The Inspiring Journey of Ricardo Allen

Meet Ricardo Allen. His story begins with a challenging childhood, as at the tender age of eight, he faced the emotional upheaval of his father abandoning him and his mother.

This pivotal moment shaped his outlook on life and education.

“I came to Kingston, and my journey was to find my own path without a biological father,” he tells JIS News.

Despite the absence of a traditional paternal figure, Ricardo found guidance in an unexpected mentor – late businessman and philanthropist, R. Danny Williams.

Mr. Williams, who became a father figure to Ricardo, played an instrumental role in his development.

“He taught me how to use the knife and fork. He taught me everything I know,” Ricardo fondly recalls.

This mentorship was foundational, igniting a passion for learning and teaching that would later fuel his entrepreneurial ambitions.

After graduating from the University of the West Indies with a degree in Actuarial Sciences, Ricardo began his career at Sagicor.

However, it was his relationship with Mr. Williams that inspired him to pursue something greater.

“Danny always said to me, ‘Why am I writing a résumé? Write a business plan,’” he shares.

This advice propelled him into the world of entrepreneurship.

With Mr. Williams’ encouragement, Ricardo crafted his first business plan and secured initial funding.

“I went to him and pitched to him first, and he gave me $1,000,000,” he says with pride.

This early success laid the groundwork for what would become One on One Educational Services, a company dedicated to personalised education for students in Jamaica.

The inception of One on One was fuelled by Ricardo’s desire to make a difference in children’s lives through education.

“We started with one child… [then] five [the] next year, 20, 100; now, we just keep growing,” he tells JIS News.

Ricardo’s innovative approach involved tutoring students in Math and creating engaging content that resonated with young learners.

In 2013, he faced a significant turning point when he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study abroad.

Yet, driven by his commitment to education in Jamaica, he made the bold decision to decline the scholarship.

“I want every child in Jamaica learning in a personalised way,” Ricardo says emphatically.

Despite early successes, the journey was not without its hurdles.

In 2016, One on One encountered financial difficulties that threatened its growth.

“I ran out of money…. we were spending so much money developing content and software,” Ricardo admits.

In this moment of crisis, he turned, once again, to Mr. Williams for guidance.

“Danny directed me to the DBJ (Development Bank of Jamaica),” Ricardo says, adding that with their support, he secured crucial funding that enabled him to develop software aimed at personalising education further.

This software has since generated significant revenue and expanded its reach across many countries.

Today, One on One is valued an impressive $2 billion and operates in 10 countries, including recent expansions into the United States .

Ricardo’s vision has always been clear: leverage technology to provide personalised learning experiences for students worldwide.

“We created a vision for AI (Artificial Intelligence) 10 years before ChatGPT,” he notes.

Ricardo’s innovative spirit continues to drive the company forward as they explore new avenues for growth and development.

His commitment to harnessing local talent is evident, as he emphasises the importance of grooming young minds in Jamaica: “We leverage local talent… we export their minds,” he says.

Ricardo Allen stands as a testament to how mentorship can change lives and create opportunities for future generations.

His journey from a boy without a father figure to a successful Chief Executive Officer is not just inspiring, it is a call to action for men everywhere to embrace their roles as mentors and leaders.

“Danny did not go to formal college… but I want to be like him,” Ricardo reflects on his mentor’s impact on his life.

This sentiment encapsulates the essence of International Men’s Day, celebrated annually on November 19.

It is a celebration of men who inspire others through their actions and dedication.