Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Keron Rose. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Keron, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

In Trinidad and Tobago, where I reside, the reluctance towards adopting technology has historically been a barrier to progress. Recognizing this, I drew on my experiences from working in Sales & customer education at major tech companies in Toronto, Canada, such as Telus and Apple, where technology education is ingrained in the customer experience. This stark contrast between the tech-savvy environment in Canada and the tech-adverse climate in the Caribbean inspired me to initiate change.

Upon moving to Trinidad, I founded Droid Island, which began as a tech education blog focusing on smartphones. This endeavor quickly evolved into partnerships with leading brands like Huawei, Samsung, B-Mobile, and Digicel, leading to workshops and a wealth of tech-related content. My journey didn’t stop at content creation; I opened a smartphone store and eventually launched an e-commerce platform to further facilitate tech accessibility.

As my business grew, so did my expertise in digital marketing and e-commerce. Soon, I found myself in a unique position—local businesses were reaching out to learn from my online success. This led me to expand my services to include digital strategy workshops, helping other business owners digitize their operations. The demand for my expertise surged especially after the pandemic, highlighting the necessity for digital capabilities in a socially distant world. My contributions have reached audiences not just in the Caribbean but also in the US, UK, and Canada.

Today, I wear multiple hats: I am a columnist for major publications in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, a radio show host, a TV presenter, and a lecturer at prestigious universities. My dual role as both practitioner and educator sets me apart in the industry. I not only implement digital strategies behind the scenes but also share this knowledge through various educational channels, making digital marketing accessible and comprehensible to a wide audience.

This blend of practical experience and educational outreach has not only allowed me to diverge from the corporate norm but also to forge a path where technology and education intersect, benefiting individuals and businesses across the region. My story underscores the profound impact of bridging the digital divide and fostering a tech-inclusive culture, proving that change is possible with persistence and education.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My journey into the tech world began in childhood, when I was the go-to person in my family for setting up anything electronic—from TVs to home entertainment systems. This early love for technology led me to pursue studies in Computer Networking and System Technology. Although I eventually dropped out due to a required course in web design that didn’t align with my interests, my passion for tech never waned. It is funny now because years later, I build websites and I teach my clients how to build websites.

At 18, I landed my first significant job at Telus Communications as a Sales Representative. Here, I immersed myself in the world of technology, spending countless hours watching videos, reading articles, and becoming one of the top tech experts and sales reps in my district. My passion further blossomed at Apple, where I honed my abilities to sell, troubleshoot and educate customers, effectively bringing out the teacher in me.

Today, I am the founder of Digipreneur (Digital Entrepreneur), a platform where I leverage my extensive experience to help businesses build their digital presence and monetize their platforms. My transition from a focus on smartphones to digital marketing and e-commerce was driven by the realization of how impactful my knowledge could be for business owners. A poignant moment for me occurred in a Starbucks, where a gentleman credited my e-commerce strategies with saving his business—and his family’s livelihood—at a critical time.

At Digipreneur, we understand the power of the Internet and its potential to integrate businesses from smaller economies like the Caribbean into the global marketplace. My mission is to empower these businesses to tap into larger markets through digital platforms. My company provides digital strategy services that range from content creation to complete digital transformation strategies, ensuring businesses not only survive but thrive in today’s digital landscape.

What sets me apart in this industry is my dual role as both a practitioner and an educator. I don’t just develop strategies; I teach them. This approach not only helps businesses implement practical, real-world solutions but also educates them on maintaining and scaling these strategies independently.

I am most proud of the life-changing impacts my work has had on individuals and businesses. Knowing that my efforts have helped save businesses and by extension, families, motivates me every day. I remember when I was at Starbucks having my tasty Hibiscus Lemonade, a gentlemen older then me came over and told me he wanted to thank me for saving his and his families life. They were in the red in their business for many months and were getting ready to close down, until they found my content and implemented the E-Commerce tools and strategies, that allowed them to start getting paid from clients outside of our market. I got many of these stories over the years and that impact I have been bale to make has really kept me motivated on my mission. For anyone looking to understand the importance of digital strategy in the modern economy, or how to effectively integrate these strategies into their business, I am here to guide and educate.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that my work is about empowerment and transformation. Through Digipreneur, I am committed to helping you unlock the potential of digital tools to not just participate in the global economy, but to compete and succeed on a world stage.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most significant lessons I had to unlearn was the assumption that business strategies effective in one region could be seamlessly transplanted to another. Moving from Canada to Trinidad, I quickly realized that the tools and methods I was familiar with did not operate the same way in the Caribbean. This was a stark revelation in a region where digital and e-commerce practices seemed distant and inaccessible to many.

When I founded Droid Island, my initial strategy was to apply the digital marketing and e-commerce techniques I learned in Canada. However, I faced immediate challenges due to regional differences in technology adoption and availability of platforms. This necessitated a complete reassessment and adaptation of my approach to suit the local market.

In adapting, I engaged extensively with local decision-makers and companies that offered e-commerce solutions, integrating these new tools into my business. This hands-on experience was crucial, as it not only allowed me to tailor my business effectively but also equipped me with the knowledge to assist others in overcoming similar barriers.

The process involved building trust and authority in a new country where, back in 2016, local online shopping was minimal, and professional platforms like LinkedIn were underutilized. I had to creatively leverage traditional media and other channels to share my content and ideas, which was essential for educating the public and establishing credibility.

From this experience, I learned that success in a new market requires understanding and adapting to local nuances rather than merely replicating what worked elsewhere. This lesson has been instrumental in shaping my approach to digital strategy, ensuring that the solutions I develop are not only effective but also contextually appropriate for the Caribbean market.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building a strong reputation in a new market where I initially knew no one boiled down to one key approach: being a dedicated practitioner. My journey into digital marketing and e-commerce wasn’t initially aimed at teaching others; it was about building my own enterprise, Droid Island. Through this process, I immersed myself in learning from industry leaders such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Daniel Priestley, Neil Patel, and Chris Ducker. My background from the Canadian market endowed me with the ability to discern what would likely succeed or fail in the Caribbean context.

A critical aspect of building my reputation was transparency. I leveraged my social media platforms to share the behind-the-scenes of my business operations—everything from analytics to real-time challenges. This wasn’t just about showcasing successes; I was equally open about setbacks. This approach allowed my audience to see the practical applications of my strategies, not just the theories. They could witness the tangible outcomes of my efforts and understand the real-world implications of my strategies.

Moreover, being visible and active in applying what I preached helped solidify my credibility. People could see the evolution of Droid Island, observe the strategies I implemented, and see the direct results of these actions. Whether it was a successful campaign or a learning experience from a less successful one, my community was involved in each step. This consistent demonstration of applied knowledge helped people trust that I could do what I claimed, bridging the gap from theory to practice.

Ultimately, what really set me apart was my commitment to not just theorize but actively engage in and share the entire process of building a digital business. This openness has not only helped in educating others but also in cementing my reputation as a trustworthy and knowledgeable leader in digital strategy within the Caribbean market.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://keronrose.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keronrose/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekeronrose
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keron-j-rose/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KeronRose
• Other: Check out the Digipreneur FM podcast on all podcast directories or at https://digipreneur.fm/

Image Credits

My headshot credit is to Josh Brizan. The rest of the images, I took myself.