Executive Member of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and former President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (GCCI) Timothy Tucker, believes Guyana’s growing economy has created ideal conditions for Guyanese to start businesses, pursue side ventures and tap into emerging opportunities across several sectors.
Speaking during an appearance on the Starting Point podcast, Tucker said Guyana is no longer being driven by a single sector but by several industries that are creating demand for new services, new skills, and new entrepreneurs.
“Looking at the market gives greater opportunity to the persons right now. There are so many opportunities,” Tucker said.
He pointed to oil and gas, gold mining, forestry, construction and agriculture as sectors that are generating strong demand for goods, services and labour.
According to Tucker, the oil and gas sector, in particular, has forced local businesses to raise their standards, not only to export, but to compete within Guyana’s changing economy.
“You have the oil and gas industry that is demanding international standards. So, it’s forcing the local manufacturers to raise their game to international standards, not to export, but to compete in the local market,” he explained.
Tucker said that as businesses improve their standards, they require more support services, specialists and suppliers, creating space for entrepreneurs to identify gaps in the market.
He noted that jobs and services such as truck driving, health and safety, quality control, mechanics, electricians, plumbers and general labour are in high demand.
“We see something as simple as truck drivers being a high-demand job at the moment that is paying extremely well,” Tucker said, while also pointing to the construction boom and wider labour shortage in the country.
Tucker believes most Guyanese now have an opportunity either to work in a growing industry, support one, or start a business of their own.
“There’s nothing stopping you from being an entrepreneur,” he said.
He urged persons who may be hesitant to leave full-time employment to start small, keep their day jobs and build side businesses around niche products or services.
“I would say, keep your day job and work that side gig. Everything counts. You’ve got to be able to diversify, look for your niche product or service, and really try to fill the gaps in the market,” Tucker advised.
However, he cautioned that starting a successful business requires research, planning and an understanding of the market. Tucker said private sector businesses in Guyana have not traditionally invested heavily in market research, but that gap itself presents an opportunity for people who can provide those services.
He said businesses must better understand what products and services are needed, while new entrepreneurs can also explore providing market research support to companies.
“There are opportunities all around you. You just have to look for them,” Tucker said.
Drawing from his own experience, Tucker said he started working in his father’s company as a teenager in 1995 and moved through several roles, including office assistant, receptionist, clerk, accounts clerk, pest control technician, supervisor and manager before becoming CEO in 2005.
His family business, Ritterpest, later became the owner of the Orkin franchise in Guyana after crossing its 40-year milestone.
Tucker said one of the greatest lessons he has learned from business is resilience.
“Business has its highs and its lows, and you must press on. You have to press on, no matter what is in front of you,” he said.
