Mindset for Success conference attracts over 50 participants

Jan 18, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – More than 50 participants benefited from a one-day certification workshop and conference titled, ‘Reshaping Your Mindset for Success’, hosted by prominent U.S.-based Guyanese figure Reverend Dr. Joy-Agness of Joy Events International.

The event, aimed at motivating young entrepreneurs to elevate both their business outlook and personal mindset, was held on Monday at the World Trade Centre on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

The conference brought together 55 participants and was designed to inspire, educate and empower entrepreneurs, professionals and visionaries to push beyond their limits and confidently walk in their purpose.

Attendees were exposed to a diverse panel of speakers, including Head of the Diaspora Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rosalinda Rasul; Sales and Marketing Director of the Ramada Princess Hotel, Petal Ridley; Selwyn Collins; Evie Gucharin; Dr. Linda Felix-Johnson; Wesley Kirton; and keynote speaker Preston Bailey. Throughout the sessions, speakers emphasized the importance of dedication, hard work and maintaining a strong support network.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, Reverend Dr. Joy-Agness highlighted the purpose behind the conference and the inspiration that fueled its creation. She explained that the event focused on internal growth, noting that success begins with mindset and develops through passion and focus.

“Growth starts from the inside out. It’s a thought, I’m thinking of this, then it becomes a passion, and then there’s focus. Now, when you’re passionate about something, you’re going to give it your all, and once you’re going to give it your all, you become focused, because you don’t want that passion to die. You don’t want things to go haywire, so you’re going to definitely work towards it. And this is what you do,” she explained.

Agness further encouraged participants to remain resilient and seek support when challenges arise. “This conference is about pushing people to the next level, making sure that everything is okay, and don’t ever feel that, oh, I can do it. And if something happens, I can’t do it, I’m putting my hands down. Find somebody that’s going to help you to get up, stand up and make it happen,” she said.

Reflecting on past successes, she shared that two entrepreneurs emerged from her first Guyana conference in 2017 and expressed hope to see even greater outcomes in the future. She also revealed plans to host another conference in Guyana in March 2025.

Meanwhile, Head of the Diaspora Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rosalinda Rasul underscored the importance of understanding one’s unique path to success. She cautioned participants against pursuing dreams that belong to others, stressing that individual purpose and personal development are key foundations for meaningful achievement. “You’re structured differently. It means that your path and your purpose is different. So sometimes you have to be cautious, when you’re chasing success, that you’re not chasing a dream or a vision that belongs to someone else, but rather it should be yours,” she advised.

Petal Ridley followed with a presentation focused on building a strong foundation for success. She highlighted the importance of aligning goals with purpose, practicing social graces and protocol, and committing to continuous learning. Ridley also outlined the SMART approach to goal-setting—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound—sharing personal experiences to demonstrate how these principles shaped her professional journey.

“What am I speaking to people about? My thoughts immediately went to if you’re reshaping your mindset for success, we have to start with foundation,” she said.

The third speaker, Evie Gucharin, a leader in the technology sector, shared an empowering message focused on individuality and purpose. Gucharin, who works extensively with youth, women, and micro and small enterprises across Guyana and the Caribbean, is the founder of Tropical Transitions Inc. and Java Coffee Bar Inc., and serves as the chapter lead for Girls in Tech, where she champions STEM education and robotics for girls and women.

During her presentation, she emphasized that success is deeply personal and cannot be copied, urging participants to resist the temptation to replicate someone else’s journey. Building on earlier discussions, she highlighted the importance of making intentional personal decisions and cultivating meaningful relationships along the path to success.

“On the road to success, the relationships you build will help you make those decisions. Success is personal, it cannot be emulated. You cannot look at another person’s success and say, that’s who I’m going to be,” she said.

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• Joy Events International, Joy-Agness, mindset, Mindset for Success, success

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