When you hear the name Krystle Phillips, think of an entrepreneur who embodies resilience wrapped in ambition, coupled with the unique warmth and drive of the Caribbean. Her story isn’t your typical business tale; it’s a testament to facing adversity head-on, pivoting through life’s challenges, and building legacies from the ground up. And if there’s one thing Krystle’s journey proves, it’s that even the most chaotic storms can reveal the brightest rainbows.
Krystle’s story begins in Laventille, an area in Trinidad known for its rough exterior but filled with a community that teems with life and determination. Growing up there taught Krystle early on that while your environment may define your starting line, it doesn’t have to dictate your finish. From a young age, she knew she wanted more—independence, community impact, business success, and financial stability. By 15, she made the bold decision to leave Laventille, stepping out on her own to chase those dreams and redefine her path.
Those early experiences weren’t easy. She faced the realities of stereotypes as a young woman aspiring to make her mark in business. But every doubt cast her way only fueled her ambition. “You can’t do that” quickly became her motivation to prove them wrong, and each challenge fortified her resolve to build a life defined by her own terms.
Beezy Buddy: The First Leap into Entrepreneurship
Krystle’s entrepreneurial spark ignited at just 18 years old when she opened her first business, Beezy Buddy, on Cipero Street in San Fernando. Imagine being that young and diving headfirst into the business world with nothing but your savings from a primary school credit union account and a loan. It was a brave move, especially in an era where financial support for young entrepreneurs was sparse. But Krystle didn’t flinch.
Beezy Buddy began as a stationery store and an internet café—a popular draw at a time when getting online was a clunky, dial-up process. The business quickly evolved, expanding to include graphic design services and computer accessories. Krystle’s knack for sourcing hard-to-find items and electronics became a local asset, turning Beezy Buddy into more than just a store; it was a community resource. This experience honed her procurement skills and taught her a valuable lesson: being adaptable is non-negotiable in entrepreneurship.
The road wasn’t smooth. At one point, an unprofessional loans officer at NEDCO tried to use his position unethically. Krystle, however, sought another branch and found a champion in Nicole Andrews, a female officer who backed her ambitions. It was a defining moment that taught Krystle an essential truth: when facing obstacles, you always have options. And when it comes to finances, having “not enough” feels no different than having none at all.
Beezy Buddy’s physical doors eventually closed, but its spirit never did. Today, it exists as a testament to adaptability and growth, morphing into a fragrance brand that offers everything from designer scents to natural aromas and vehicle fresheners. Krystle even took it a step further by supplying packaging materials for other fragrance entrepreneurs. It’s clear: Beezy Buddy wasn’t just a business; it was the foundation for Krystle’s entrepreneurial mindset.
YES: Building Bridges in Business
With the lessons of Beezy Buddy in her pocket, Krystle ventured into her next chapter. In 2014, she founded YES (Your Equipment Supplier), a venture that would come to redefine her career and influence the business landscape in Trinidad. Having worked in teaching IT, managing inventory operations for a fast-food chain, and regional procurement for Coca-Cola, Krystle harnessed her skills and experiences to create YES. This wasn’t just any business; it was one of the first e-commerce platforms on the island, positioning itself as a trailblazer for modern-day Caribbean enterprises.
YES specializes in equipment for the agro/agri-processing industry but seamlessly serves clients in beauty and chemical processing as well. Whether it’s packing and filling machines or bespoke solutions tailored to unique production needs, YES stands out by offering installation, repair, and preventative maintenance services. The company started with major clients like restaurant franchises and large-scale companies, but Krystle soon realized her mission lay in empowering the smaller, often overlooked businesses. Serving these entrepreneurs became a cornerstone of YES’s mission, turning it into a vital player in supporting food security and local enterprise.
In 2019, Krystle’s life took an unexpected and devastating turn. Her then-husband, who she trusted with her business, betrayed her by stealing her funds and effectively dismantling her venture. It was a moment that could break anyone, but Krystle isn’t just anyone. The betrayal pushed her into a corner, but instead of staying there, she fought her way out. To repay customers and rebuild her business, she took up an 8-to-4 job and moonlighted as a rideshare driver from Friday night to Monday morning, catching sleep in her parked car when she could. It was an exhaustive and grueling time, but it proved one thing: her business was more than just a source of income—it was her identity.
Within months, Krystle repaid her customers, registered a new business in the USA, and, with grit and resilience, won the Planting Seeds competition, a Caribbean version of Shark Tank. This achievement wasn’t just a financial win; it was a validation of her strength, ingenuity, and refusal to be defeated.
Roll Ice Cream LLC: The Sweet Journey of Reinvention
One of Krystle’s most successful ventures came from a surprising discovery. While selling items on eBay, she noted a growing interest in parts and equipment for rolled ice cream. Sensing an opportunity, she pivoted into this niche. Most competitors were selling machines with used or substandard components, but Krystle knew she could offer better. Roll Ice Cream LLC was born out of this vision, providing high-quality, reliable machines that met the demands of a growing market.
What set Roll Ice Cream apart wasn’t just the product but the approach. Krystle decided to remove the sale of her equipment from platforms like eBay and Amazon, choosing to build her own e-commerce site instead. This strategy ensured she retained full control over the customer experience and product quality. And it worked—search “rolled ice cream” online, and you’ll find Roll Ice Cream LLC consistently ranked at the top. In 2022, Krystle’s work and journey caught the attention of a wider audience when she spoke in Washington, DC, on the topic “Failing Upward,” where she shared insights on overcoming betrayal and the importance of contracts and solid business foundations.
Krystle isn’t just about business; she’s about community and the power of mentorship. Over the years, she’s been deeply involved in initiatives like managing PR for the Purple Heart Youth Group and coordinating clusters for the National Youth Association of Trinidad and Tobago. Her cooperative-focused academic background shines through in her approach to leadership, blending structure with a collaborative spirit that nurtures those around her.
Initially, she was a micro-manager—keeping a tight grip on every detail. But time and experience taught her the importance of trust and delegation. Today, her leadership style is defined by clear structure and allowing her team to fulfill their roles independently. The result? A balanced, sustainable way of running her businesses that prioritizes growth and innovation without burning out.
Triumphs and Recognition
Krystle’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. YES was awarded Female Entrepreneur of the Year, and she’s won multiple pitch competitions, including Planting Seeds. Her ventures have hosted major events, including collaborations with the NBA, placing her businesses on a global stage. These achievements serve as both a validation of her hard work and a reminder of her impact.
In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, where innovation meets determination, Krystle Phillips emerges as a luminary whose journey is marked by a fusion of passion and expertise. Grounded in her academic background and enriched by her experiences in cooperative societies, Krystle applies the principles of collaboration and community to both her life and her business endeavors.
Krystle’s journey is far from over. She’s setting her sights on entering the world of manufacturing, with a vision to produce high-quality equipment and products that can make a difference locally and globally. Her long-term dream is to open a business school for children, planting seeds of entrepreneurship early so that future generations can learn to think big and dream even bigger.
Conclusion: A Legacy Forged in Fire
Krystle Phillips’ entrepreneurial journey isn’t just a story; it’s a saga of resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit of growth. From Laventille to international stages like Washington, DC, Krystle’s path has been anything but ordinary. She’s a reminder that setbacks can be setups for comebacks, that hard work pays off, and that with passion and purpose, the seemingly impossible becomes attainable.
Krystle Phillips emerges as a luminary whose journey is marked by a fusion of passion and expertise. Grounded in her academic background and enriched by her experiences in cooperative societies, Krystle applies the principles of collaboration and community to both her life and her business endeavors.
To anyone looking to carve out their own path, Krystle’s journey is a rallying cry: dream big, stay determined, and never underestimate the power of starting from scratch.
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