Photo Caption: Tabra-Kay Lindsay (left), Sales Relations Specialist at JN Bank Small Business Loans, provides advice on business loans to entrepreneurs, Janet and Lloyd Douglas during a Sickle Cell Transformative and Empowerment Programme held at the Sickle Cell Unit on June 11. Also participating in the discussion is Dr Patrice Simmonds-Brooks, STEP Forward Programme Director at the Sickle Cell Unit.
With many living with sickle cell disease facing employment challenges, the Sickle Cell Unit at The University of the West Indies organised and hosted the Sickle Cell Transformative and Empowerment Programme (STEP) for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial-minded persons living with the disease on June 11.
The initiative was designed to equip participants with practical tools to start, manage and grow their businesses to assist them with gaining economic independence, while navigating the unique challenges of living with the chronic illness.
Tabra-Kay Lindsay, Sales Relations Specialist at JN Bank Small Business Loans and one of the event’s presenters, told the participants that despite their illness, they have the potential to become successful business operators and make meaningful contributions to Jamaica’s economy. She highlighted that a key factor in sustaining and growing a business is maintaining a strong credit history through timely loan repayments.
“Once you obtain a loan, be on time with your payments and be consistent,” she emphasised, noting that prompt repayment demonstrates responsibility and reliability to financial institutions and improves one’s chances of accessing financial support from banks and microfinance institutions in the future.
Ms Lindsay also pointed out the importance of depositing all incomes as a means of building a verifiable financial record which is critical to have when applying for loans or other financial services.
“Depositing income allows for better tracking of earnings, makes budgeting and financial planning easier, and demonstrates to banks or lending institutions that the business is active and financially disciplined. This, in turn, strengthens the entrepreneur’s chances of accessing credit or investment opportunities,” she advised.
Husband-and-wife duo, Lloyd and Janet Douglas, residents of Seaview Gardens in Kingston, were among the participants who benefited from the session. As entrepreneurs who operate a small snack business, the couple welcomed the practical advice on effective business management to help strengthen and expand their operations.
Mr Douglas shared that he was prompted to explore entrepreneurship after his contract as a clerical assistant was not renewed. Despite his best efforts to find another job, he was unsuccessful. It was a casual visit to his aunt in downtown Kingston that sparked his business idea.
“I saw my aunt sitting beside a man selling peanuts. That’s how the idea came to me [to sell peanuts],” he recalled, adding that he spoke with the gentleman who provided valuable information about how to get started in the peanut business.
Determined to give the venture a try, Mr Douglas began selling peanuts in 2009 at the stoplight on Chesterfield Drive in his community. He subsequently expanded his product line to include other nuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, fruits, pastries, juices, and phone cards. He later established his brand, Lloyd’s Peanuts, and eventually, relocated the vending business to Half Way Tree, St Andrew to capitalise on better sales opportunities. He now only sells honey, various nuts and seeds, coconut cake, peanut cake, grater cake, and gizzadas.
Active behind the scenes is Mrs Douglas, who lives with sickle cell disease. She sources, prepares, and packages the goods for sale.
She pointed out that as she gets older, her sickle cell crises have reduced and are not as severe. However, she often has to deal with extreme fatigue.
“Sometimes, the energy is there but another time it’s gone, and I have to go and lie down,” she disclosed.
Despite her medical situation, Mrs Douglas remains upbeat and optimistic.
“I don’t let sickness bother me. I don’t worry about my sickness,” the devoted Christian said.
She offers words of encouragement to others living with medical conditions, urging them to pursue their business venture.
“If you love what you are doing, continue. Don’t let no form of sickness hold you down. Take your time and do what you can do and focus,” she advised.
Dr Patrice Simmonds-Brooks, STEP Forward Programme Director at the Sickle Cell Unit, explained that sickle cell disease is a genetic ailment that occurs when persons inherit abnormal haemoglobin genes from each parent which results in the production of abnormal red blood cells.
“Approximately 10 per cent of Jamaicans carry the sickle cell gene, known as the sickle cell trait. While these individuals are typically healthy, they can pass the gene to their children. Approximately 19,000 Jamaicans are living with the disease,” she confirmed.
“Sickle cell disease can significantly impact the quality of life and may limit the ability to maintain formal employment due to painful crises and complications such as leg ulcers, stroke, increased risk of infections, eye and renal disease and hospitalisations.”
Dr Simmonds-Brooks also noted that living with sickle cell disease does not define one’s potential and affirmed that entrepreneurship is for everyone regardless of health status, physical ability, or life circumstance.
As the Douglas’ look ahead, they are eager to further expand their business by adding compressed coconut oil and castor oil to their product line.
“We also want to have more than one outlet where persons can come and purchase and have persons working for us,” said Mr Douglas.
