The inaugural Jamaica Observer Mogul in the Making start-up programme culminated with Glad Helpers, Jamaicansmusic.com and C & E Innovational Services walking away as the “Ones to Watch”.
The programme, which is aimed at highlighting young businesses that embody the spirit of entrepreneurship while making a positive economic impact, ended at the Courtleigh Auditorium late Wednesday evening.
Glad Helpers, a cleaning service that’s owned and operated by Angelic Barrett, was chosen as the Journalists’ Choice. Barrett, who said she started her business after being unable to get suitable help, received exceptional feedback from readers in addition to impressing all the journalists involved in the selection.
Jamaicansmusic.com, which provides songs ranging from ska to contemporary dancehall and also streams live artiste sessions, is the People’s Choice after getting more than 3,500 votes online. Alex Morrissey, its owner, was unable to attend the ceremony due to unavoidable travel off-island, but sent messages to his representative and manager, Jacquie Juceam, expressing his excitement and gratitude to the programme.
C & E Innovational Services, run by Erica Wynter, was selected as Judges’ Choice, for her “creative” and “relevant” mail delivery and small business assistance units. Wynter said she’s excited that her hard work and dedication have paid off and hopes others follow suit and pursue their dreams.
The event, which was attended by four hundred invited guests and others who wrote in for tickets, allowed the 21 nominees and audience members to pose questions to a panel of distinguished business leaders.
The panel included Tina Matalon, marketing director of Restaurants of Jamaica; Michele English, Flow’s president and CEO; Adam Stewart, deputy chairman & CEO of The Jamaica Observer; Patsy Latchman-Atterbury, Vice President of Scotiabank‘s Small & Medium Enterprises unit and Christopher Berry, chairman and CEO of Mayberry Investments.
Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, through their brand, Columbus Business Solutions (CBS) and Scotiabank Jamaica, through Scotia Small Business, were the main sponsors of the event.
The three start-ups selected as “Ones to Watch” will receive complimentary one-year subscriptions to the Observer; a quarterly story in the paper and online about how their progress; mentoring, if needed, from the panel of experts; Quickbook 101 Financial Software from Scotiabank and a one-month package of digital landline and Business Class internet bundles from CBS.
Additionally, all nominees will get a year of discounted rates for print and web advertising contracts from The Observer, a workshop on “Technology for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises” from CBS and workshops on “Record Keeping and Customer Service” and “What bankers look for in an application” from Scotiabank;
The Mogul in the Making programme, which started in January, wants to fix the imbalance on the focus given to large enterprises and bring entrepreneurs from all over the island to celebrating their accomplishments and encourage others to be like them.
http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/business/Jamaica-Observer-s-Mogul-in-the-Making-turns-up-trumps_11159639
