OPPORTUNITIES come out of every difficult time, said Clive Reid, owner of Synergy Brands Enterprises.

Reid started his haulage and logistics company last September, despite the challenging business climate.

Synergy Brands Enterprises is the twenty-first and final nominee in the Observer’s Mogul in the Making start-up programme.

Initially, the business was to have been just transportation, but Reid chose a name that reflected his many interests.

“When it started, we chose a name that integrates several industries which feed off and need each other to survive,” he said.

In addition to transportation, Synergy will import and export some crops, processed foods and other “commodities that are needed for the Jamaican market”.

Reid had to deal with some challenges to his business’ success. Among them were the initial registration and sourcing the equipment needed for his company.

“It is interesting to note that the current government is trying to make it easier for businesses to start up because just the paperwork (was hard)”, he said. Added to that, he had to source his vehicles and equipment from abroad as it was too expensive to do so locally.

Synergy has managed to overcome those hurdles and is getting good feedback, said Reid, “especially on the haulage side” where there is growing demand for his services.

“Business is very competitive and you have to really sell yourself and your company,” he said. “We’ve tried to impress the quality of our service on customers [so] now we’re doing well.”

There are plans to expand the business after it has grown enough, said Reid. He’s looking at starting a manufacturing plant for local products such as packaged bammies, as well as getting more equipment that can do a wider range of work. “There is the satisfaction of doing what you want, working hard and achieving.”