For many young Jamaicans, starting a business represents much more than an opportunity to earn an income. It’s a chance to regain confidence, build independence and take control of their future. That transformation was on display when two senior representatives of Alinea International visited three small businesses established by young entrepreneurs supported through the Strengthening Access, Inclusion and Leadership for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SAIL-SRHR) project.
Sarah Schattmann, Project Director, and Tanya Salewski, Vice President, Programme Delivery, visited a poultry farm, a deli and restaurant, and a hairdressing salon to see firsthand how the project’s Social Enterprise and Business (SEB) initiative has helped young people turn their ambitions into viable enterprises. What they encountered were not simply young people operating businesses, but individuals demonstrating resilience, determination and a growing confidence in their ability to shape their own futures.
For Schattmann, one of the most striking observations was the determination of young entrepreneurs who had overcome significant personal and economic challenges. “What stood out to me most was the resilience of the young entrepreneurs. These were young people who had faced a range of challenges and vulnerabilities, and many were out of school, yet they had taken advantage of the opportunities presented to them and used the skills and knowledge gained through the SEB initiative to build something for themselves from the ground up,” she said.
Through the SEB initiative, participants received entrepreneurship training, mentorship and small grants to help establish and develop their businesses. Additionally, the Alinea International representatives noted that it was equally encouraging to see the ambition demonstrated by the young entrepreneurs. Rather than being satisfied with their current achievements, they were already exploring opportunities to expand their businesses, attract new customers and improve their financial security.
A Young Mother’s Determination to Succeed
Among the entrepreneurs visited was Aaleyah Brown, owner of Leyah’s Hair Haven and Beauty Bar. As a young single mother, Brown has been balancing the demands of raising her child while building a business that she hopes will provide greater financial stability for her family. Her story particularly resonated with the visiting Alinea representatives. “I was especially impressed by her work ethic and vision for the future. She had a clear understanding of her market and was actively looking for ways to expand her services and attract new clients,” Schattmann shared. Brown’s determination to grow her salon, rather than simply maintain its current operations, demonstrated the entrepreneurial mindset that the SEB initiative sought to nurture. “Rather than simply maintaining her business, she was thinking strategically about growth and how to create greater stability and opportunity for herself and her child,” Schattmann noted.
Entrepreneurship Is About More Than Income
For Salewski, the benefits of the initiative extend beyond financial independence. Entrepreneurship, she noted, can help young people develop important life skills, strengthen their confidence and build resilience when navigating difficult circumstances. “Entrepreneurship provides much more than an income. It helps young people build confidence, independence, and a sense of purpose. When young people are given the opportunity to develop skills, start a business, and see the results of their own efforts, it strengthens their belief in themselves and what they are capable of achieving,” she explained. For many participants, the opportunity to establish a business has provided renewed hope and a belief that their circumstances do not have to determine their future.
While the visits highlighted the progress made by the young entrepreneurs, they also reinforced an important lesson about sustainable youth empowerment: providing startup financing is not enough. Across all three businesses, participants spoke positively about the entrepreneurship training and post-training support provided through the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC). The training helped strengthen their financial literacy, book-keeping and business management skills, enabling them to better track income and expenses, manage operations and make informed decisions about expanding their businesses.
Salewski highlighted the importance of this practical support in helping young entrepreneurs develop sustainable enterprises. “One theme that came consistently across all three visits was the value of the support provided through the JBDC training and post-training support,” she noted. These skills are particularly important for first-time entrepreneurs, many of whom may have limited experience managing business finances or navigating the challenges of operating a small enterprise.
A Legacy of Empowerment
As the SAIL-SRHR Project comes to a close, the experiences of these young entrepreneurs provide an important example of how targeted investments can create opportunities for vulnerable young people.
Implemented through Alinea International in partnership with the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC) and the Jamaica Family Planning Association (JFPA), with funding from the Government of Canada, SAIL-SRHR has worked to strengthen access to sexual and reproductive health information and services while supporting the broader empowerment and leadership of young people in Jamaica.
Reflecting on the project’s legacy, Salewski emphasised the importance of continuing to invest in approaches that combine practical skills development with access to resources. “Future investments should continue to pair financing with business development support, particularly in areas such as financial literacy, to help young people build sustainable livelihoods and economic independence,” she said.
