Rochelle Walrond-Cox's Envoici Wins the Sandra Husbands Award for Regional Accounting Software Solution

It was a bid to support her mother through breast cancer that led Rochelle Walrond-Cox to create two start-ups, including a regional accounting software solution, Envoici, that has just won the Barbados Small Business Association’s Sandra Husbands Award.

“There was a wave of emotions that came over me as I heard [Envoici’s] name called,” said Walrond-Cox. “I heard the bio being read and I was sitting there in complete dismay wondering if it was me that they were speaking about so glowingly. I feel a sense of gratitude that everyone has supported me in this journey.”

A certified management accountant with a master’s degree in wealth and investment management, the Deighton Griffith Secondary School alumna co-founded two firms – Digital IRC Consultancy Services which has just celebrated its first anniversary, leveraging technology in digital transformation services development, e-commerce implementation; and operational structure, and software solution Envoici. Through a personal crisis, she saw a business opportunity.

“After my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer my husband and I decided to leverage our skills to open our business and we found there was a gap within the market as many businesses were looking to take their business online and they needed to understand the importance of good financial governance in their respective businesses,” she said.

The co-founder is not short of gratitude for her support team, led by the firms’ fellow co-founder and CTO – her husband Ivan – and her parents.

“One of the things that was very important to me when I started my businesses was ensuring that I had a team of persons around me that I trusted, which I in turn decided to make my board of directors. There would not be a Digital IRC Consultancy Services Ltd or Envoici without my Ivan Cox who is my partner and co-founder. He is the screwdriver that keeps everything turning. He is the [CTO] and oversees all the technological aspects of IRC and Envoici. His expertise and knowledge are what has made all of this possible.

“My parents are the definition of encouraging. My mom has been there to wipe away the tears in my low moments. My father is always there to make a vision come to life at every pop-up and showcase. Growing a business is like taking care of a child and it does take a village. I can boldly say I have so many friends in various industries that have provided their support one way or another.”

Walrond-Cox manages her two businesses while still working a nine-to-five job in a reputable company. Since becoming an entrepreneur she said she learned two important things: how to manage her time more effectively and how to make sacrifices to ensure she reaches her financial goals.