“My husband and I both come from farming families,” she said. “When we got married and settled in Trelawny, we realised there weren’t many fresh fruits and vegetables available, not the kind we wanted for our home. So, we started planting for ourselves.”
For Sheneika Stewart, farming was her calling. What began as a small family project soon grew into a full-fledged business – Healthy Harvest Farm. She takes an integrated farming approach producing okra, Scotch bonnet peppers, fruits, vegetables. The bees that pollinate the crops also fuel another side of the operation – apiculture. From their hives come honey and beeswax, which Shanika turns into natural deodorants, balms, and hair oils.
Like many entrepreneurs, she’s had to weather the seasons of business. “During COVID, sales were steady because everyone was ordering from home. Now that things are back to normal, it’s slower, but I know the customers are still out there. I just needed help finding them.”
That help came through the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC). Through the Jamaica 4-H Club’s REAP Builder Programme, Sheneika was introduced to the JBDC Business Centre in Montego Bay, and from there, everything started to take shape.
“No waste on the farm,” she said. “Everything has a purpose.”
“They helped me get my business back on track,” she said. “I wasn’t tax compliant and didn’t even know where to start. JBDC showed me how to register, file, and organise my operations properly. They’ve been walking me through it step by step.”
But Sheneika’s story is just one of many. Trelawny’s industries are diverse; agriculture to tourism, logistics, agro-processing, and small-scale manufacturing.
The Falmouth waterfront is alive again, drawing cruise visitors and boutique hotel guests. Across communities like Duncans, Martha Brae, and Clark’s Town, locals are finding new ways to earn from their skills and surroundings.
“Trelawny has been good to us,” she said, glancing over her fields. “The soil is rich, the rivers are close, and the people…they’re good people. We just need to tap into the resources already here.”
Business Development Officer, Charlieanna Bailey-Carey shared that both St. James and Trelawny contribute significantly to the tourism value chain.
“Along the North Coast, we see clients operating in agriculture, gifts and crafts, tour operations, and retail sales from supermarkets to boutiques,” she explained. “We also have agro-processors producing jams, jellies, natural juices, and wines, along with new entrepreneurs in the medical and service industries.”
She added that while the JBDC St. James Business Centre serves both parishes, the agency ensures that distance is never a barrier.
“We meet our clients where they are,” she said. “Many sessions are done virtually via Zoom, Teams, or even WhatsApp calls. The idea is to reduce time and travel costs while keeping support consistent.”
The JBDC also reaches clients through community events and partnerships. “Whether it’s a Business Beyond ‘Town’ outreach, a Companies Office initiative, our team is there, sensitising and connecting clients to the services they need.”
Located at Unit 18, Building 10, Fairview Shopping Centre in Montego Bay, St. James, the JBDC Business Centre is backed by a team of four business coaches ready to serve: Aneita Williams, Camesha Morrison-Shirley, Camaletta Maxwell, and Charlieanna Bailey-Carey, each with over two decades of experience helping businesses grow.
With JBDC’s presence across Western Jamaica, entrepreneurs no longer have to travel to Kingston for business development assistance. The Centre connects them directly to training, coaching, and mentorship to transform ideas into sustainable businesses.
Stewart added, “I would recommend entrepreneurs to just give JBDC a call. You’ll never know everything about business. Talk to the experts.”
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 www.jbdc.net.
