GROWING up in the small mining town of Linden, Guyana, Chris Yeung always knew that one day his dreams and aspirations would outgrow the 20,000-inhabitants community. He was filled with an insurmountable level of determination that fuelled him to work extremely hard to attain the level of success he has always dreamed of. Notwithstanding this, there were certain hobbies that he indulged in which helped to shape who he is today.

Yeung spent his younger years fishing with his father in the mighty Essequibo River. The father and son duo dedicated a significant amount of time to this activity, and although they did not always catch anything for dinner, it was always an incredible bonding experience for both.

Years later, Christopher Yeung successfully realised his childhood dream of becoming an entrepreneur as he is now the co-founder and managing director of FirstRock Private Equity Limited. We recently sat down with him to learn more about his journey from a little boy in Guyana to co-founder and managing director.

Carrer & Education (C&E): Tell us a little about your childhood.

Chris Yeung (CY): I was born in a small rural town in Guyana named Linden. At age eleven I relocated to Jamaica with my father, where I then attended Campion College. Upon completing my secondary education I went on to pursue my undergraduate degree at Centre College in the United States. I am an avid believer in education being the driving force behind a successful life so I enrolled at The University of the West Indies to complete my postgraduate studies. I recently completed an executive education programme at Harvard University, where I was able to build on my leadership skills.

C&E: Growing up, what career path were you interested in? At what point did you become interested in finance?

CY: I always knew that whatever field I ended up in, it had to be something that I was passionate about. From my earliest recollection I have always wanted to become an entrepreneur or business owner. It was in my high school years that my interest in finance surged. It wasn’t a subject that was taught in high school so this piqued my interest to seek out further knowledge and understand the workings of the financial world.

C&E: What is something you failed at during your career? What lessons did it teach you?

CY: In a career such as this one it is inevitable that you will experience some failure; I have certainly experienced my fair share of setbacks and failures since my journey in the financial industry. I recall one instance where I was unable to meet the fund-raising target for a particular client. That was a source of great disappointment for me. However, I do not regret having gone through those experiences as they have helped me to develop the courage of resilience, and fortitude, ultimately shaping the person I have become.

C&E: What is your proudest professional accomplishment thus far?

CY: It is immensely hard to choose just one but I would have to say that my contribution to the growth and listing of Dolla Financial Services on the Junior [Market of the] Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) has been one of my most significant and memorable achievements to date. Dolla Financial Services, which is a subsidiary of FirstRock Private Equity, has benefited greatly from my integral involvement in the process.

C&E: Tell us about your appointment as a junior JSE mentor

CY: This appointment is a source of personal pride for me. I am deeply passionate about supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and so with this role, I am given the opportunity to directly impact the underserved SME sector. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of Jamaica’s economy; driving employment and fostering innovation. Therefore, through my mentoring role I am committed to helping these businesses grow, creating more job opportunities, and contributing to the overall strength of Jamaica’s economy.

C&E: Having participated in international projects, what are the significant differences between the corporate/ workforce culture in Jamaica and elsewhere?

CY: Throughout the past year a significant portion of my time has been dedicated to working with My Ocean Limited, one of our portfolio companies located in The Bahamas. This opportunity has allowed me to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse range of cultures and strategies utilised to achieve success. Bahamians are very passionate about freedom of expression — both in and outside the office. As a result, I have developed a profound respect for the Bahamian culture and I am eager to establish stronger connections between Jamaica and The Bahamas.

C&E: Having completed the executive education programme in private equity at Harvard Business School, what was the experience like? How has that influenced your leadership style?

CY: Harvard was a unique and unforgettable experience for me. I was provided the opportunity to engage with peers in the private equity and venture capital industry, who are from very diverse backgrounds. As I previously mentioned, I am a firm advocate of continuous learning and self-growth, therefore pursuing studies at Harvard was a natural choice for me. This exposure granted me insights and wisdom from successful entrepreneurs while enabling me to hone my leadership skills, particularly in the realm of building relationships and negotiations.

C&E: In your opinion, what is the most important quality a leader should posses?

CY: A leader’s primary attribute should be to exude positive energy, characterised by enthusiasm and a drive to excel. Such energy is infectious and can significantly boost team morale, making it a vital aspect of effective leadership.

C&E: When did you join FirstRock? Why?

CY: I joined the team in January 2021 where I co-founded FirstRock Private Equity Limited after resigning from my job amidst the COVID pandemic. My goal was to pursue my dream of entrepreneurship, with particular emphasis on investing in SMEs and contributing to the advancement of Jamaica. Since joining we have invested in three SMEs: Dolla, My Ocean and Optimum Trading, all of which have experienced substantial progress.

C&E: What is your vision for the future of FirstRock Private Equity?

CY: My vision is that it will be the leading private equity partner for SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean. We are enthusiastic about maximising our goals for 2023 and we look forward to assisting more SMEs to realise their full potential as the year progresses.