Things Jamaican 55th Anniversary Supplement (Sunday, October 14, 2018) - Jamaica Observer

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THINGS JAMAICAN™

Brief History

The name Things Jamaican has been synonymous over the years with quality Jamaican-made art and craft products.

Established in the 1960’s by the then government and the Social Development Commission, the main purpose was to bring structure to the craft industry in Jamaica. Its main functions were to: 1. Re-organize craft development in Jamaica 2. Promote the craft sector through research, design and marketing of high quality Jamaican hand-made products for both the local and tourist markets 3. Operate as a commercially viable entity. To this end a training center was established at Bumper Hall on Spanish Town Road which housed six (6) productions units with a focus on wood, pewter, straw, leather, weaving and ceramics. From this facility local artisans were trained in these six primary areas and production output to the market was greatly improved, whilst providing income for these persons.

Over time, however, the Bumper Hall operations closed down.

In 1996 the JAMPRO Productivity Centre embarked on opening Nanny’s Yard Retail outlet at Devon House, Kingston. This retail outlet showcased the best of Jamaican home, gift and craft items by Jamaican artisans presented in new and innovative ways to locals and overseas visitors. This outlet became a model for many other retail outlets locally which sought to promote products made in Jamaica in a new and refreshing way encompassing a total shopping experience and tantalizing all the senses.

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JBDC Following the closure of the Things Jamaican company, the Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC) was given the managerial responsibilities of the Things Jamaican brand in April 2001 by ministerial decision and Things Jamaican was reborn. The Jamaica Business Development Centre, now Jamaica Business Development Corporation, is one of the country’s key agencies that facilitate the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jamaica.

JBDC, under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries fosters sustainable development of MSMEs by offering a host of services to its clients. These include, but are certainly not limited to, marketing and retailing services offered through the Things Jamaican chain of stores, expos, tradeshows and promotions. These services provide some producers with a marketing outlet that they would not necessarily have access to or to additional market access. For more information visit us at www.jbdc.net.

Today, under the management of the JBDC, the “new” Things Jamaican has stayed true to promoting craft development in Jamaica and to showcasing and retailing the best and highest quality gift and craft items. Promoting and building “brand Jamaica” is our main aim.

In light of the increased competition from foreign made merchandise branded ‘Jamaica’ or ‘Made in Jamaica’, Things Jamaican stores retail exclusive authentic locally made products, primarily handmade by artisans using mainly local material.

Over the past nine years Things Jamaican has established itself as one of the largest purchasers, distributors and promoters of authentic Jamaican products of the highest quality. Things Jamaican currently markets products on behalf of over 400 active suppliers island wide through our chain of three (3) locations: - Norman Manley International Airport - Devon House - JBDC Corporate The headquarters, warehouse and distribution facility of the holding company, JBDC, is located at 14 Camp Road, Kingston 4 All our products speak to an authentic Jamaican experience. The stores offer a collection of products influenced by Jamaican music, culture and history. Our range of products cover 8 main categories – Aromatherapy, Entertainment, Fashion, Fashion Accessories, Food, Home, Packages and souvenirs. Emphasis is placed on products suited to vacationers, travelers and locals who want a unique “piece of Jamaica”.

Devon House In keeping with the new gastronomy focus of the historic Devon House, Things Jamaican has once again reinvented itself by transforming this location into the country’s first authentic Jamaican

The store is anchored by its Things Jamaican’s own brand, Jamaica Harvest. The delectable ‘Jamaica Harvest’ product line includes a variety of flours made from breadfruit, pumpkin, plantain, sweet potato, banana and cassava, as well as granola cereals and bars made from yam and sweet potato, dried fruit treats such as pineapple, papaya, coconut, mango and naseberry; pepper jelly; jams made from sorrel, guava and passion fruit; teas made from sorrel, rosemary, basil lemon grass and mint; and powdered spices made from rosemary, thyme, scotch bonnet pepper and escallion – all grown and processed by Jamaican entrepreneurs.

Jamaica Harvest must create a consciousness that motivates its customers to buy the product not merely because it is another Jamaican product but because it is a Jamaican product that fits into the lifestyle of its’ customers and represent moments of nostalgia and also moments of expectancy.

Target segment includes but is not limited to: - Nationals - Jamaican / Caribbean Diaspora - Visitors to Jamaica - Expatriate community - Other – new and emerging The store also carries a range of other local gourmet , home and art brands, many of which were developed under the guidance of the JBDC’s guidance ‘From Concept to Market’.

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“All our products speak to an authentic Jamaican experience.”

specialty food store feature the following design elements: rustic yet contemporary feel, elements of old Jamaica and bold imagery.

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The “new” Things Jamaican

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“Congratulations on 55 years Things Jamaican™!”

The gift and craft sector holds a significant place in Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage. It is an industry which not only depicts the creative and manufacturing side of Brand Jamaica, but has been the pillar on which many families and communities were built.

the craft sector is also created through the sale of craft gifts and souvenir in retail outlets.

Many Jamaican children were able to attain higher education and live a better quality of life because their parents earned an income through the creation and sales of authentic Jamaican products. According to the draft Craft Policy, an estimated 9943 persons were employed in formal establishments of craft-related trades and production in 2013, declining marginally by about 1% from 10054 in 2010. An estimated 1983 self-employed craft traders were registered to operate within the 15 resort area craft sites across Jamaica as of November 2015. Employment related to

I look forward to the finalization of the Craft Policy which will guide the continued development and sustainability of the sector through collaboration and streamlining of human and financial resources as we take Brand Jamaica to the world.

The government of Jamaica realized the immense potential and impact of this sector 55 years ago and established Things Jamaican™ to reorganize craft development, promote the sector and operate as a commercially viable entity, a vision for which I must commend The Most Honourable Edward Seaga.I am pleased that the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) shared this vision and took on the yeoman’s task of leading the development of these artisans and other producersthrough product development, training and market access.

Congratulations on 55 years Things Jamaican™!

The Most Honourable Andrew Holness Prime Minister of Jamaica

“I applaud the visionary leadership of Things Jamaican™” Things Jamaican™ has played a leading role in nurturing manufacturers of authentic Jamaican products. On this occasion of its 55th anniversary, I commend the entity’s continued commitment to promoting the development of the craft industry in Jamaica.

Since being placed under the management of the Jamaica Business Development Commission (JBDC), the Government’s premier business development support agency for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), Things Jamaican has served to strengthen the reach of the JBDC in promoting and building Brand Jamaica.

Things Jamaican™ has showcased the best and highest quality of local artisan crafts and craftsmanship. The stellar discharge of its mandate has seen the provision of market access to a wide range of products in the areas of Aromatherapy, Entertainment, Fashion, Fashion Accessories, Food and much more, all inspired by our culture, music and rich traditions, infused with modern ideas and technology. The entity has adapted itself to the changing tastes and needs of the both customers and producers and is even more relevant today.

I wish to also commend Things Jamaican™ on the recent launch of True Stories Volume Two as well as Jamaican Harvest line of gourmet food, another example of the synergy with the JBDC. The establishment of the newly branded specialty food store at Devon House, the third in the chain, further attests to this synergy. I applaud the visionary leadership of Things Jamaican™ and wish the directors and staff continued success.

Honourable Audley Shaw, CD, MP Minister Of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture And Fisheries

“Culture is big business!”

Things Jamaican™ grew up with Independent Jamaica, having been established in 1963, a year after our nation gained Independence. It was former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, who was largely responsible for its establishment.

He had a unique insight and understanding of what was required for the development of craft in Jamaica and so he mandated Things Jamaican to: re-organise craft development in Jamaica; promote the craft sector through research, design and marketing of high quality Jamaican hand-made products for both the local and export markets; and operate as a commercially viable entity.

Over the past 55 years, the organisation has weaved its brand into the fabric of the Jamaican society and the name Things Jamaican is associated with quality Jamaican-made art and craft products.

Culture is big business! Our rich cultural heritage goes well beyond our shores and it is through organisations such as Things Jamaican™ that we are able to take brand Jamaica to the world and provide avenues for our people to earn from our unique creations.

As Minister for Culture, I commend the Jamaica Business Development Corporation for

staying true to the mission of Things Jamaican™ — promoting craft development in Jamaica and to showcasing and retailing the best and highest quality gift and craft items.

Your work in showcasing the best and highest quality items in food, art and craft has helped to build up Brand Jamaica as one of the strongest cultural brands in the world.

Very importantly, too, your work has provided pathways for poverty alleviation and wealth creation among some of our most creative sons and daughters. Things Jamaican™ must count as one of our nation’s success stories. You have a great legacy on which to build.

Olivia Grange, CD, MP Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport

Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) was still an infant when we took the bold step to acquire the Things Jamaican™ brand after its closure in 2001. As one of the country’s key agencies mandated to develop the Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) sector and the epicenter of innovation and creativity, we knew that the gift and craft sector had much to offer in terms of job creation, economic development and the growth of Brand Jamaica globally.

Borne out of the JAMPRO Productivity Centre, JBDC was embarking on familiar territory. We had opened the Nanny’s Yard retail outlet at Devon House in 1996. This retail outlet showcased the best of Jamaican home, gift and craft items by Jamaican artisans presented in new and innovative ways to locals and overseas visitors. This outlet, that would later become Things Jamaican™, became a model for many other retail outlets locally.

Over the years, we have continuously developed the brand consistent with the dynamism among local producers for whom we provide developmental support and market access crucial to their growth and survival. On the occasion of the celebration of the 55th anniversary of Things Jamaican™, I commend all local producers for keeping the spirit of Brand Jamaica alive through authentic creations. I thank The Most Honourable Edward Seaga for his vision in establishing the brand and the Government of Jamaica for having entrusted JBDC with the significant task of sustaining Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage in A Melting Pot of Authentic Jamaican Creations.

The 55th Anniversary celebration of Things Jamaican™ is a momentous occasion and the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) extends the heartiest of congratulations to the team on reaching this tremendous milestone.

Things Jamaican™ has made a significant impact on manufacturing, encouraging the advancement of‘brand Jamaica’ and offering quality service to the sector. They have truly built a solid reputation in the community, and the Association is proud to continue working hand in hand with both Things Jamaican stores and the parent company, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), as together we help to mold manufacturers, exportersand micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).

The JMEA remains instrumental in assisting our members with achieving world benchmarks in quality, innovation and diversity, and ensure that they are represented at all levels through advocacy and the advancement of common issues -roles we continue to perform exceptionally well. The long-term success of our renowned Jamaican brands is a testimony that the industry is thriving, as our Jamaican manufacturers and exporters tackle unprecedented world standards and remain a major driving force of Jamaica’s economy. We will continue to push for access to new markets, new business opportunities and access to affordable financing.

We wish Things Jamaican™ many more successful years as the source of craft development and being one of the largest purchasers, distributors and promotors of Jamaican products. You represent the true meaning of ‘out of many’, as you’re main the Melting Pot of Authentic Jamaican Creations.

The JMEA, again, congratulates you, as you mark 55 years of achievement.

Metry Seaga President Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA)

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Valerie Veira, J.P. Chief Executive Officer Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC)

“We wish Things Jamaican™ many more successful years”

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“A Melting Pot of Authentic Jamaican Creations”

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT 6 Head Office Team: Seated front: Chief Executive Officer, Valerie Veira & Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Harold Davis Team standing, L-R: Natricia Brown, Dawn Reynolds, Camise Mills, Vivette McFarlane, Alicia Walker, Helen Watt, Denise Dallas, Camille Hyatt-Wisdom, Janine Taylor – Manager, Marketing Services Unit & Marlene Henry Back, L-R: Haron Spencer, Wishant Glover & Balvin Rowe (Inset): Nicola Williams

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PHOTOGRAPHER: (Terry-Ann Miller)

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PHOTOGRAPHER: (Terry-Ann Miller)

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Norman Manley International Sales Team: L-R: Raquel Dean, Kelli-Ann Clarke, Shanika Brown, Ann-Marie Murray & (inset) Tonita Smart PHOTOGRAPHER: (Terry-Ann Miller)

“I love doing this. I got bored with other things, but not this.”

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“I remember my first experience seeing the sauce on the shelf.”

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FLAVOURS TO CHOOSE FROM!

Trecia Campbell has always been determined and independent. After her first job out of high school failed to meet her expectations and she still had to rely on her parents for money, she chased the dream of self- improvement all the way to CAST (now UTech), where she completed a diploma in banking and landed a job at Citizens Bank.

The next time she went to JBDC, the answer was yes, all across the board. TriCam Processors was now officially ready to go. There were some growing pains, as competition was stiff and her prices were too high. It was also tough to get her products on supermarket shelves but remember that aggression? She refused to take no for an answer, “annoying” one of the owners of Progressive Grocers until he finally took the time to taste test one of her sauces and passed it to his team to finalize distribution. “I remember my first experience seeing the sauce on the shelf. I passed it about six times in the supermarket, wondering if I’m in dreamland,” she laughed. “Every day I would go in the supermarket and everybody I see, I would introduce them to it. That’s how it started moving.”

Things plateaued after a while and Trecia’s spirits hit a new low but with some advice from a mentor at the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association, she decided not to give up. Since then, she has participated in a number of local and regional events, such as Caribbean Week of Agriculture, which was instrumental in helping her break into the Cayman Islands market. “I think that was the biggest success for me, because these are people I don’t know. They’re not friends, they don’t know my background, they don’t buy from me because they like me,” she said.

Trecia still uses the SRC facility for production but has her sights set on her own factory space down the road. Until then, she is taking advantage of every opportunity that comes her way, from a co-packing arrangement with two competitors in the event of large orders, to JBDC training courses. Despite the ups and downs, she wouldn’t change a thing: “Watching my life transform into something else was really amazing.”

True Story

ACKEE • SORREL • GINGER • PIMENTO BERRY • SUGAR CANE • NONI • PASSION FRUIT • PINEAPPLE • HONEY/ORANGE AND SOURSOP AVAILABLE AT: • All Mega-Marts Island Wide • Carbys Craft Village • General Foods Super Market in Kingston • Reggae Mart in Sangster International airport • Port of call Duty free in Norman Manley international airport

MANUFACTURED BY:

• Mac Masters in Portmore and soon Mandeville • Wayne Discount in Kingston • All Things Jamaican stores • All Rainbow Stores • Vinairs Liquor in Montego Bay

121 Duke Street Tel: 876-622-3832 876-401-4476

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Describing her drive as “aggressive,” Trecia kept upgrading her qualifications and moving up the corporate ladder for 20 years. One day, she realized her career was no longer fulfilling and she just didn’t like it anymore. “The bank was offering redundancy packages. I had applied twice and they never gave it to me,” she said. “I told them this time that I wanted to go do my masters and it is going to affect my job function, so I think it is a good time for them to give me the redundancy. I told them that I would come back and they agreed and I was made redundant.” Trecia eventually settled on the idea of going into business for herself. She and her husband have a pepper farm in Mandeville and they thought about selling crushed pepper but she became more interested in sauces after some research. She worked on a formulation with the SRC but her spirits were temporarily crushed when she took it to Marketing Services at JBDC (Things Jamaican™) for assessment and the feedback, although delivered with kindness, was that she needed to go back to the drawing board. Family members also encouraged her to try again and an uncle who owns a restaurant in New York put it plainly: “Season up yu sauce, man!”

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TRECIA CAMPBELL | Tricam

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“I feel so proud when people say Victor, you did a good job.”

VICTOR WALLACE

While doing his lifeguard job at Turtle Beach Towers in the 70s, a woman saw him wearing one of his pieces and requested one for her son. Little did Victor know, this was his beginning in a life-long business.

Opportunities and orders then came from Sandals Resort, a store called Step Inside and Things Jamaican.

“I used to use my hands to do it, so I told them I didn’t have the tools to do that big order, so they gave me a letter to go to the embassy for a visa,” said Victor. He was granted that visa and travelled to the States and bought the necessary tools.

Victor, no longer the bored lifeguard sees his business growing as far as possible.

“I change up my pieces and designs all the time. None of my designs are made for more than 2-3 years,” said Victor. “I still have some original pieces, but most designs are retired to make way for new designs,” he said. There’s an immense sense of freedom that Victor gains from his craft making, and that has helped him to never get bored with it. Through his craft, Victor can design anything he desires.

True story.

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VICTOR WALLACE

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