CECIL Foster, proprietor of FosRich Group of Companies, says trustworthiness and loyalty are two of the primary reasons for the success and survival of his business.

“People don’t just normally believe in you when you are in business. You have to go out of the way just to prove to them that you are capable, solid and able to deliver,” Foster told Career & Education.

FosRich, which distributes electrical, lighting and energy-efficient products, recently signed its biggest deal to date with Philips Electronics, to supply energy-efficient products in Jamaica on behalf of the multi-million dollar diverse technology company.

“After people send you their hard-earned money and you say to them that you can supply a particular product, they have to trust that you will not just run away with their money, and you need them to make profits to survive,” Foster said.

Foster first went into business in 1995 after graduating from the University of Technology (formerly CAST) with a bachelor of science degree in marketing and working with a company which sold electrical products.

He started business with two employees and with the aim of just selling electrical products. Now, he has been able to build his business from one location to four branches in Jamaica, and from just selling electrical products to electrical, lighting, solar water heaters, solar photo voltaic systems, light-emitting diode bulbs and induction lighting products, and from two employees to over 70.

He said entrepreneurship is sometimes tough, especially in this harsh economic climate, but he has no regrets about pursuing his goals.

“It has been tough, especially with regards to our ability to get funding to move forward. Without funding, we had a hindrance to our growth at one point,” Foster said.

“To survive, we had to be businesslike with the mindset that every dollar must be accounted for. That is what has helped us to save and expand into what we now are today.”

He said his wife, Marion, who serves as a director, is one of his main motivators and a force behind his success.

“She is a solid person behind me. The kind of commitment, the kind of love and the kind of togetherness help to make the business successful,” he said.

Five ways Foster says he has benefited from being an entrepreneur:

1. It has helped to boost my confidence

2. I am able to serve people the way I know people want to be served.

3. I am able to groom members of my staff to become better at what they do each day.

4. I am able to fulfil my visions as I want them to be fulfilled.

5. I feel wonderful when I see our electrical and lighting products in some of the buildings in Jamaica.