Twenty-eight-year-old Rashida Rose is glad today that she was encouraged to do photography by her mathematics teacher at Vauxhall High. He had suggested that she learn the art form as a skill when she dropped out of school, pregnant.

Photography was to become one of her many strengths when she started her own business of graphic design and marketing.

Rose states that she had been working since age 11 on odd jobs to buy food and clothing, as her mother, who was employed as a household helper, found it difficult to provide for the needs of her children.

Therefore, when she dropped out of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts as a third-year voice student with no funds at age 18, it was natural for her to consider hanging her own shingle as a businesswoman offering design, production and voice in the music arena.

At Edna Manley, the single mother would deliver Dominoes pizza at nights to pay her bills and care for her son. She would then fall asleep in class during the days.

Life was hard. She had also been to Sting and Spring Break shows, but as she says, "nothing really came of it".

The time came to take her life in her own hands.

Rose decided to turn to the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBCD) programme and the Private Sector Development programme for business training. There she encountered the music and the art and film clusters which were to change her life forever.

As well as receiving training and funding through the JBCD's Building Youth for National Development (BYND) programme, she has also formed rewarding business partnerships, especially with Exodus Nuclear studios run by Father Romie and Gary.

The Works - Multimedia Digital Images was born, as was MussBuss for new artistes.

Today, use of her services brings in $1.5 million annually much of which is put right back into the business.

A $1-million grant received through the music cluster assisted her in the purchase of essential equipment. The rest came from a JBDC and Bank of Nova Scotia loan.

Her business is the product the training and mentorship received.

Services

Meanwhile, The Works - Multimedia Digital Imaging is serving as the vehicle for all her talents along with MussBuss which she describes as a promotional and developmental tool for not-yet-established artistes .

MussBuss offers voice, and performance grooming, music production and marketing packages for Jamaicans who are interested in investing in their own music and performance careers.

Packages range from a low of $45,000 with services including voice training, presentation skills, time management, contracts, marketing and tools for self-promotion including T-shirts and sneakers.

Studio time is provided through Exodus Nuclear.

Approved Music is the name of her record label. Rose says she will not produce lyrics that involve hurting or injuring anyone and has turned down work because of this principle.

While most of her income goes into paying back loans, Rose looks forward to the day when The Works will be solvent, and thanks her mentors for taking her this far along the way.

Ten years have passed but the dream, she says, is as compelling today as it was the day she first knew the road she would take.

Avia.collinder@gleanerjm.com