ISSUE 6 MARCH 2015
iAspire -
Melanie Levy, Candy Craze
Think about it? How many times have you been told that you can have your fill of as many guilty pleasures you can find? Well, Melanie Levy has incorporated almost every kid's sweet-tooth dream and unleashed the child in every adult with her fun loving staff and sweet treats at Candy Craze Candy Bar and Creamery. Find out more about Melanie and her "raving fans" in this issue of the iAspire.
1. How long have you been in operation? I've been in operation just over a year. December made it a year, so a year and two months. 2. Give us a brief history of your corporation and how you got started. Well I've always had a sweet tooth. I love candy, I love sweets and I love ice cream. There was a void... meaning there wasn't a place apart from the pharmacy or the supermarket where I could get candy. But they didn't have the variety or the quality of candy that I'm used to. I went to school in Canada, I've travelled and this gave me access to all varieties of sweets which peaked my interest and made me a candy/chocolate connoisseur. I figured that other people in Jamaica felt the same way so I decided to combine the things that I love (candy, chocolate, ice cream) in one space and that's how I came up with Candy Craze Candy Bar and Creamery.
3. What difficulties did you encounter in the beginning phases? Staffing! Finding people I can trust, finding people that care, finding people who are dedicated, willing to learn and open minded to customer service. Candy Craze is all about the experience and because of that I needed people who were fun and outgoing so it then became a matter of training my staff. The level of customer service you experience at Candy Craze I'd like to say you really don't experience it anywhere else. It's just a mindset, that's how I look at things, every customer is treated special every customer is told "Hi! Welcome to Candy Craze!" and "Have a Sweet Day!" You know what I mean, that's a huge part of who we are and finding the right people for the job was very difficult. Also the ups and downs of starting a business in Jamaica; going through all the paperwork and getting everything registered and doing everything the right way. I've never started a business before so there was definitely some challenges that came along with that. I was fortunate enough to have my husband's love and support. He runs his own company with his dad so he was very familiar with the proper procedures I needed to follow. We also had a huge network of friends who had businesses and were great with giving guidance.
4. Tell us about the services offered at Candy Craze. Candy Craze Candy Bar and Creamery is Jamaica's first premium candy store. We have over two hundred different types of candy and chocolate. We also have sugar free candy and chocolate. We offer ice cream and sorbet, we have Jamaica's first Cold Stone slab where you can actually smash toppings into your ice cream like Kit-Kat, Snickers, Nutella, Pound Cake; it's like creating a new flavour. We can customise everything here for baby showers, bridal showers, candy bouquets, candy buffets, corporate events. Yep, we pretty much do everything!... sweet related (chuckles). 5. Tell us about the technology you use to drive your business and how it has helped to make the service you provide efficient. Technology, Ahm... I have a really good POS system, it's like an iPad, it's really compact and it helps to give my store that sleek look I'm going for. It captures all my customer's data which I use for email blasts informing them of any specials and discounts at the store. I use Social Media extensively to promote Candy Craze
on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the handle @mycandycraze. We also have a loyalty app, It's called Loyal Blocks and you can download it from any app store. Once downloaded, you can open the app, select Candy Craze, after your ninth visit to Candy Craze, having purchased at least $500 worth of candy or ice cream your tenth visit is free! Plus, how can I forget LIME internet and telephone services? 6. How do you ensure a strong customer base? My staff. My team. I always call my staff my team members, you are only as strong as your weakest link. I tell my team that people will remember Candy Craze by the experience you give them. I want raving fans of Candy Craze. What is a raving fan? Someone who leaves Candy Craze and cannot stop talking about Candy Craze to all their friends. That's what I want my team members to give to our customers, over the top song and dance, an experience that embodies what Candy Craze is, a culture of fun and happiness. (Melanie sings the Candy Craze Song) "Come along to Candy Craze we have happiness here for you-oo-ooo! Grab a bag and pick your choice, oh we have ice cream too!..."
7. Do you have any advice to new entrepreneurs? The truth is, as an entrepreneur, you need to surround yourself with like-minded people. It deďŹ nitely helps if you are around persons who went and are going through the same or similar experiences to your own. Forming that network of support is very important. This is the forum to share and receive knowledge and information and to have a support system. Being an entrepreneur can be a very lonely road so
don't be afraid to put yourself out there and ask questions. You might think that whatever you have to say or ask is ridiculous, but you have to ask it to know so don't be afraid. Be true to yourself, listen to yourself, believe in yourself, be motivated constantly. A lot of people will tell you that it's a rough economy. But if no one invests in Jamaica then who will? This is your country, this is where you live. You have to invest in your future. Go hard or go home. Be bold, take risks and trust in yourself. Know that if you fall short, It's not how you start but how you ďŹ nish, it's about how you pick up the pieces after you fall down. Be conďŹ dent in your brand and what you want to achieve. 8. Besides your work what do you enjoy the most? I love reading inspirational books and attending inspirational seminars. Apart from that I love going to dinner with my husband and chilling with friends over a glass of wine.
Peer To Peer Howard McIntosh, HMCL Consulting
Howard McIntosh has been actively involved in local football since 1994, working with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) where he now serves as the Chairman of the technical committee. "Big Mac's"sterling contribution as company secretary for the Professional Football Association of Jamaica, founding/board member of the Premier League Clubs Association plus a close association with Portmore United and Real Mona football clubs, vividly displays that football for Howard is a life's work. Which is why it came as no surprise when Mr. McIntosh was appointed to the staff of football's world governing body FIFA, as a development officer for the CONCACAF region. Find out how Howard scores a hat-trick in the game of life in this issue of Peer to Peer!
“I always felt that my greatest asset was not my physical ability, it was my mental ability.”
– Bruce Jenner
Howard McIntosh has always aspired to etch an indelible mark in Sport, Entertainment and Global Socio-Economic well being as an investment/strategic advisor, consultant and a sport & event specialist. This FIFA development Officer for the South-east Caribbean, holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BBA from Howard University. Having held senior management positions with Citigroup (Jamaica), Continental Bank (Chicago) and the First National Bank of Chicago, Howard then became the C.E.O of HMCL Consulting which is responsible for the marketing and strategic development for a number of corporate and government entities.
McIntosh credits football for playing a pivotal and critical role in his life. He asserts that it was through his exposure and experience in football, he developed a structured approach to life with regard to planning, preparation and effort necessary to succeed. So when the iAspire asked how does one transcend from an investment banker to the FIFA D.O., Howard responded confidently. “Well it’s not as difficult as you may think. At first, it was the pursuit of a job in banking and finance and then the pursuit of a passion for sport and music. Everyone should aspire to somehow link their passion with how they earn a living.”
Music and Sport are not only passions for Howard McIntosh, they are the two things that relaxes him the most. They are also two of the things that helps him help others succeed. “I have a particular love for Jamaican, Caribbean and fused music and I especially appreciate Anita Baker – without apology. I was in a band – Black Revolutionaries – in high school, which included the Mystic Revealers drummer – Nicholas Henry. (Smiling)… I am a selector of mean order, having been a DJ through my involvement with Body Guard sound system as co-owner. I am also a founding director of several entertainment and sporting bodies and events such as the, Sports Development Foundation, Jamaica Reggae Industry Association and the Jamaica Invitational Track and Field Meet, which are testaments to the roles of music and sport, as passions of mine, contributing significantly to my journey. Set a vision for yourself and act on it.” “Success Is No Accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing.”
- Pele
“FIFA stands f discipline, res fair-play, not just o field of play, but in our as well.”
- Joseph S. Bla FIFA Presid
Howard carries on a lifetime romance with football for leisure, education and business. He started playing schoolboy football at the Manning Cup level for St. Georges College and from there he was awarded a scholarship to attend and play football for Howard University. He then played and coached
for the Chicago Jets and for Washington DC Strikers. “I’ve been a player, coach and director for Real Mona Football Club and a director/shareholder with Portmore United. I was also a part of the original investor group in the Kingston Lions that participated in the first Caribbean Professional League. I have held several positions at the
for spect, on the r society
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Jamaica Football Federation and was part of the administrative team which saw Jamaica qualify for its first FIFA World Cup, France 1998.”
states – To whom much is given, much is expected. I believe in role models like myself for the average Jamaican child, as like Gandhi said, the measure of a society is how it treats its weakest members.”
Family, good friends and assisting others to succeed are the most important elements to Howard McIntosh. He believes that there is nothing more important than family and friends; as they provide the foundation to your life. He also cites that it is imperative to give back to community, country and others that may need your help. “As the quote made popular by John F. Kennedy, which originates from Luke 12:48,
When we asked Howard what grounded him on his journey to success he responded saying “Dominoes…(laughing)… Dominoes are a tremendously bad, good habit for peace of mind, camaraderie and being astute whether I am playing or watching for hours. Everything is discussed at all levels at the domino table. A domino game breeds profound sayings, life advice and sometimes tomfoolery.”
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Meet the Team! – Stacy-Ann Burke At LIME, we go to great lengths to ensure that our customers and their business needs are met by the highest quality service. Each and every one of our employees represent the spirit of our company: driven, determined and committed. With diverse experience and skill sets to produce not just an effective workforce, but a well-rounded, talented and complementary team; LIME is here to serve you better. In this issue of the iAspire, meet our Pre-Sales Engineers.
Name: Stacy-Ann Burke Position: Pre-Sales Engineer Something about Me: I have a MSc. in Computer-Based Management Information Systems. Additionally I am a specialist in Avaya Professional Design for Unified Communication, Contact Center, Video Conferencing, Cisco IP Telephony, Routing and Switching. Who are Pre-Sales Engineers?: We work in partnership with sales as a technology advisor to customers. Our functions include: identify customer requirements (which includes uncovering additional needs); design product set to meet those requirements; evangelize the proposed solution; adjust the solution necessary for the customer. Pre-Sales Engineers also manages the relationship with customers at a technical level by responding to support questions, on site requirements evaluation, proof of concepts and architecture.
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(ABOVE) Sir Richard Lapthorne, Chairman (CWC Plc), Andrew Holness, Opposition Leader. (BELOW) William Mahfood - PSOJ President, Chris Dehring Chairman of LIME and Sandra Falconer (Senator)
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This month’s fea Cable and Wire visit to Jamaica, for 2015 and t Kingston and Mo
(RIGHT) Garry Sinclair, Managing Director for LIME, LIME Hostess Nneka Gammon, Sean Latty and William Mahfood, PSOJ President
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ature are a few highlights from the eless Communications Plc board’s , the first PSOJ Presidential Forum the CWC My Business launch in ontego Bay
(ABOVE) (ABOVE) Grace Silvera, Phil Bentley, CEO of CWC Plc and Sandra Falconer (Senator) (BELOW) Sir Richard Lapthorne, Chairman of Cable and Wireless Communications, Mark Kerr Jarrett, Lime Board Director, Garry Sinclair, Managing Director for LIME
Samuel Heron, Technical Manager at SPC Solutions, O'Rane Gray, IT Manager at CB Group and Bernard Campbell, Pre Sales Engineer at LIME go through features of the new OneVoice technology.
Winsome Witter, COO, General Satellite Networks listens attentively to Wayne Atwell, Regional Sales Manager LoopUp as he shows her some of the LoopUP services oered through LIME
Ricky Garcia (left) of Blackberry explains features of the Blackberry BES tool to Andrew Pairman, CEO of Intelligent Multimedia Ltd at the LIME MyBusiness Seminar at the Knutsford Court Hotel on Tuesday.
Anthony Monaro, Director of SME at C & W Business Solution explains in more detail how LIME's business solutions can beneďŹ t businesses, to Donna Miller, Manager for HR & Support Services at Fos Rich
(ABOVE) Ramon Lopez, Marketing Director at C & W Business solution and Norman Naar (right) Head of LIME Business talk about the success of the LIME MyBusiness Seminar. (RIGHT) Michelle Belnavis from MapCo Printers listens keenly as Kevin Garvey, Surveillance Manager of Dekal Wireless explains the beneďŹ ts of the Dekal Wireless camera system