New Developments

Business is taking me overseas.

It has been a pretty hectic period but I am grateful for the possibilities.

I have given up producing the morning time show to make time to get everything else in order.

The operation is downsizing in an effort to expand at a later date.

That's all for now, till next time.

Cable & Wireless Sucks- BIG Time!

I am having very evil thoughts about that patty shop named Cable and Wireless that operates in Jamaica. These blood sucking transnationals operating in the Caribbean without regard for their customers makes me sick. Even worse is that I have shares in the company.

I wanted to add a international calling feature to my business line and they cannot because they dont have an id on the system for me even though they copied it with my application.

I originally called to get the service over the weekend but was told they dont deal with business customers over the weekend and after hours.

I just despise them.

Wholly and totally.

I wish some efficient company would buy them out so that my shares would have some real value.

Project Incubator

Things are developing nicely.

I spent the weekend steeped in the research and I was up until 2am this morning writing the treatment. I plan to finish the first draft tonight.

I have been getting good feedback.

It turns out that at least two other entities have similar ideas but I am maintaining my faith that my idea will stand out and will be a huge success financially and professionally.

I believe very strongly in this project. The idea came out of a personal need I have in my newfound situation as a business owner. I am confident that others will find it extremely beneficial. Its very close to my heart.

For once, I will be working on a project that I dont have to put a PR spin to convince myself that I like.

It's good to be able to make money off something that is meaningful. This is how work was meant to be. As Gibran wrote, "work is love made visible."

A Luta Continua

These are most interesting times.

We landed a gig to produce and handle the marketing communication of an event that is projected to be on the annual national calendar.

It is a significant undertaking on the part of our client and it requires a lot of work from us. Securing this contract means that the company will be able to make a greater mark locally, regionally, and globally.

Things may be tight now, but they will get better soon.

We are also looking to pitch at some new and emerging business prospects. I have identified a partner I can trust to help us make the connections in a market that runs primarily on connections.

I have also decided to fast track our website development. It's so ironic that even though the website was registered before the company started, we still haven't done anything with it yet. This results in me repeating myself ad nauseam when asked "so what is it that your company does." In addition to that, it looks really bad when people see that we have our own email and web server and say "oh you have a website.." and I have to let them know otherwise. Word to the wise, "Under Construction" cannot be an indefinite status.

I am also going to the drawing board to craft an idea for a programme geared towards small businesses. I will reserve details until all things are in place and the project has launched successfully.

If I have learnt anything as a new entrepreneur, it is that great ideas are best reserved until they have been made reality. I have seen so many of my own ideas stolen that it makes no sense to let the cat out of the bag. Research is necessary, but broadcast in the preliminary stages will compromise a venture. Even innocent conversation among equals can result in having someone beat to the finish line on something that YOU engineered.

Have to rush out to do some work for my professional organisation and attend to some family matters. Also have a meeting with my charity organisation late afternoon.

More later.

Eyeing the Towel

You know that phrase "throwing in the towel?" Well, to be totally honest with you, I have had my eye on it for a likkle while now. I mean... you know... just looking...at the towel... at the laundry basket...at the towel...

You get the point.

But I haven't decided to do away with the business of entrepreneurship, its just that setting up a company can be so hard in Jamaica. There are so many unnecessary obstacles that sometimes, you just eye that damn towel and grovel. But I guess that is life in general right?

I could find easier ways to earn a living and trade my dreams for a pay cheque, but having been that route, I know for certain that money does not fulfill. Not to say that I couldn't finds goals to attain with a lot of chi ching, you understand ;) - you know... the travel, real estate, and all the Indonesian furniture one trailer from Bali could hold. And still.... there is more.

I need significant capital investment in my company that has so much promise, not only for me, but for my countrymen, but the reality is that I have to concentrate on day-to-day bottom lines and that limits the ability to not only dream but actively pursue those dreams.

So I am caught between a rock and a hard place. But again, such is life.

Jamaicans are said to be many things, many of which are not true. But as a people, we have an amazing resilience in our spirit. If it tek Anancy and Brer Goat together, I will press on and find a way out.

God never give we more than we can bear.

Break a Leg

My company is contracted to produce the morning magazine show on one of the major free to air networks in Jamaica. The show went very well this morning.

It's such a blessing to be able to meaningfully touch people's lives. Viewers have been calling the station with great interest about some of the topics and interviews that I have arranged and it's good to know that I am connecting with my audience.

Today is a good day. When I have a good show, my days shines with bliss.

One Cheque Came In

Thank heavens for journeying mercies.

At least I can pay back my friend for paying my electricity bill, my mother, my father and my little brother.

And I dont have to worry about the bank repossesing my car. And my insurances policies lapsing. Or losing my self-employed pension.

Listen, I am applying for a job!

It's a short-medium term consultancy in my field and and it will allow me to pay off some of my debt so that when business is slow or cheques are late, I wont have to smoke a pack a day or worry myself into a tizick.

I feel good about it.

The day has been going well.

Give thanks.

Cheques Taking Long to Come In

So we finally have monthly income. But the billing cycle seems to be 60 days instead of 30. This turns out to be the case because cheques have been late for December and January.

At this point, we are operating on good faith and promises.

Thank heavens for friends.

I am thinking of applying for a full time short term consultancy to help to offset some of my personal expenses so that I dont drain the company or ruin my credit.

It is definitely a hard road to travel. Winding, narrow and steep. But I am growing significantly in the process.