HE never had the opportunity to attend college because his parents could not afford to send him. But Leopold Williams was determined to win.

Despite being from humble beginnings, Williams, the former branch manager of the then Life of Jamaica Insurance Company’s Ocho Rios operations, rose to become one of the more successful life underwriters.

His success was extraordinary. At age 45 he retired after over 20 years in the insurance industry to start his own business.

Williams, known as ‘Steely’, a name which speaks of the strength of the man, now runs two businesses of his own. This was no ordinary feat for a boy from rural Jamaica who knew the struggles of growing up in poverty.

Now enjoying some amount of success, Williams has written an autobiography “Determined to Win”, which he intends to serve as a motivation for people who may have faced similar situations.

Additionally, Williams intends to share his success further, as proceeds from his book will go towards his foundation, intended to assist the needy and underprivileged children of St Ann with their education.

“As one who has done well in the insurance industry I thought I would write my autobiography and use the proceeds to help needy students,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer following the launch of his book recently at the Seacrest hotel, one of two businesses that he now operates. He also runs Salem Car Rentals in Runaway Bay.

Williams, who was also marking his 62nd birthday, made the occasion a three-in-one celebration. The honorary director and former president of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce also launched the Steely Williams Foundation.

Since the launch of the book, Williams said that the first print of 500 copies has been sold and a second print is now out.

“The book speaks about not having enough money to complete my education,” said Williams, who after completing his studies at the Brown’s Town High School, then Brown’s Town Secondary School, found that his parents could not afford to send him to college. However, he was still determined to become a successful businessman.

“I wanted to go to college but my parents could not afford to send me,” he stated.

“My father was a farmer and my mother was a housewife,” continued the 11th of 12 children.

Williams, who is from Liberty Valley, Brown’s Town, got his first job at Max Print in the town before moving on to work at the St Ann Parish Council. From there it was on to the insurance industry.

Williams, who spent 40 years in the insurance industry, started out at British Fidelity before moving on to Life of Jamaica where he grew from a sales representative to become an innovative leader in the organisation.

“I’ve had an outstanding career which culminated in building the Ocho Rios branch,” said Williams, who started in the insurance business at age 21.

According to him, he was the first Life of Jamaica insurance person in the area.

“From I was a child, I always wanted to have my own business,” he said.

Although he retired from the insurance industry, his skills and expertise were never allowed to go to waste. Williams said that he is now a senior financial advisor at Sagicor Jamaica and a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

“I was fortunate to have joined Life of Jamaica that gave me a business education that I wanted and a well-paid job at the same time,” he stated.

Williams also ensured that his children never faced the struggles that he did and the father of three proudly stated that he paid for his children all the way to university.

“I paid all of their way through university without student’s loan,” he stated.

He was able to ensure that his children are educated and now Williams said he wants to ensure others are similarly treated too.

He emphasised that “the foundation is for students in the parish who are in need. If they are not needy then it defeats the purpose,” he stated.

While he wants to raise funds from his biography, he wants his experience to be a motivation and according to him people are already giving positive feedback.

“A lot of people have called to say it has changed their outlook. The feedback is encouraging,” he added.

Williams explained that it was only in February of this year that he approached the publisher, Lena Rose of Minna Press Publishers, and told her he wanted her to publish a book. At that time the book was only in his mind. By April, it was written.

“It was published in record time,” he explained, suggesting that the publisher worked to have the book out before the end of July 2014.