A Screen (Big) Shot

In Jamaica, it’s not unusual for householders to complain about shoddy workmanship or poor customer service from tradesmen. There are countless stories of woe from people who were disappointed by the efforts of contractors who promised the best, but delivered their worst. For this reason, I try not to hire […]

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Why Do So Many Small Businesses Fail?

A common complaint from local entrepreneurs is that it is extremely difficult to operate a business in Jamaica. However, business challenges are not limited to this country, as international statistics indicate that anywhere from one-third to one-half of new enterprises will fold within the first five years of operation. While […]

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Sweet Love from Jamaica

Photo courtesy of BransonCentre.co I must confess that I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. I’ve always preferred the tang of tamarind balls to the sugary snacks that so many people seem to love. However, I am enjoying the sweet taste of success that Patria-Kaye Aarons, Sweetie Confectionery CEO has […]

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Leading The Way

“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” – Dwight Eisenhower Many small entrepreneurs start their businesses as ‘one-man’ shops, taking on the responsibility for all the tasks required to keep the operation running. They are receptionists, product […]

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The Struggle Continues: It’s The System, Stupid!

We rejoin our saga of business owner David, whose trucking company was facing serious challenges. On the verge of giving up on his entrepreneurial dream, David found a glimmer of hope for the way forward in a book about business success, and resolved to keep on fighting. “Ping!” The familiar […]

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The Struggle Continues: The Longest Night

We previously introduced business owner David, whose trucking company was facing serious challenges. After losing a major client, David was tempted to give up on his entrepreneurial dream. In his darkest moment, however, he was encouraged by some business advice on the television. “Business success is about the three P’s: […]

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Stay or Quit? The Struggles of a Jamaican Entrepreneur

David’s head jerked at the insistent sound of the telephone ringing in his office. He hadn’t realised that he had fallen asleep at his desk until the call interrupted his late afternoon nap. For several months, sleep had eluded him during the night, and his body was trying to regain […]

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Vote for Jamaicans in Int’l Tech Competition

The Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Tech-I Competition is an annual event for young science and technology innovators and entrepreneurs to compete with their ideas and start-ups in the sectors of Agriculture, Health, Energy, and Information Communication Technology in order to receive cash prizes and mentorship opportunities. Out […]

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Tech Innovators – Time to Compete!

Great news for young, innovative entrepreneurs in Jamaica! The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is holding a Global Entrepreneurship competition in conjunction with the US Department of State. This competition is the flagship program of the Global Innovation through Science and Technology Initiative and this year for […]

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Purpose, Passion, Profit

One of the questions that potential business owners usually ask is “how can I make money doing what I love to do?” Very often, these optimistic entrepreneurs get discouraged when others declare that the activities they love to do can’t translate into dollars in the real world. Many people have […]

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And the Survey Says…

A local research company, Balcostics Ltd., has recently completed a survey of some Jamaican Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to determine the answers to these questions: Who are Jamaica’s rising SMEs? (age, gender, education level, years in operation) What are the main challenges facing SMEs? What are the main reasons […]

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Getting out of business debt

“I’m desperately seeking a way to turn around my business. I’ve run up a lot of debt in trying to promote a new product, but sales are not coming in fast enough to cover my repayments. I am confident that I’m about to make a breakthrough as more customers are accepting my […]

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