ENTREPRENEUR OF THE WEEK

Micro Matrix - Cayman’s e-world customer centre

Sandra Catron, 
Managing Director, Micro Matrix


Micro Matrix sales clerk, Remy, shows computer-
related products on sale


Web design class in session

Sandra Catron

Monday,  November 7, 2005

Even with a law degree, and her childhood dream of becoming an attorney, Sandra Catron now spends her days far away from courtrooms and legal chambers. 

At the same time, however, Ms Catron sees her legal degree as a tool that has helped to equip her to go after other, even stronger goals. 

“Besides being a lawyer I have always wanted to make things happen. Also, I have found that I can chart courses more clearly on my own,” Ms Catron explained.

This statement is no surprise – coming from the woman who was the youngest candidate in the May 2005 General Elections, in which she ran as an independent.

Ms Catron said that in May, she saw an opportunity to make a difference at the leadership level in the country – in her own country. It is the same reason, in addition to many others she gives for joining the ranks of young entrepreneurs in Cayman by starting up the company, Micro Matrix.

“I started the company in the summer of 2003. I saw that every district needed to have an Internet café. Children need easy access to the Internet to learn and study. In addition, the common area, with a library-type setting, is just right for homework,” she said.

Ms Catron explained that besides the children, the Micro Matrix product is geared towards the cruise ship visitor and the longer, stay-over hotel guest as well.

“These persons are accustomed to having the Internet at their disposal,” she said.

“ An Internet café is something they would find in other places they visit. Even while on vacation, their communication with their families or businesses does not end. This is just one of the reasons why we are open every day. Mondays to Saturdays we open at 10 am and close at 9 pm. On Sundays we open from noon to 6.”

The café is located in the Centennial Towers in West Bay. Other users of Micro Matrix’s services include persons who are accustomed to using the Internet during the week while at office and don’t have that access on the weekend.

“With the café in the district, these persons can access the information they need on a weekend as well. We also have arrangements with certain condos that offer Internet services with rental fees. Whenever there is a problem at their locations, condo residents use Micro Matrix facilities,” added Ms Catron.

Obviously, the need for the café’s services increased after Hurricane Ivan – what with many losing service at home. However, it is clear that Ms Catron was ahead of the game with establishing the company in West Bay a little over a year before the hurricane hit. 

Ms Catron said that clients at the café include people from all professions, students and those who find themselves at home a lot such as household helpers.

Describing her life’s path that led to the opening of the company, Ms Catron explained, “My father, Urick Solomon made a significant contribution to my life. I was born and lived here up to age nine. After that I spent fifteen years in the United States. While there I completed my first University degree and that was in Technical Writing. The degree is substantially an English degree that is geared towards the legal profession.

“My two aunts Lottie Hamilton who I stayed with in Tampa and raised me while I was there, and my Aunt Adonia Barnes who lives here, have all had an immense impact on my life.

“When I returned home at age twenty-four in 1996, I worked with Maples and Calder for three years before starting my law degree.

“I graduated from Law School in year 2000, however, that was also the year my Dad died. His death gave me reason to pause and consider a number of things in my life, including a career in law. I simply wanted to be more actively involved in making things happen.

“I have very strong beliefs in continuing education. So, apart from providing the convenience of Internet access I thought of Micro Matrix as a learning centre. As such we host computer courses in Quickbooks, Microsoft Office and others. In addition, we held a web design class recently. One of the things we are best known for is our computer summer camp for kids.”

Ms Catron said it is more than an Internet café. 

“Our services include those of a one-stop business centre and we provide small business services such as document printing, photocopying, scanning, transcription, letter writing, ad design and marketing and business plans,” she said.

“We are also a source for computer hardware and software supplies. After Hurricane Ivan this was a big area of our business. We also provide digital photography services including electronic delivery, burning CDs, photo manipulation, restoration and printing.

“After opening I quickly found the need to diversify services and so we also do personalised promotional items such as T-shirts, mouse pads, photo calendars and a range of other items.

“The biggest item on our agenda is the company’s partnership with CBT Direct. CBT Direct, provides online training for all facets of the IT industry, covering a range of all the major software vendors, including CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, Lotus, Oracle, Macromedia, Sun, Java and Linux. Beginner courses on software applications, to high-level certification courses, are offered for every IT professional, Career Changer, Home User, Hobbyist and Small Corporation,’ she added.

Ms Catron explained that courses are presented through a learning method called computer-based training (CBT), which is one of the most widely used educational training methods available. 

“The learning method is also called e-learning and Web-based training. We are going to be CBT’s Cayman affiliate,” she said.

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