Amanda Briscoe (left), a prefect at the Norman Manley High School makes a point to Mrs. Jacqueline Shaw-Nicholson (right), Training Co-ordinator at JN Small Business Loans as Natsena Dawkins, Head Girl (second right), and Mario Galbert, Head Boy at Norman Manley High School listen. They were at the Jamaica Stock Exchange 8th National Investor Education Week held at the Jamaica Pegasus recently. The aim of the event was to provide information on financial markets.
Jacqueline Shaw-Nicholson, training officer at the JN Small Business Loans (JNSBL), urged students considering entrepreneurship as a career not to quit despite the challenges they may face especially in the early stages.
She was one of the presenters at the 8th National Investor Education Week, of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, which took place at the Jamaica Pegasus, recently, under the theme “Financial Knowledge the Key to Wealth Creation.”
“Being an entrepreneur is hard work; but, I am encouraging you to consider owning your own businesses,” she advised students. “In the early stages it can be very challenging; but, I am urging you not to quit. And, you must work hard, because it will pay-off in the end. I also implore you to develop the ‘stick-to-itiveness’ to go through the difficult periods. Many successful businesses in the world today started small; and, the owners had to go through difficulties. Therefore, I implore you to remain determined and you will also succeed.”
Focusing on the area of, “Preparing to do Business,” Mrs Shaw-Nicholson informed the students about the steps they needed to take to start a business.
“Invest time to develop a business plan it will be your road map. However, having a business plan is not enough you must implement it. When you are executing the plan, be prepared to make the necessary adjustments,” she advised. “Also, Consider what steps must I take and by when to achieve the goals. Don’t be afraid to tweak, if necessary.”
The training officer further informed the students that, “You should also, seek advice from mentors and counsellors, who are able to guide you and provide honest feedback. These persons have been through the process and know what it takes to succeed.”
She also reminded the students that being innovative was essential to becoming successful entrepreneurs; and added that, “openness to feedback and being focused are some of the softer skills that were needed.”
Supporting Mrs. Shaw-Nicholson, Mr Owen James, host of the Owen James Report and On a Personal Note television programmes, encouraged the students to follow the steps outlined in Mrs Shaw-Nicholson’s presentation. He added that it was important for entrepreneurs to plan ahead and invest time in understanding the requirements for the operations they wished to pursue.
The aim of the Jamaica Stock Exchange 8th National Investor Education Week was to provide information on the subject of financial markets; and to educate persons, including students, about the benefits of being listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Index.
