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Tennyson Preston
Founder @trewlabs (Techstars 2018)
Tennyson Preston is a co-founder of CaribShopper, an e-commerce platform designed to facilitate the buying and selling of Caribbean products. He operates the company alongside his brother, Kadion Preston, who serves as the CEO. Together, they have developed CaribShopper to cater primarily to the Caribbean diaspora, allowing them to access products from their home countries.
Background and Role
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Entrepreneurial Journey: Tennyson Preston has a diverse background in operations and information systems, which he leverages in his role at CaribShopper. The company was established in 2016 but underwent significant changes in 2019 when it pivoted from an import-based model to focusing on export facilitation due to unsustainable shipping costs.12
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Business Model: CaribShopper connects customers in North America with products from Jamaica and Trinidad, utilizing a network of fulfillment centers and partnerships with logistics providers like FedEx and DHL for efficient delivery.1 The platform has seen substantial growth, reporting a 162% increase in year-on-year business from 2020 to 2021.1
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Future Plans: Under Tennyson's guidance, CaribShopper aims to expand its market reach by adding new source countries and increasing its product offerings, including perishables. The company is also targeting entry into the UK market by early 2023.1
Tennyson Preston's work at CaribShopper reflects his commitment to enhancing access to Caribbean goods for those living abroad, tapping into nostalgia and cultural connections through e-commerce.