sipping tea with me: My Business Inspiration...

Business Inspiration

I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, I have been working since high school and have never looked back, therefore I know how rewarding it is to have my own and be able to help my family. My first official job was at McDonald mobile in Port Antonio my hometown in Jamaica. However I never refused a job, from sweeping up the resource center in my community while I wait for my Aunt to take me home, to helping kids with their homework for a small fee of course, no matter how small it was I would do it.

When I came to the US for college, the harsh reality hit me that my student loan was not going to cover my total college expense only the first year now it was time to hustle or quit. I had to be resourceful to survive, and being the natural fighter that I am I did. I had a choice either go back home to Jamaica with a $20,000 usd loan or survive. I sold clothes, cooked meals in my dorm for sale, did hair, sold books, did part time jobs, as long as I could pay the bills it was game on!

All my experiences and turbulence developed my drive and character it pushed me further giving me the courage to bring my business to life. I always wanted to own a business, and now I'm a proud owner and stylist at Stella and Dot, Taco Shack a catering company in Kingston Jamaica.

What inspires me

What doesn't inspire me? my whole life has been a blessing, some would say a curse but where there is life there is hope. From the very beginning my mother had a very difficult delivery with me and my twin brother, he died and I was barely clinging to life. growing up wasn't easy either, I lost both parents and my youngest brother and when you thought life couldn't get any worst, it did!

I had influential people in my corner and I was always able to smile through it all. luckily my parents had nine of us, I got support and love from my siblings we had an unbreakable bond. I knew I didn't want to be another girl on the corner so I used my charisma and my passion for business to get jobs when I graduated high school. I got married , started a family and did my Associates degree.

After my marriage failed and my world started to collapse again I got the opportunity to study in NYC, so I pulled myself together , came to America where I finished my Bachelors and Masters degrees.

I am inspired daily by my kids, my family, friends and life. How it could have been, how I want it to be and how it will be. After all the negativity in my life, I have chosen to stay positive and keep trying!

my mother's favorite saying: " wah nuh dead, nuh dash it wey!" ~what's not dead don't throw away