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Young Entrepreneur Creates Own Opportunity

By: , December 1, 2017

The Key Point:

While several young Jamaican entrepreneurs have migrated to maximise their earnings on business concepts they have created, young entrepreneur and jewellery designer, Andy Heaven, has chosen to remain in Jamaica and contribute to the development of the country.
Young Entrepreneur Creates Own Opportunity
Young entrepreneur, Andy Heaven, wearing one of his Majestí Jamaica bracelets, which was designed by him.

The Facts

  • Mr. Heaven tells JIS News that the idea of becoming an entrepreneur was not one he had in mind since childhood. It was after he became a student at UWI that it dawned on him.
  • The creation of Mr. Heaven’s designs and construction of each piece for Majestí Jamaica is done in Jamaica. His target market initially were persons aged 20 to 35; however, within the last two years, Mr. Heaven has recognised an increase in purchases from persons between 16 to 20 years of age and 40 to 60 years.

The Full Story

While several young Jamaican entrepreneurs have migrated to maximise their earnings on business concepts they have created, young entrepreneur and jewellery designer, Andy Heaven, has chosen to remain in Jamaica and contribute to the development of the country.

Although Mr. Heaven went to the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, and acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies and was employed by the University as a Sports Coordinator with the portfolio of special events and marketing, he chose to resign from his job in July and focus on his business idea, Majestí Jamaica and his family’s business, C.W. Heaven Construction.

Mr. Heaven tells JIS News that the idea of becoming an entrepreneur was not one he had in mind since childhood. It was after he became a student at UWI that it dawned on him.

“It became more certain once I came out of UWI and started a nine-to-five job. The life I wanted and for my family would not come from having a nine-to-five,” he says.

Now, he has no regrets, as he says becoming an entrepreneur has allowed him to become a better decision maker, learn to work effectively with others, learn from people, have a ‘never give in’ attitude, and handle rejection better.

It has also allowed him to set his own schedule, see how his work impacts other people’s lives, get to work and do business with people he is comfortable with and do something he likes.

Mr. Heaven registered Majestí Jamaica at age 23 in 2014, which now offers both male and female jewellery, with a primary focus on male accessories.

“The business started in my first year after completing my degree at UWI. My friend and I had a vision of opening a high-end fashion store here in Jamaica. My friend migrated and it was somewhat left up to me to either let the idea die or proceed forward. I chose to proceed forward alone,” he tells JIS News.

“However, to start, I had to scale the idea down, and I thought to myself what product line could I start with. I always had a love for arm accessories, but could never find suitable ones here in Jamaica. I started researching how to make bracelets and practised until I got the hang of the craft. I went ahead and made my first purchase of beads and made my first 20 bracelets with an investment of J$10,000,” Mr. Heaven adds.

He says, at the time, he could not have anticipated the feedback he got from a few close friends who supported him, and the help of Instagram in getting the word out about the new brand.

The creation of Mr. Heaven’s designs and construction of each piece for Majestí Jamaica is done in Jamaica. His target market initially were persons aged 20 to 35; however, within the last two years, Mr. Heaven has recognised an increase in purchases from persons between 16 to 20 years of age and 40 to 60 years.

Given that Mr. Heaven is a small business owner on the rise, he has chosen to operate from a small space outside of Jamaica’s major city to reduce his overhead costs, but has hopes for expansion.

“I operate from a virtual space outside of Kingston. It was always my intention not to have a physical store but to be present in a number of stores with small kiosks. In Kingston, we are now located at The Jamaica Pegasus Gift Shop and Kerry ManWomanHome Store,” he notes.

“Performance of the business has been good. There is steady growth, which I am appreciative of, and sales have continued to grow. They normally say you can tell whether or not a business will survive in the first five years. The goal is to build a proper foundation in five years, ensuring that we build a good base of loyal customers while creating unique accessory pieces. I continue to study the industry, and try my best to stay relevant with all the changes that take place in the fashion industry,” he says.

Mr. Heaven tells JIS News that one of his dreams is to see other youth in Jamaica and the Caribbean region open new male jewellery and fashion lines that express the inner thoughts of the nation’s youth.

“I think the Caribbean has great potential when it comes to fashion, and brands like Majesti help to put the region in focus, and the country at large,” he says.

Mr. Heaven says his daily mission is to not disappoint himself, his Creator and his family.

“We all have goals cemented in our minds with the tools and resources to make it happen. This life is like a big puzzle, and I just want to show myself that I can put the pieces together, no matter how hard the challenge or how many times I will have to try,” he tells JIS News.

Last Updated: December 4, 2017

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