The economic aspect of Carnival is multifaceted, and for micro and small enterprises, the season is ripe with opportunity.
While big bandleaders and party promoters have long ago figured out ways to profit, there is also room for the creative and determined small businessperson many of whom provide important skills-based services.
These include everything from fashion designing to bartending to party bus offerings.
Some, however, are not thriving as others despite 2023 being dubbed “The Mother of All Carnivals.”
According to those who spoke to the Business Guardian some entities continue to feel the financial crunch due to COVID even after two years coupled with other negative factors.
However, for those businesses which continue to succeed, they have found a firm foothold not only on the local landscape but are seeking to expand outside of T&T.
For instance, in the fashion segment, the reign of the Merry Monarch will not be the same without Monday wear and swimwear is a staple for the road.
Local swimwear designer Sian McIntosh continues to offer customers, both at home and regionally, a variety of styles, colours and patterns reflecting that unique Caribbean style.
Rebel by McIntosh, has become one of the most prolific swimsuits and Monday Wear brands, known for their unique and modern designs and especially for their risqué cuts and silhouettes.
In business for about eight years, Rebel’s list of clients continues to grow, gaining popularity also in the region.
“I try not to put gems on the costumes and try to concentrate on a really great colour or print so I try to keep it more along the swimwear lines to use after Carnival,” McIntosh said, adding that in doing so she ensures clients get the best value for money.
“It does not make sense to pay for Monday wear when you have to pay so much money for a costume. I try for people to get as much use out of it as possible,” she added.
Her pieces, from two pieces to whole suits range between $850 to $1,500.
McIntosh said the brand continues to improve with customers coming from Jamaica and Barbados.
“They are not necessarily involved in the Carnival. Maybe they want a piece just to go to the beach or if they are going on vacation,” McIntosh explained.
She had several pop-up showings in some of the other islands and now, McIntosh wants to tap into the diaspora markets in the United States.
She already has a show planned in New York this summer which she hopes will propel her business on an international scale.
Apart from individual clients, McIntosh also does work for Tribe every Carnival.
This year, she did Monday wear for about four sections.
“I got about 400 orders so I think this is probably one of my biggest years,” she said.
During the off-Carnival period, people may watch their spending and McIntosh is mindful of this.
“Customers are going to pay a certain amount. At Carnival time you could probably charge a little more because you may spend money on more expensive material.
“But on the regular basis on average, a regular whole piece is between $600 to $800 and I feel I can’t charge more than that during non-Carnival times,” McIntosh said.
Any Carnival veteran knows, getting dolled up for Carnival Monday and Tuesday is a production in and of itself.
With a competing environment, some make-up artists have diversified their services to lure customers, offering for instance, breakfast or complimentary beverages.
The Carnival Glam Hub is a one-stop solution which continues to make makes glamour effortless for masqueraders.
According to its website, it boasts of being the Caribbean’s premier Carnival salon and concierge service that takes the hassle out of getting ready on the day.
It said outside of a service booking, everyone within the hub has access to complimentary offerings including mimosas/cocktails, hot beverages, and shuttle services among others.
It is located at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, therefore, making it easily accessible to all the bands.
Its one-day makeup, hair, and photoshoot services are from US$181.98.
For both days it’s from US$256.24.
The business was co-founded by Gabrielle Waite, a pro makeup artist and founder of Gabby Glam Cosmetics makeup line.
Apart from T&T it also operates in Miami, Jamaica and St Lucia and has serviced more than 4,000 women, its website noted.
However, not all businesses are thriving, despite the busy season.
While bars are a must for fêtes and other Carnival-related events, for novices wanting to make a mark in the industry this is challenging bartender Angelo Johnson told the Business Guardian.
“It’s a bit tough in the industry being someone new on the scene because it is hard to get work due to all the people who have been there before,” he said.
In hospitality for about six years and bartending for three, his big break came at the recently-hosted CIC fête.
According to Johnson, it’s his unique style which makes him stand out.
“I try to be as different. I try to put certain skills in customer service because I believe as a bartender I am not here just to mix drinks and to give you alcohol but I believe in giving you an experience.
“I would try to speak to my customers and mix drinks to what they may like because I want them to come back,” Johnson explained.
Despite the obstacles he faces in the sector, Johnson remains positive that his business--Executive Events Services--will pick up, as he already has two big jobs lined-up in May and June.
Transportation is also a critical element in Carnival; whether it is carrying steelpans for Panorama finals or ensuring a group of friends reach their J’Ouvert meeting point on time.
The Private Bus Association which once had a booming business is financially struggling for Carnival 2023, secretary Peter Ramlochan told the Business Guardian.
He said people are hardly accessing the service adding, “With COVID a lot of people are crying out because of their economic situation... the rise in cost to maintain these vehicles. Sometimes you have to work out whether it is practical to run the buses and added to this there’s the rise in fuel, the insurance, cost of tyres and all the regulations. When you look at it eventually we may be going out of business to some extent.”
Members of the association would usually assist in carrying steelpans and costumes to various venues, among other jobs.
However, this year these are few and far between.
“We would normally carry the panmen and even some of their equipment, children for their competition at the various points and with the build-up to Panorama sometimes there were not enough buses. It’s really tragic to know you had a once thriving industry,” Ramlochan said.
He noted a bus accommodates about 30 to 50 passengers and it also provides a yeoman service to the rural communities for Carnival.
Businesses has been so bad that the association’s membership has also dwindled.
“To support a unit (bus) like that you have to start off with a couple thousand dollars and after it has been parked up for two years it’s really costly to get off the ground again,” Ramlochan added.
Also, he said crime is a deterrent which impacts the service.
“Imagine you carry people to Panorama and people hold up the driver looking for money,” Ramlochan said.
The service also extended beyond the Carnival, playing a large part in local tourism throughout the year by taking passengers to various destinations across the country such as waterfalls and beaches.
Despite the downturn, the association hopes things will improve as the season gets into full gear and even for Carnival 2024.