When most people think of St. James, a few words come to mind almost instantly – ‘Montego Bay’, ‘Beaches’, ‘Tourists’, ‘Hotels’ – And rightly so. Dubbed Jamaica’s ‘second city’, Montego Bay is a hub for hotels, cruises, entertainment, and everything in between. But for Charlieanna Bailey-Carey, Business Development Officer (BDO) at the JBDC St. James Business Centre, the story of business in the parish is much broader.“
St. James is one of the tourism hubs of Jamaica, and the sector really is the economic backbone of the parish,” she explains. “But it doesn’t stop there. You look along the value chain -transportation, artisan craft, entertainment, even medical tourism and you see how wide the opportunities are.”
Beyond tourism, agriculture and manufacturing are also alive and well in the parish. “You still have sugar cane, agro-processing, beekeeping, and value-added farming happening here,” Bailey-Carey adds. “Montego Bay is also known for its BPOs (Business Process Outsourcing) in the Freeport area, so it’s really a mix of industries that are driving growth.”
Zooming in on the clients she serves, Bailey-Carey points out that the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the true heartbeat of St. James.
“Based on our data, the majority of our clients are micro entrepreneurs,” she says. “We do have a few in the small category meaning they’re earning between $15 million and $75 million per year with 6 to 20 staff but those are few and far between. Most are micro, working in areas like food services, transportation, manufacturing, and agro-processing.”
Airbnbs, restaurants, craft vendors, and tour operators are common in the parish. But getting these businesses off the ground isn’t without its hurdles. “For someone doing Airbnb, for example, you need startup capital, you need to access funding, and sometimes even National Housing Trust (NHT) benefits to acquire properties in gated communities that appeal to visitors. Resources are critical,” she stresses.
A Common Cry – Access to Finance
When asked about the challenges MSMEs face, Bailey-Carey doesn’t hesitate. “The number one issue is access to funding,” she says. “Entrepreneurs want capital injections to scale, but funding requires preparation. You need proper financial management, real-time record keeping, separation of personal and business funds, and regulatory compliance. Without that, you’re not ready.”
She adds that compliance is a recurring theme. “Are you filing your annual returns? Are you tax compliant? If you’re producing goods, are you up to standard with Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA) or Scientific Research Council (SRC) requirements? These are the questions that determine whether a business is positioned for growth, especially for export.”
To bridge these gaps, JBDC leans on partnerships. “We’re not just guiding clients, we’re linking them to COJ, TAJ, JAMPRO, HEART, BSJ whoever they need to get to the next step. Sometimes that’s even something as simple as a Food Handler’s Permit, or as big as preparing for export,” Bailey-Carey explains.
Sociology & Business Development
Interestingly, business development wasn’t Bailey-Carey’s first career path. With a first degree in Political Science and a Master of Science in Sociology (Social Policy emphasis) from UWI Mona, her foundation was in research and policy.
“I actually started at JBDC in 2017 as a BDO/Research Assistant,” she recalls. “The transition was seamless because research and project management are critical in business development. When a client comes in with an idea, you have to understand the industry, the regulatory landscape, and the competition. That’s research. That’s strategy.”
So why does she stay in business development? “Because it’s bigger than the entrepreneur alone,” Bailey-Carey says with conviction. “When an entrepreneur succeeds, they’re building for their family, their community, and creating employment. They’re leaving a legacy that can evolve and scale over time. That’s what motivates me.”
For Bailey-Carey, the true reward lies in seeing transformation. “It’s rewarding when a client does their market testing and their products land on supermarket shelves. Or when they’re able to export. Or when they access funding to build out their labs. That’s when you know you’ve made an impact,” she shares.
She lights up as she recalls recent client wins. “One of my clients got her BSJ certification for a product after working with us; that was a proud moment. Another client had funds reserved for her through a DBJ (Development Bank of Jamaica) programme. Once she fulfils the requirements, her business will scale nationally and regionally. Those wins are life-changing.”
Located at the Fairview Shopping Centre (Unit 18, Building 10), the JBDC Business Centre is backed by a team of 4 Business Coaches ready to serve you. With team members – Aneita Williams, Camesha Shirley, and Camaletta Maxwell, Charlieanna Bailey-Carey is supported by experts, each with 20 years or more experience building businesses.
Entrepreneurs in St. James and Trelawny can visit the JBDC St. James Business Centre in Montego Bay, where the team is ready to take your business ‘From Concept to Market’. Walk-in or book a consultation by calling 876-953-4477/ 876-577-2691. For more information visit our website at www.jbdc.net.
