By Al Edwards, Business co-ordinator
From left, president of the Small Business Association of Jamaica Ms. Andrea Graham; Ms. Dena Davis of Solid Life & General Insurance Co.; Mrs. Nichola Greig-Madden of the Knutsford Court Hotel and Mrs. Jennifer Samuda of Jencare Skin Farm were all awardees at thePSOJ's job creation awards held yesterday at the Terra Nova hotel, St. Andrew. Ms. Graham was the special guest speaker at the function. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
THE NINTH PSOJ Job Creation Awards Ceremony sponsored by Cable & Wireless was held at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston yesterday.
This month's awardees were Jencare Skin Farm, Knutsford Court Hotel, Palace Amusement Company and the small business awardee, Solid Life & General Insurance Brokers. This month's special guest speaker was President of the Small Business Association of Jamaica, Ms. Andrea Graham.
Ms. Graham focused on the formalistion of small businesses and to this end said: "Too many small businesses are not formalised. While at the SBAJ we do our part in ensuring that this is done; within the membership one becomes unpopular when this sermon is preached.
"I am calling on big businesses to establish a fund to educate and inform the smaller business people as to the benefit of being formally registered. It is worthy of note that most of these smaller firms are customers and clients of the bigger businesses, wouldn't you agree that it is therefore in the best interest of the more established operations to ensure that the smaller businesses improve their standard of operation, their productivity, and profitability.
"Specifically, the commercial banks which have been making good profits at the expense of the small business people and are among the most uncooperative in providing small business people with training, research and guidance.
"A new paradigm is required as such we encourage the banks along with other big businesses to review their approach and their offerings to the small businesses so that prosperity may extend to a larger portion of the population."
THE AWARDEES
Jencare Skin Farm (Mrs. Jennifer Samuda)
Jencare Skin Farm was established in 1990 and operates a skin care clinic and manufacturing plant for the production of its cosmetic and skincare product line, Jencare. The company is managed by a four member board of directors with the wife and husband team of Jennifer and Lloyd Samuda overseeing the daily operations.
Knutsford Court Hotel (Mrs. Nichola Greig-Madden)
The former Sutton Court Hotel was purchased by the Hendrickson family in December 2001. After a seven month major refurbishment programme, it is now a totally upgraded property, with 180 newly decorated rooms and suites, centred around a garden courtyard. The Melting Pot restaurant seats 120 and offers Caribbean and international cuisine. Expanded and upgraded banquet facilities over 10,000 square feet of space. The Knutsford Court Hotel is just a few minutes walk from the main business, financial and shopping district of Knutsford Boulevard.
Palace Amusement (Mrs. Gillian Crosskill)
Palace Amusement's business is the operation of cinemas and the distribution of motion pictures throughout Jamaica and Grand Cayman. It owns and operates seven cinemas, which have fifteen screens- nine in Kingston and four in Montego Bay. It distributes for all of the major motion picture companies in the United States as well as some independent distributors in Trinidad. Palace Amusement has approximately 170 shareholders and 200 employees.
Small Business Awardee: Solid Life & General Insurance Company (Ms. Dena Davis)
Solid Life & General Insurance Brokers was formed in March 1998 and is one of a small and unique group of brokers which market the complete range of insurance products and services. A field force of 20 Account Executives are responsible for the marketing, sale and servicing of products. Specific services of financial, educational, retirement, estate planning and risk management advice is also provided. In the past year, twelve new employees have been hired. (See story on page D5).
