Gift And Craft Entrepreneurs Encouraged To Be Creative

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is encouraging gift and craft entrepreneurs to convert natural resources into fashionable accessories.

Speaking at a recent ‘JBDC Virtual Gift & Craft Biz Zone’ session, Product Development Officer at the JBDC, Donna-Gay Uter, said that items found in the everyday environment should be repurposed by Creatives.

“We are encouraging persons to stop limiting your mindset thinking that you cannot create or you cannot design anything. There are so many things out there that can be used. There’s a saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so persons can look at and appreciate what we have available in our culture,” she added.

Miss Uter advised gift and craft entrepreneurs of the various resources, such as coconuts, that can be used to create products.

“We encourage persons to utilise recycling materials that they can actually put their hands on. Start collecting your coconut shells, go on the beach to pick up your pieces of driftwood, glass beads and shells, start collecting those and the minute that you’re able to put things together, you’re able to start conceptualising the ideas that you want,” she explained.

Miss Uter noted that the JBDC’s Incubator and Resource Centre can help the gift and craft entrepreneurs to move from concept to market.

“We can provide you with the guidance, if it is that you want to actually learn how to make the product from start to finish,” she added.

She also indicated that the JBDC can serve as an intermediary for persons who need things.

“The JBDC prides itself on being a network broker. If it is that there is anything that you need to support you in getting your product to market, whether it’s identifying a piece of material or identifying a supplier, or to identify a location, market access, whatever it is, if we do not have the resources in-house, we have the connections,” she said.

The JBDC is the Government’s business development agency that assists in the sustainable creation and development of MSMEs in Jamaica. The ‘JBDC Virtual Gift & Craft Biz Zone’ is a series that addresses issues that have been identified in the craft sector.

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