EVENT organizer Andrew Ellis has taken on the wholesale business. On July 1, he opened ReadyStock Wholesale Ltd, which he says was inspired by his passion for fast-moving consumer goods.

“My journey into the wholesale business was influenced by my earlier career experiences as a brand manager at Lasco, where I developed a deep passion for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. Additionally, leveraging my existing relationships within the entertainment sector, where liquor consumption is prevalent, I recognised a significant opportunity to create solutions that cater specifically to this demand. This insight drove me to establish ReadyStock Wholesale Ltd, aiming to bridge the gap in the market with efficient, reliable services tailored to meet the high-paced demands of consumer goods, entertainment and related businesses,” Ellis disclosed in an interview with the Jamaica Observer last week.

ReadyStock Wholesale opened its doors on July 1. It is located on Duhaney Drive in the Kingston 20 area. Ellis describes the staff complement as small and dedicated.

“Currently, we are starting small but mighty with a dedicated team of six. This includes a cashier who doubles as a supervisor, a handyman, a driver and me overseeing the operations. We have launched our ReadySip Cocktail Bar and ReadyBites Deli to complement the operation and as such, we also have a mixologist and a chef on our roster for those specialised roles,” said Ellis.

He continued, “The main focus of ReadyStock Wholesale is to provide reliable, timely, and cost-effective wholesale/retail solutions to local businesses and the community at large. We aim to ensure that the businesses can continuously meet the demands of their customers, and the day-to-day personal shoppers can meet the demands of their households by providing them with an uninterrupted supply of products.”

Asked why he chose the location, Ellis said, “Duhaney Park has been a second home to me over all my years of existence. Both of my parents have operated businesses in the area as a child growing up with my dad, John Ellis, who operated a hardware business in the past and my mom, Claudette Ellis, is the operator of K’s Pharmacy. The support received from the community has allowed my parents to provide me with a good foundation and education and I’m forever grateful for that.”

Ellis added, “This particular opportunity goes beyond just ReadyStock Wholesale as I have invested significantly in the commercial development of “The Compound” which now houses six businesses providing a number of opportunities for employment and trade to the community that has given me so much.”

This is not the first business venture for Ellis. Under the Supreme Team brand, he opened his first restaurant Route 38 in New Kingston in 2020. The restaurant was a hit but it was forced to close after the economic fall out caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He later opened Seven Ultra Lounge in Half-Way-Tree and stayed on as director for one-and-a-half years before selling his shares.

“We started Seven Ultra Lounge in 2021. I was instrumental in the launch of the space as I identified the opportunity, negotiated the lease, established the design and coordinated the full execution of the vision. I managed the day-to-day operation of business for a year-and-a-half before I ultimately decided to move away from the project,” Ellis disclosed.

Said Ellis, “While Seven Ultra Lounge was a successful business, I felt it was the right time to explore other opportunities. I chose to step away from the project and focus on growing Twenty 14 Limited and new ventures such as the development ReadyStock Wholesale Limited. I continue to maintain a positive relationship with the remaining partners as they carry the business forward.”

Ellis, a seasoned marketing guru, with a keen eye for brand management and event planning executions, has worked in key management roles at Hardware & Lumber, Lasco Manufacturing and Triple Century Sports Bar.

Among the major events that he has been a part of are Sandz and VaCae Weekend.

And as for the future of ReadyStock Wholesale, Ellis shared that growth is among his major plans.

“Yes, we have plans to expand. As we establish our foothold in Kingston, we are looking at potential opportunities to open additional branches in other key areas in the future. We believe that we have embarked on a strong business model with ‘The Compound’ as we satisfy the needs for food, beverage, hospitality, retail and entertainment all in one space — and it’s something that we think would be welcomed in a lot of major communities across the island,” he said.