When it comes to entrepreneurship, St. Catherine and Clarendon are buzzing with potential, each carving out its own path in Jamaica’s economic landscape. Through the JBDC’s Virtual Business Centre, Business Development Officer (BDO) Pauline Lewis is guiding entrepreneurs from both parishes to formalise their businesses, embrace digital tools, and position themselves for growth.
St. Catherine, one of Jamaica’s largest parishes and a vital feeder to Kingston, boasts a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit. Pauline describes it as “a parish hungry for learning,” especially as micro and small businesses embrace the digital shift.
“In St. Catherine, you have a lot of persons in the food industry and cosmetics, skincare and haircare, but what we’re seeing now is that more of them are connecting with the market online,” she explained. Platforms like Instagram remain popular, but TikTok is emerging as a major tool for growth. “They realise the audience there may be larger and varied.”
This shift reduces overhead costs for entrepreneurs who can now work from home, but it comes with new responsibilities. Pauline emphasises the importance of proper structure: “They have to think about record-keeping, accounting software, and getting ready to pitch for grants or loans. If they’re not prepared, opportunities will pass them by.”
In Clarendon, Pauline explains, the entrepreneurial culture is less formalised, but the potential is undeniable. Towns like May Pen and Chapelton hold promise, particularly in agriculture. Pauline noted, “When you think about Clarendon, you think about farmers, but the question is, how do we help them be more creative with what they produce?”
She encourages farmers to explore value-added opportunities such as jams, sauces, and organic foods, noting that health-conscious consumers are seeking “products that enhance their health. Jamaica is a brand by itself. Once people hear something is produced here, their antennas go up because of the authenticity.”
Despite the promise, entrepreneurs in both parishes face common hurdles. Pauline admits, “Funding cannot be overemphasised, they need it.” Access to affordable packaging and containers is another challenge. With only a handful of suppliers locally, many entrepreneurs are forced to import, often at high cost.
Another issue is creativity and differentiation. “Sometimes they’re looking to us for answers, but I tell them it’s already in their head, they just have to be more creative,” Pauline explained.
Pauline’s Impact
With over a decade of business development experience, Pauline brings a unique perspective shaped by her early career in the financial sector. Before joining JBDC, she worked at a financial institution where she often met small business clients seeking loans but “not ready to get them, no proper record keeping, no consistency, no formalisation.” That experience gave her valuable insight into the gaps that hold entrepreneurs back.
“Now, being at JBDC, I know exactly what the institutions are looking for,” she explained. “I can help entrepreneurs streamline their operations, keep proper records, and get themselves in a position where funding is possible.”
This dual perspective, financial know-how combined with hands-on business development, allows her to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and lenders. But more importantly, it fuels her drive to see clients succeed. As she puts it: “I want to be remembered as a St. Catherine BDO who has the parish in her heart and the people on her mind.”
The Virtual Advantage
The JBDC Virtual Business Centre has proven to be an essential link for entrepreneurs, especially those balancing business with other responsibilities. “Some clients take their lunch break just to talk to me virtually,” Pauline shared. Still, she recognises that many value personal interaction. “Everybody wants to meet their BDO face to face at least once, it spells volumes in their book and mine.”
To bridge that gap, she makes a conscious effort to connect virtually, “Even if my clients don’t turn on their camera, I always keep mine on. It shows them I’m present, I’m involved, and I have nothing to hide.”
Both St. Catherine and Clarendon are at pivotal points in their entrepreneurial journeys. With digitalisation driving St. Catherine’s growth and agriculture fuelling Clarendon’s potential, the JBDC’s continued presence, whether virtual or physical, will be key to unlocking opportunities. Thanks to Pauline’s blend of financial knowledge, people-first approach, and passion for development, entrepreneurs across both parishes are finding new ways to thrive. Log on to www.jbdc.net to get started.
