Andrew Rutnik, Commissioner of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, told a group of entrepreneural women this week that he understood the trials of trying to get a business license in the V.I.
Rutnik addressed a capacity crowd of the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET) Roundtable at Marriott Frenchman's Reef. He spoke on compliance issues related to doing business in the Virgin Islands.
Many of the women in attendance have either recently begun their own business or are about to begin the licensing process. Rutnik shared tips to make licensing easier.
"I know how time consuming getting a business license can be," Rutnik said, recounting his own experience as an entrepreneur. He said he is streamlining his office to make the licensing application process easier and friendlier. "Our vision is to do a better job. We will soon be able to give better service, accept credit cards and to validate checks immediately. This will cut down on a lot of the time consuming steps now required."
The first step, the most significant change for his office, said Rutnik, is the new web page, www.usvi.org/dcla, scheduled to be online soon.
He said applicants will be able to download applications, thereby eliminating the trip to the Sub Base office to pick up an application, the first step in the licensing process.
The Women's Network is a national program sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
It was recently launched in the Virgin Islands in conjunction with New Image Foundation Corporation, a program preparing women to enter the competitive work force. The program focuses on image, personal power, self-confidence and projecting a professional image.
Cynthia Jerry, executive director of New Image Foundation and host for the WNET Roundtable, said, "We are pleased to have the WNET program in the Virgin Islands. Carl Christensen, project director for SBA, and I have worked for over a year and a half to put the program in place."
She also announced the Virgin Islands Women's Business Center mid-year conference will be held at at Divi Casino on St. Croix April 13 through 15.
The conference is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the St. Croix Foundation, a group committed to improving the quality of life on St. Croix and in the Virgin Islands. "The SBA administration in Washington, D.C. has been very supportive and helped enormously. We are also grateful for the business women in our community who have embraced the program, " Jerry said.
WNET meets the third Wednesday of each month, alternating evenings and luncheons. For information on WNET or the St. Croix conference call Cynthia Jerry, executive director, New Image Foundation, at 777-8883.
