My Entrepreneurial Journey

Honestly this course has been so helpful to my self development. Next to my first foundational course, this course has left an impression on how I see my life and how I respond to situations. I did not know exactly what I was going to do after I left school, like most of my colleagues. But this class opened up opportunities I had never even considered!

The film industry guest speakers for example, did not interest me at first. I did not do much film in my specialization and I did not think what they were saying could apply to me. I was set in my designer world and I never intended on doing anything else. But after discovering a need for film makers in Jamaica, it was almost like magic that I began recognizing needs to be filmed everywhere. Most people learn by experience. But so many Jamaicans seemed to be deaf- eared to the problems of crime, aids, our dying culture and other social issues. Also realizing that I have a particular interest in social entrepreneurship, I began thinking of ways to get people more aware and involved. Many of them included stories to be filmed, whether they were staged or presented via a documentary. That class that I never expected much from has driven me to find out more about film in all its aspects- directing, producing, script writing. In fact, I plan to intern with a self taught but excellent and driven film director of Jamaica. I chose not to go to a top notch company with everything already taken care of because I wanted to learn it the real way... if I wanted to start out as a film entrepreneur. I have even sought advice of the market for film from lecturers and I was encouraged that it was not the years of experience or age that makes you a good film maker... people seriously mainly look at your work and it will speak to them. In a society of traditional jobs causing a lack of employment mediocre work (because there are more new things that can be done), this breaks a barrier. I intend to do well not just for myself, but for other Jamaicans to show them that they can do what they love, if they are really serious about it. I am learning about the price of gathering my own equipment and it is not an easy task, but I believe for my own sanity, its worth it.

Film has been the main thing on my mind. However, I am more aware of the various opportunities out there and my eyes are much are agile at looking for them now. I have invested in an idea sketch book. This is a comfortable little book with blank pages, blank canvases waiting for me to create life with them. On these pages, I put drawings that inspire me (to be used as t- shirt designs or paintings in the future). I also jot down ideas that come to me; needs, to be more specific. I also encourage my friends to update me on needs around them, that I may not have access to but may be something that is a need larger than I would think. This is because I have learnt that entrepreneurship cannot be done alone. We need people around us to give us different perspectives, to help out with the workload, to do the things you cannot do so well more efficently, and to keep us sane by keeping us company. I have learnt that from my lecturer and computer- based entrepreneur, David Bain.

Entrepreneurship takes work and a lot of investment. But it is worth it. Ultimately there is greater satisfaction and often times more money than a traditional job (alone). This course was an opening to bigger things for me. I plan to make use of it in my life and my situations, not just to develop as an entrepreneur, but as a graduate and a woman in society, making a difference. I encourage you who read this, not to run from your passions, your talents, your dreams... but to face them, and make plans to make them a reality. As the Nike logo so boldy states, JUST DO IT!

Entrep~Lady

My entrepreneurial ideas

I have had these ideas for a while and I think I will share some with you aspiring entrepreneurs out there. I am feeling generous tonight so here are just a few. I base this list on things I am good at, I have the opportunity to learn or improve in them and things I just love. These form the basis of my entrepreneurial daydreams and are regularly updated (the document is located on my smart phone).

1. Children- STRAIGHT, every aspect. They are one of my passions considering I like to think of myself as a child at heart, when it is appropriate.
2. Teaching- I have had experience in teaching at Sunday School, as an NCO in cadet and now an adult instruction in the Jamaican Combined Cadet Force. I also like helping persons with their assignments, ESPECIALLY multimedia which I ultimately love. It is a possibility that I do something along these lines.Healthy Employee-Management Relations (Internal Auditing)- there is seriously so much satisfaction from doing a job like this. I know I am not the only one in my group feels the same.
3. Photography
4. Events Planning
5. Story writing
6. Film and video production (Very motivated)- Plan to intern with one the Jamaica's better videographers and Directors of Photography. His name is Darren Scott. I am in contact with him through my lecturer, David Bain. 
7. Make up artistry
8. Motivational speaker
9. Food dressing
10. Open up a child daycare at a noble instituion (nameless for now)
11. Social responsibility issues like creating documentaries about real life situations and impacting scenarios that people can identify with and can cause social behaviour change.

These are some ideas. I am still figuring out what is the main connection. This will surely guide my priorities as I decide where to go and what to do from graduation onwards. 

Visit to the Stock Market Exchange

What was previously known as just one of those rare pretty buildings in the downtown area, was opened up to me the day I ventured inside it. I speak of the Jamaica Stock Exchange headquarters. Myself and my three other colleagues waited in the lobby for quite a while until anything was underway. We were a bit antsy as well, as we had final projects to be working on and three hours at this uninteresting place was worrying us a bit about time management. What was worse for me was that, in my desperation to cure my boredom and idleness in the waiting period, I reached for the coffee table literature for some home... only to be bombarded with financial information from these documents. Math, a subject that many CARIMAC students are fearful or anxious of, was not my best or favourite subject. Seeing those numbers turned me off immediately. After all, it seemed this place was all about mathematics and fancy business running. 

Did I get the shock of my life when I did decide to stay? I did. The first speaker came in and gave us a history and background on the company. This was helpful because it was English language, something we were more familiar with, I can speak definitely for myself in this area. What was impressive is that he did not let us focus too much on the math aspect before we get the full picture. 

I learnt that the stock exchange was more than just some old rich men making noise in a room over money. I also learnt the purpose of the business watch and winners and losers in business, because I never could understand the importance of that segment. Not only did the presentation get me aware but I felt like I wanted to be a part of it. 

Trading stocks actually sounded appealing, such that I would personally get some background trading in the accounting field so that I would be efficiently making money. After all, this is a money making venture. And could you believe I actually understood the spreeadsheet? It was broken down so simply, that I could go home now and buy and watch stocks.

Even with this information though, I wondered why did Gerry insist that we come here? What does this have to do with entrepreneurial skills? I soon learnt as I payed keen attention, that we were sent here as a ploy to start our businesses the 'right and legal' way. That means to pay our taxes and all those miserable things that young people like me do not look forward to. How else can you join this glorious stock exchange? I remember having a mental OHHH in my mind when I picked it up. But there were benefits from the stock exchange to doing business the proper way such as no tax deductions for the first five years, which is a very generous offer to a small company starting up with young adults fresh out of university like I will soon be. I must say, I appreciate the morals behind the decision. And not that I was thinking 'hard' about whether or not I would pay taxes, I think it will pay off if I do it the right way, and even invest in the Junior Stock Market while my business is young. 

This trip was a great opportunity to further my entrepreneurial journey and give me some ideas on how exactly I would run my small business realistically and not abstractly. I am grateful for the experience. 

Here is a glimpse at the 'hotel' for those of you who declined from a special dash of learning something to guide you in your business basics and traditions.