KINGSTON, Jamaica — Since starting Bullizi Marketing 16 years ago, Andrea Bullens has worked with some of the biggest West Indian companies in New York City.

Given the number of high-profile events which it promoted, she rates 2015 as her company’s breakout year.

“It was a good year. We saw increased growth from years of continuous hard work and recognition. The recognition is humbling,” Bullens told OBSERVER ONLINE.

Some of that recognition came from the Mustard Seed Foundation, Caribbean Life Newspaper, the state of New York and New York City.

The state and city cited her achievements as a minority woman with her own business.

To celebrate those achievements, the Bronx-based Bullzi is teaming with Groovin’ Radio 93.5 FM host Ras Clem and Images Media, to host a Jamaican holiday party on December 19 at Club 661 in Mount Vernon.

That event will see performances from deejay Ras Droppa and singer Elvis D, Jamaicans who live in New York.

Bullens, who was born in England to Jamaican parents, grew up in Kingston and attended Alpha Academy. She has lived in New York since 1984.

After years of representing West Indian companies such as Grace Foods, Caribbean Airlines, Wisynco and Linstead Market, Bullzi attracted major clients recently.

“We had a successful planning and execution of all our special projects to include the annual Grace Jerk Festival, Groovin’ In the Park, representing not just Caribbean companies but US corporations such as Nestle and Metro PCS,” said Bullens.

Bullens is a recipient of the 2015 Caribbean Impact Award from Caribbean Life Newspaper. She was among 32 New Yorkers of Caribbean heritage honoured in Brooklyn last month.

Others recognised were Dr Roy Hastick, founder of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Lowell Hawthorne, CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill, and Thomas Bailey, president of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

Howard Campbell