Alfred Courtney, the winner of the first episode of The Canoe Race, is urging young entrepreneurs to take small steps when starting their business ventures.
Courtney, who secured first place in the competition, advocates for the mindset of “Yumi stat smol” – meaning “start small.” He encourages aspiring business owners to avoid aiming too high from the beginning.
“My advice is to think small and start small. When you think too big at first, the first step becomes hard to take. I started with just two tents, five chairs, and tables, but I believed in myself. I knew I would grow in the long run,” he explained.
Courtney runs a rental business for event equipment, a market where many competitors already exist. However, he stresses the importance of differentiating oneself in the business world.
“Before I started, there were other businesses hiring out tents and tables, but the key is to stand out. You need to be different from others,” he added.
The Canoe Race: A Platform for Entrepreneurial Growth
Courtney participated in The Canoe Race in February, where he impressed the judges with his vision for business growth and his entrepreneurial mindset. He described the competition as a brainstorming event that encourages participants to think creatively.
“This show is a great opportunity for young people and entrepreneurs. Once you hop into the canoe, your mindset changes. You begin to generate new business ideas and see things through the lens of an entrepreneur,” he said.
In an interview with VBTC, Courtney urged others to continue developing their business ideas, stressing the importance of persistence and creativity. He also encouraged future entrepreneurs to participate in the next season of The Canoe Race, where they will have the chance to invest in their business with the prize money while gaining valuable knowledge throughout the competition.
Canoe Race Results
The Canoe Race competition featured nine contestants, with the top three winning substantial cash prizes:
- First place – Alfred Courtney, VT2 million
- Second place – Irene Abbock, VT600,000
- Third place – Lorine Russel and Gilbert Kitkit, VT150,000 each
Courtney’s win serves as a testament to the value of starting small, thinking strategically, and staying committed to long-term growth in the business world.
