksProactive attitudeDetermination to succeed Goal OrientedProblem solverFeedback SeekerUse said feedback to improve situationsAble to make positive decision even in doubt Deals with failure and setbacks effectively Ability to influence other Reliable Honest with strong morals and principles Team builder Energetic Creative and Innovative Able to conceptualize issues Emotional intelligence

Origin of the Venture- Conceptualization

17.Why was the Venture started?

Was it to meet a specific demand on the market? Yes No

To provide a unique product to consumers? Yes No

To exploit opportunities e.g. Government initiative (e.g. Subsidies) new international market

To fulfil a dream you always had?

To continue on a family tradition

To utilize a skill you had acquired throughout you time in the venture?

It is just something you enjoy. If yes state why.

To maintain a particular lifestyle you were accustom to?