The Entrepreneur Weekly has been spotlighting businesses across the island. After Hurricane Melissa struck in October 2025, its definitely not business as usual in western parishes like Hanover. Many are picking up the pieces and finding ways to move forward. From Morant Point to Negril Point, one thing remains certain, business is the catalyst for growth in Jamaica. This week we travel to the second smallest parish in Jamaica – Hanover.
Hanover lies to the west of St. James and to the north of Westmoreland. It is the home of historic sites like the Tryall Estate and Fort Charlotte. With lush hills, golden beaches, it’s a captivating destination. Lucea, the capital, is a vibrant town known for its markets, festivals, and delicious Jamaican cuisine. Since the mid-18th century, Hanover was the hub of an important sugar-growing region. Today, that spirit of commerce still lingers.
That spirit has birthed Creative Stylez by Nats. Natalie Newman-Wilson the owner, started this business from a personal struggle. “I actually started Creative Stylez by Nats from one of the most personal places, my own struggle with alopecia,” she explained. “When I started experiencing hair loss, it impacted my confidence.” She stopped relaxing her hair and experimented with natural remedies like rosemary, coconut oil and castor oil. As her hair gradually recovered, people began asking what she was using. “That’s when I realised my journey could help others,” she said.
She later completed certified courses in organic hair and skincare to strengthen her formulas and approach. Today, Creative Stylez by Nats offers natural hair and skincare products made with ingredients Natalie grew up trusting: Jamaican Black Castor Oil, rosemary, mint, coconut oil and other herbs.
Natalie connected with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) when she began seeking guidance on formalising her business and improving product development. “I wanted to make sure Creative Stylez by Nats was ready for growth, compliant with industry standards, and positioned for larger opportunities.”
Like Natalie, many entrepreneurs in the parish experience challenges growing their business. According to Meneve Malcolm-Gayle Business Development Officer at the JBDC Westmoreland Business Centre, “Not being consistent with record keeping; starting businesses without adequate market research; Access to funding; unavailable collateral to offer for loans; cash flow crunches, indebtedness, limited marketing and promotions; inadequate resources to scale,” are some of the issues MSMEs are facing in the parish.
That’s where the BDO steps in. Though the JBDC Business Centre is located in Westmoreland, her reach extends into Hanover, where she meets entrepreneurs at community events, mobile clinics, and via one-on-one sessions arranged through local partners.
“We guide them to start small if needed even with a simple record book and then build from there,” she explains. From enrolling budding entrepreneurs in JBDC’s Fundamentals of Business training to connecting them to the Tax Administration of Jamaica’s Education Unit, Meneve works to put MSMEs in a position where they can approach financiers with confidence.
The BDO, who is a native of Westmoreland, the neighbouring parish, notes that, “With the advent of Melissa, the agricultural landscape may be floundering”. However, agro-processing, agriculture, manufacturing, gift and craft businesses, and tourism-related businesses do well in the parish.
If you are an entrepreneur Hanover or Westmoreland, you can access JBDC services through the JBDC Westmoreland Business Centre, located at MJ Bingham’s Complex, Dunbar’s River, Savanna-la-Mar. We act as a resource centre for entrepreneurs by answering queries, providing information such as details about the business environment that business owners need to know about. The Centre provides training, coaching and advisory services for anyone looking to move their business from concept to market. Walk in, book a consultation at www.jbdc.net, or call 876-918-1333.
