095: The Rise of Veekle: Jamaica's Latest Peer-to-Peer Car Rental Platform | Cherie Williams

In this episode, we are with Cherie Williams, a Jamaican entrepreneur living in the United States, who has identified a billion-dollar market opportunity in the Caribbean car rental industry through her startup, Veekle. Williams shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the US while balancing being a mother of four. She discusses the challenges and milestones of launching Veekle, a peer-to-peer car rental platform aimed at revolutionizing car rentals in the Caribbean and potentially other developing regions. Williams emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and a supportive community in entrepreneurship. The discussion also covers the significance of MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), the power of pitch competitions, and strategies for overcoming setbacks. Williams' story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of passion, perseverance, and adaptability in turning innovative ideas into successful businesses. Highlights: 01:59 Guest Spotlight: From Jamaica to a Billion-Dollar Vision 03:48 Cherie Williams' Journey: Education, Entrepreneurship, and Empowerment 08:03 The Birth of Veekle: Revolutionizing Car Rentals in the Caribbean 12:25 Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities Amidst the Pandemic 32:41 Pitching Veekle: Strategy, Storytelling, and Scaling Up 37:01 Future Plans and Expansion: Building a Caribbean-wide Network 39:19 Diving Deep into Financial Modeling and Target Markets 40:05 Tourism Trends and Business Viability 40:53 The Art of Pitching and Seeking Investment 44:54 Expanding Horizons: Beyond the Caribbean 47:03 Navigating the Challenges of a Startup 01:03:13 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Resilience and Learning 01:11:39 Closing Thoughts: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Contact Cherie Williams: LinkedIn: Cherie Williams, CPA, MBA Instagram: @iamcheriewilliams Find out more about Veekle: LInkedIn: Veekle™ Facebook: facebook.com/justveekle Instagram: @justveekle Twitter: @justveekle