Dionne's story: opening doors to new homes & new industries

Dionne Thomas was a lawyer working in Guyana’s High Court when the country’s real estate and tourism industries were suddenly skyrocketed. She saw this as an opportunity to start her own business, Di’s Real Estate & Travel Consultancy, which utilises her legal expertise to help both local and international clients navigate property sales and rental processes, make travel arrangements, and more!

“My background in legal work inspired me to branch out into real estate, consultancy, and eventually travel services. Over the years, I have grown my business into a multifaceted operation that not only provides services in property sales, rentals, and conveyancing but also supports clients with GRA compliance, property caretaking, and travel arrangements.

Becoming an entrepreneur was not an easy decision, but it came naturally to me. I knew I wanted more independence and the ability to create opportunities for myself and others. By combining my legal knowledge with my passion for real estate and customer service, I was able to build a business that continues to serve both local and international clients. Today, I am also working toward opening a 24-hour daycare that will provide transportation and care for children, particularly those whose parents work late hours.

The real estate and travel industries in Guyana have undergone rapid evolution. Real estate, in particular, has seen significant growth due to demand for rentals, Airbnb properties, and purchases from both locals and foreign investors.

What drives me is my genuine love for what I do. I enjoy the variety of services I offer, the clients I meet, and the staff I work alongside. I have a team that supports the different aspects of my business; some handle court matters, others manage property valuations, while others take clients into the field. This teamwork enables me to continue expanding while ensuring that clients receive the best service possible.

The real estate and travel industries in Guyana have undergone rapid evolution. Real estate, in particular, has seen significant growth due to demand for rentals, Airbnb properties, and purchases from both locals and foreign investors. Many people come to Guyana for work, vacation, or business opportunities, and they need reliable housing solutions. This demand has created opportunities not only for me but also for other local property owners, who benefit from rental income.

Dionne Thomas, a woman entrepreneur from Guyana, sits behind a dark wooden desk inside her office. She is holding papers and speaking to a woman and a man on the other side of the desk. The woman is wearing a black t-shirt and black pants and to the right of her is a man with pink pants and a black and white printed shirt. Dionne is wearing glasses with black and white frames, a magenta blazer over a black shirt, and a gold necklace.

Dionne Thomas, a woman entrepreneur from Guyana, stands behind a dark wooden desk inside her office. She is shaking the hand of a woman on the other side of the desk who is wearing a black t-shirt and black pants and standing next to a man with pink pants and a black and white printed shirt. On the desk between them is some paperwork. Dionne is wearing glasses with black and white frames, a magenta blazer over a black shirt, and a gold necklace.

I learned new strategies for record-keeping, filing, and managing client relationships. The program also gave me the chance to meet other women entrepreneurs, share experiences, and learn from each other’s successes and struggles.

Of course, being a woman entrepreneur comes with challenges. One of my biggest hurdles has been navigating communication between purchasers and vendors, particularly when clients do not fully understand the legal or financial obligations of contracts and conveyancing. I have also faced issues with clients not wanting to pay commissions, which requires firmness and professionalism to resolve. Additionally, access to support from organisations and networks has sometimes been limited, which makes it harder for women to expand their businesses with the same ease as men in male-dominated industries.

My participation in the Road to Growth program was transformative. I learned new strategies for record-keeping, filing, and managing client relationships. The program also gave me the chance to meet other women entrepreneurs, share experiences, and learn from each other’s successes and struggles. Through this training, I enhanced my customer management skills, expanded into new markets, and became more organised in my business operations.

Dionne Thomas, a woman entrepreneur from Guyana, sits behind a dark wooden desk inside her office. She is speaking to someone on the phone and looking at her laptop screen. Dionne is wearing glasses with black and white frames, a magenta blazer over a black shirt, and a gold necklace.

Dionne Thomas, a woman entrepreneur from Guyana, sits behind a dark wooden desk inside her office. She is reaching up toward the camera to put a file on a shelf full of files, which are in the foreground of the image. Dionne is wearing glasses with black and white frames, a magenta blazer over a black shirt, and a gold necklace.

Supporting women entrepreneurs ultimately contributes to Guyana’s broader economic growth and creates opportunities for future leaders.

For me, business success means financial stability for my family, the ability to pay my staff regularly, and the chance to give back to my community by educating and mentoring others. My future hope is to continue growing my business while inspiring the next generation, especially young women, to pursue entrepreneurship with confidence.

Women need to have access to programs like Road to Growth. They provide not only skills and knowledge but also encouragement, community, and the sense of unity women need to thrive in business. Supporting women entrepreneurs ultimately contributes to Guyana’s broader economic growth and creates opportunities for future leaders.”