SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland – A local entrepreneur, Sanjay Morgan, has experienced a significant boost in his business thanks to the support provided by Project STAR.

Morgan, who runs Sure Clean Car Wash in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, shared how the organisation helped him grow his business and gain essential tools to ensure its success.

Before joining Project STAR’s entrepreneurship programme, Morgan was managing his car wash manually, often struggling to afford the equipment needed to expand his operations. With Project STAR’s support and mentorship, he was able to acquire a power washing machine, a vacuum, and other essential supplies like liquid soap and cleaning rags, which have transformed his business.

“I was grateful because my business was kind of struggling, but now it’s flourishing,” said Morgan.

Through guidance from Project STAR’s entrepreneurship programme, Morgan learned critical business management skills, such as budgeting, saving, and reinvesting surplus revenue.

He explained how they provided him with “a natural explanation on how to carry on [his] business,” helping him allocate earnings wisely.

“For example, If I make $20,000 in a week, I know how to divide it – using $10,000 to buy back materials and save some in my account.”

With this new knowledge, Morgan has been able to open a business account, something he had struggled to do before. “I’ve been trying to open an account for years, and now I was able to do it easily with their guidance,” he said proudly.

In addition to financial advice, Project STAR assisted Morgan in improving his business’s visibility. They helped him create a business logo, and he now utilises social media for advertising.

“Before the programme, I didn’t have a business logo or any social media presence. Now, I have a proper logo, and my customers can find me on WhatsApp,” he explained.

Morgan’s business has also begun to see more customers, as he now offers a wider range of services, including engine detailing and buffing. He credits Project STAR for helping him develop a professional approach to running his business.

“I learned how to explain my business to customers and set fair prices. It’s about knowing your value and making sure everything is accounted for,” he stated.

Sure Clean Car Wash has been operating for six years, but with the tools and knowledge Morgan gained from Project STAR, it is now on a path of expansion. He plans to purchase additional equipment, such as a water pump and a bike, to further improve efficiency and service delivery. As the business grows, he is considering employing more workers to assist with the increasing demand.

Morgan’s story exemplifies the positive impact of the entrepreneurship programme, said Saffrey Brown, director of Project STAR.

According to Brown, the primary objective of the programme is to provide unattached youth who display entrepreneurial potential with an opportunity to establish micro-businesses.

“We target youth who are not currently employed or engaged in education or training but have an interest in becoming entrepreneurs,” she said.

The programme’s structure offers hands-on training, equipping participants with practical skills such as developing business plans, creating marketing materials, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management. Over the course of the programme, participants also work on crafting their business canvas that covers the essential aspects of their business concept.

Brown said that participants are provided with more than just knowledge, and are offered financial support in the form of a grant, typically around $100,000, to help them procure essential items such as equipment, materials, and stock.

“We help by procuring the items for them because, as nano entrepreneurs, they might not yet have the formal business registrations or accounts in place,” she explained.

The programme’s approach is carefully tailored to meet the needs of its participants.

“These are high-risk youth who often face difficulties with concentration and commitment,” Brown noted.

To accommodate this, training sessions are held later in the day and for shorter durations to maintain engagement. In addition, the training is designed to be accessible, focusing on active participation rather than traditional writing-based tasks.

The entrepreneurship programme has already seen success in several communities. In Savanna-la-Mar, participants like Morgan are examples of early achievements.

Since it started in April, the programme has trained approximately 30 participants in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland; Parade Gardens and Rose Gardens in Kingston and May Pen, Clarendon.

Brown said that Salt Spring is the next community slated to benefit from this entrepreneurial training. With high demand for the programme, Project STAR plans to continue rolling it out across all Project STAR’s communities on a scheduled basis.