ST MARY, Jamaica — Orlando Richardson was living the proverbial ‘American dream’ in the United States. But when his father, Winston Richardson took ill two years ago, he returned to Jamaica to tend to him.

Upon his arrival, in addition to taking care of his father, the junior Richardson also assumed responsibility for the family’s banana chips business, Richies Banana Chips.

The youger Richardson told Observer Online that he left his job in sales and marketing to take charge of the Bailey’s Vale, St Mary- based business.

A move, he says, he never regretted, especially after his dad passed away.

“I took on the business because I didn’t want to fail my father. I wanted to continue what he worked so hard to build. Before my dad died he taught me how to make the chips and secrets to ensuring that you put out the best quality product,” he said. “We have the motto ‘Not rich in price but rich in quality’. There are other competitors but our product stands out because of this,” he argued.

Lamenting that taking over the business wasn’t easy, Richardson said he has had to overcome countless challenges in his efforts to successfully lead the business.

Now, three years after the business started, Richardson said it is thriving and is now on the brink of expansion.

“Building wasn’t easy especially with a part of your own not believing in you but we are now working on putting Richie’s Banana Chips out there on a wider scale right across Jamaica and to the overseas market,” he said, noting that the work ethics passed down through his father has been his guiding light. “The work etiquette I learnt from my father to be hands- on has made me strong in this business. I peel and fry bananas. I don’t let anyone feel like I’m bossing them around and I know my dad is smiling down at me and saying ‘well done son, keep up the good works.”

-Ingrid Henry