The Tribune

The Bahamas Striping Group of Companies (BSGC) has been honoured with the Nassau Institute’s Freedom Award for Entrepreneurship.

The award was presented to the group, which has expanded significantly since its creation with a $5,000 “self-starter” grant from the government, at The University of The Bahamas (UB) Choices Restaurant.

“We were impressed by how they pulled themselves up from their bootstraps, put in the labour and made a success out of their dreams,” said Rick Lowe, president of the think-tank that promotes economic growth based on principles of a free market economy and limited government.

Typically, the Nassau Institute’s directors select winners from a 20 to 25-strong list of entrepreneurs, Mr Lowe said. It did things a little differently for the 2019 award.

“Rather than make it a competition, the directors decided to make the process more selective by researching the companies ourselves from the information available to us in the public domain and then conducting our own personal interviews,” Mr Lowe explained. “During the interview they just blew us away. There was no need to dig further. They are the full package.”

Now a multi-million dollar enterprise, the group takes its name from its first business line, Bahamas Striping. It also includes Airport Maintenance Services, which specialises in all aspects of airport maintenance; Caribbean Pavement Solutions, a regional distributor for cold patch mix; Bahamas Themed Photography, a company specialising in high-end digital imaging services; and two property development and management companies, Abaco Caribbean and Atillio Holdings.

“Known for its corporate social responsibility, Bahamas Striping Group of Companies has never eschewed an opportunity to be charitable just because it’s small. Its level of community involvement rivals that of larger companies with greater financial resources,” said Nassau Institute director, DeCosta Bethel, in presenting the group’s president, Atario Mitchell, with the award.

“Perhaps there is no coincidence that the company known for giving abundantly is headquartered on Abundant Life Road. Indeed, Mr Mitchell and Mr Sturrup genuinely seek to make a difference year-round.”

The Nassau Institute award recognises leaders in entrepreneurship who have outstanding vision, dedication and commitment to excellence. “We will continue to do our part in making this country better, safer and stronger,” said Mr Mitchell in accepting the honour.

The presentation took place at the start of the fourth annual Joan Thompson Memorial Freedom Lecture Series, sponsored by the Templeton Foundation in collaboration with the banking, economics and finance department - and the economics society - of The University of The Bahamas.

Dr Richard Ebeling delivered a presentation on why the global economy needs more freedom and less government. He argued that current anti-globalisation sentiments and government policies threaten to slow down, and possibly reverse, the trend towards growing prosperity for all of humanity.

Tariff wars, increased government regulation and intensified immigration barriers will hinder the continued progress of everyone, especially the poorest in the world, he said.