Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

When one talks about movers and shakers in Jamaican entertainment, the name Yolan Zanders always comes up. Having made her name as the marketing manager of VP Records, Zanders is taking steps on her own as an entrepreneur, leaving VP and forming her own company.

Having moved from New York to establish the Jamaican base of VP Records four years ago, Zanders officially completed her last day at the company on Tuesday, December 16. When The Sunday Gleaner spoke with Zanders recently, she said "I just wanted to start my own thing, my entertainment consultancy firm and to start a family, 'cause my job took up a lot of my time.

"I'm always working. Also, the industry is experiencing significant and exciting changes, which offer many avenues for innovation and new business opportunities of which I would like to take advantage. I believe I can only do this in a real and meaningful way if I am the captain of my own ship."

Firm's name

Zanders has aptly named her new firm - which will deal with events planning, radio promotions and more - Zanders, Harrison and Associates.

Zanders has years of experience in the entertainment business, having started out by working alongside Olivia 'Babsy' Grange at SPECS-SHANG Muzik in Jamaica, where she worked with artistes such as Cobra, Patra and Shabba Ranks.

After working with Grange, Zanders moved on to work with Peter Couch, after which she moved to New York and worked with Shaggy. She also had a stint with Madhouse Records then moved on to the Royalty Network Inc, a music publishing company in New York, before settling with VP Records.

"I have been so fortunate, 'cause all the bosses I've had have been so good to me; they have always treated me good. They have all been people who have taught me things and who I have learnt from," she said.

Zanders applied all the lessons she learnt when she assisted in forming VP Records in Jamaica. What would have seemed a daunting task for many wasn't difficult for Zanders, as she said the industry welcomed her with open arms. And now the entrepreneur is again stepping out and creating something new.

Went to church

"My own firm is really something I started thinking about for a while, and when I said I was gonna do it I was like scared every day, but determined. But then, when I was on vacation I went to church and prayed about it and asked them to pray for me and came to the conclusion that I had to do it. VP has been good to me; it's a good job and I can't complain," Zanders said.

Outside of the entertainment fraternity, the vivacious Zanders has a more personal loving side, one which sees her hanging out with her younger brother, nephews, cousins and children. In addition to wanting children of her own, after the launch of her new firm, Zanders is also looking to open a baby store.

"I want to take a good year to plan a nice baby store, which is nice but cost-effective clothes- wise."

Zanders said in the future she would be exploring other business ventures not directly associated with the entertainment industry.