At 18 years old, Shawneil Bailey realised that advertising agencies, video production companies and international film agencies needed a way to source talent in the form of TV models and technical people, and there was no way to do this in an organised fashion. In fact, Bailey realised that most people in the creative industry used their friends as models, which was not the most reliable or professional way of doing business.

And so Zarabelle was born — what started out as a partnership with schoolmates fast- forward five years later, the schoolmates have migrated, and others have pursued new ventures, and Bailey is the sole proprietor of a limited liability company that employs three part-time support team members.

Dennise Williams (DW): At the age of 18, most young people are looking to find work. Why did you take the plunge into entrepreneurship and how were you able to support yourself while in school?

Shawneil Bailey (SB): I’ve always been a “hustler” and knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, so when the opportunity to start my entrepreneurial journey was in front of me, I leaped at the chance to finally realise this dream. At 18, I was now an entrepreneur, but nowhere near full-time or stable. I was still doing summer jobs and had the financial support I needed to survive from my mom. It is always great to have a support system when you’re on this path because nine times out of 10 you will need some sort of support, whether financially or emotionally.

DW: Now you are in your mid-20s and have a number of years as an entrepreneur under your belt. What lessons have you learned in the business of managing people?

SB: The main lesson learnt while being in the business of managing people is to respect and motivate those around you. This ensures they perform at their full potential and, as a service-based company, their best is essential for company growth.

DW: You now have a database of over 500 people. What are the types of talents that your company provides for the creative industry? And is the talent industry just for young adults? What opportunities are there for children and older people?

SB: The talents we provide for the creative industry are TV, social media and print talents for different productions ranging from all races, sizes and ages. We also provide the technical talent needed for these productions — director, stylist, etc. The talent industry is not only for young adults. I mean, if they need an on-screen grandparent, an older individual is who we would need for the role and not a youngster. This industry is for all looks, sizes and races, and we would invite anyone to sign up to a reputable agency for opportunities. ‘Real People, Real Management’ is a statement that means a lot to our company, and we work hard to provide the best service to our clients and talents whilst providing the ideal and “real” everyday looks for their campaigns.

DW: Discuss the importance of putting in systems in place to manage your agency?

SB: Systems are important to any company and as an agency that manages people and client requests daily, having an effect system is essential. Just imagine a client request comes through and the team has no clue how to process this request and the talents miss out on this opportunity. To avoid such a catastrophe, our HR, admin and sales team all have standardised systems in place to handle different tasks in their departments. Implementing these systems have saved our team a lot of time and money, plus it keeps our clients happy due to quick response and turnover time.

DW: You say you are very focused on improving the business and are always buzzing with ideas. What do you mean by that?

SB: For a business to stay on top, they must look to innovate. As time passes there are always new ways to improve your business; there is a legit app for everything out there. What I meant by that is that I am always looking to innovate and improve Zarabelle, whether it is to improve a current idea or to implement new ones or to add a new revenue stream. We intend to be at the top of our industry and to do this we have to stay relevant and innovative.

DW: How do you manage being in charge by yourself? What support systems do you have in place?

SB: In all honesty, it was a bit terrifying at first, but I’ve since completely matriculated into the role. I’ve learnt that it is all about having the right team and systems in place. How I currently manage is a daily to-do list plus my Google calendar, which is a very useful tool for scheduling meetings and reminders. My support system is my mother, boyfriend and close friends. They’ve all been integral in my success, keeping me motivated at every step. Having a great support system does a lot for an entrepreneur as there are many days that, if they weren’t there, you would probably would have given up.

DW: Tell us your views on team building?

SB: I believe team building is extremely important to the success of any company. When team members are motivated and highlighted for their contribution, this boosts morale and paves the way to a more attentive team that are on-board with the company’s goals. I do my best to motivate my team. I praise them for their contribution and I motivate them even when they make mistakes — we are all humans; it’s bound to happen. This practice allows them to feel a part of the business and that their contribution is valued.

DW: A lot of young people say there are no jobs and that all they do is send out résumés to no avail. How do you respond to this?

SB: Entrepreneurship is a risk and a lot of people will never make that journey. Being an employer has opened my eyes to this pressing notion. I have seen first-hand where applicants submit their résumés that are not in any condition for me to even consider reading it, much less hire them. I believe job seekers should take the time to invest in themselves and show their worth to the company they seek employment from. There are online templates for résumés and even local companies like WordEdge who can do your CV/Résumé professionally. So, I would say a lot of times it is the applicant’s presentation of self why they do not hear back from companies.

DW: What is the future of Zarabelle?

SB: Service and branding is important for a company to succeed. With that said, we’ve worked hard to build our brand and service offerings. We’ve already implemented digital solutions that have helped propel our efficiency internally and we look to implement more solutions in the near future. Zarabelle intends to be the premier choice for crew and talents for productions in Jamaica.