Mandeville, Manchester — More than 300 students from 18 schools in central Jamaica were exposed to the challenges of entrepreneurship during a forum here in late November.

Organisers of Global Entrepreneurship Week and the consulting firm 20 twenty Strategies said the purpose was to expose the young people to “the real meaning behind being an entrepreneur”.

 According to a news release from 20 twenty Strategies “owning a business is often seen by many as glamorous and easy, getting to do as you please and sleeping as late as you wish. Attendees found out that owning a business is quite the opposite. It requires lots of determination, bravery, working late nights and basically a seven day workweek in order to get it done”.

One presenter, Racquell Brown, of Iire Rock Skincare spoke about living out of her car for the better part of four years as she travelled throughout Jamaica to introduce her products to prospective clients.

“Now in her 5th year of business her products can be found in all major pharmacies islandwide and selected gift shops,” the news release said.   

According to the release, the young audience was able to identify with successful business owners because in most instances they started their business from “scratch”.