Jheanell Miller dreams about owning a home and a car, one day; and, therefore, she plans to save the $50,000 she won from the JN Small Business Loans’ “Ready, Set, Repay,” promotions to go towards achieving her dream.
Miss Miller won first prize in the promotion, which ended recently and rewarded some 25 JNSBL clients for repaying their loans consistently and in a timely manner during a six-month period; and, at the same time, influenced others to develop a systematic approach to their weekly loan obligations.
“I plan to save the money. I want a car and a house and this will help me to get started,” said Miss Miller, one of the tree top winners.
Miss Miller, who operates a meat shop in Portmore, St. Catherine, has been a JNSBL client for the past seven years. “I was so excited when I got the call,” she said. “At first I didn’t believe I had won; but, later I realised that it was true. And, I am truly happy I won.”
Second place winner, Sally Barrett, is also planning to invest her winnings by putting the funds back into her business. She has been operating a grocery shop in Rhinesbury, Clarendon for the past 25 years.
“It was a small board shop; and then I built a concrete one. I plan to put the money I won back into the business, therefore, I will be buying goods to extend the products I sell,” a very pleased JNSBL client related.
“There are stories about people calling to tell others that they win something and I didn’t believe it. But, I gave my daughter the phone to speak to the lady. Afterwards, I called Mr. Howard Clarke, a JNSBL Client Relations Officer; and he confirmed that I had won. So, finally I believed,” a confident Miss Barrett said.
Similarly, third place winner Winsome Simpson, who operates a snack counter at a school in Rose Hall, St. Elizabeth for the past 15 years, intends to put her $20,000 prize money back into the business, by purchasing additional snacks items.
Miss Simpson then explained that she almost damaged her phone as a result of the euphoria she felt when she heard about her good fortune.
“I was in the canteen and I almost threw away the phone. I was so excited. So I asked if I was the first place winner and the person said no I was the third; but, I was happy nonetheless,” she said.
Philip Bernard, General Manager, JNSBL said while the aim of the promotion was to reward clients, it was also designed as part of the company’s new client relationship strategy.
“We wanted our clients to appreciate that it is to their benefit to manage their business in a professional manner, and repaying their loans based on the agreed terms is part of that process,” he explained, “We believe in them; and, therefore, this was our way to continue to build the rapport that we have had with them.”
The Ready, Set, Repay promotions ran from October 1, last year to March 31 of this year. The competition rewarded clients who paid their loans on time during the six-month period. A total of 23 persons, who met the requirement were also randomly chosen to receive call credit; and the top three winners were randomly selected, by way of a draw.
