THE MONTEGO BAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT LAUNCH: CREATIVITY: THE WAY FORWARD
The core principles that stem the backbone of entrepreneurship is creativity and innovation. On March 24, 2017 members of the Faculty of Hospitality doing the course Small Business Management: Hospitality and Creative Studies (formerly Entrepreneurship) under the supervision of Sonia Doctor Small initiated the Montego Bay Community College Business Launch 2017. The Launch was held under the theme “Creativity: The Way Forward”.
The members were given the task to cogitate a business idea that will appeal to any viable focus group. They were charged with the task to tap into their creative wells and devise a product. This product should be authentic, marketable and appealing. A part of the assignment also include establishing a business for the product and launching such business.
Doctor Small maintained that this project was a part of their course grade and the students out did themselves. On the day of the launch, booths and stalls were erected on the multipurpose court on the Montego Bay Community College grounds. The booths were well decorated and the students threw out their uniforms and transferred into professional attires. Some groups decided to go the extra mile and got shirts with the logo of their companies inscribed. Coco Jomms, one of the groups present at the launch, constructed a mini massage parlor to extend the appeal of their product.
The programme was moderated by a student taking the course, Cooren Norman (from the group Custom Nation). The guest speaker, however missing in action, was represented by the college’s own Mr. Bernard. He shared a few words on entrepreneurship and how necessary creativity is to entrepreneurial success. Kelsey Keane and Toni-Anne Gayle performed a wonderful rendition of Miley Cyrus’ ‘The Climb’. To officially commence the launch, the ribbon was cut by the Press Club’s Faculty Advisor, Ms. K. Buchanan on behalf of the principal, Dr. Maureen Nelson.
The ingenuity of these students was employed in the products created, ranging from items of culinary status to fashion items and bath and body articles. The culinary groups included: Jack’s Spice it up, Mookies, Island Barz, Authentic Jamaican Delicacies and Tek a Bite. Some groups however, decided to delve into the world of fashion and these groups were: Pro Fashioners, Ella y el Accessories, Jewelry Dinks and Wyns Jewellery.
To relieve some of the stress and tension associated with the world of school and work and to combat the high prices of organic and divine bath and body products, groups such as Coco Jomms and Maluho created a business that appealed to individuals who want to indulge in spa-like pleasure at their own beck and call. Groups such as Custom Nation,Franzk Decor and Su’schanks Book Covers and Unique Holders appealed to the individuals with a passive artistic nature. They provided individuals with customized items to decorate items such as books and also items for home decor.
The students tapped into their creative pockets and allowed fellow Montego Bay Community College students an insight into their developing entrepreneurial skills. Members of the College were given the opportunity to peruse the products and make purchases. It was a well-planned event and commendations are being extended to Dr. Small, lecturer in charge and to all the members of the respective businesses.
Press Club
The Montego Bay Community College