National

Aliv Teams Up SBDC To Spotlight Local Businesses

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Small business owners across the island received an early holiday lift Friday through the joint initiative, which brings ALIV Business and the SBDC directly into local storefronts.

Published

4 months ago

December 5, 2025

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamian micro, small, and medium-sized businesses are getting a seasonal boost as ALIV Business and the Small Business Development Centre launch a holiday road tour, visiting MSMEs across New Providence to encourage local spending, promote entrepreneurship, and circulate more dollars into the community during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.

Small business owners across the island received an early holiday lift Friday through the joint initiative, which brings ALIV Business and the SBDC directly into local storefronts. During each visit, teams purchase products, sample services, interact with customers, and spotlight entrepreneurs through digital and community features.

One of today’s stops was Roots Kava Lounge, a non-alcoholic social space offering natural beverages and a relaxed environment. It’s one of several businesses receiving hands-on support this month.

Jennifer Basden, Head of B2B Marketing at ALIV Business, says the tour was designed to show appreciation for the companies that support them year-round and to help those entrepreneurs continue to grow.

So far, the tour has made stops at EV Motors, Duck Donuts, and now Roots Kava Lounge, with more planned throughout December. Beyond documenting the visits, teams are buying coffee, merchandise, and capturing digital content to boost online visibility.

From the SBDC’s perspective, Marketing and Communications Lead Alexia Johnson says the in-person visits help deepen understanding of client needs while strengthening a partnership rooted in sustainable business growth.

During the stop, Roots Kava Lounge owner Randy Butler Jr. shared how meaningful the support has been, noting that the SBDC played a key role in bringing his business to life and expressing gratitude for the exposure and encouragement.