AS the COVID-19 pandemic upended industries and left many without stable income, one Jamaican entrepreneur turned adversity into opportunity by venturing into rug manufacturing — an industry largely untapped in the local market. For Zuri Jerry Atkinson, the shift from electrical work to entrepreneurship was not part of his original plan. But with construction projects halted and his savings running out, he needed a new source of income. A deep dive into online business opportunities led him to a niche market of custom tufted rugs, a craft he had never explored before.

“I saw some YouTube videos; I was searching up how to make money online. Saw some YouTube videos, reached out to someone on YouTube, they gave me their Telegram number, and they video-called me and told me what I would need,” Zuri Jerry Atkinson, owner of TR888ness rugs, told the Jamaica Observer as he shared his story.

With $1,200 USD, his last savings, Atkinson invested in two tufting guns, a vacuum, and shears. However, his first challenge came quickly—custom duties. Unaware of the additional costs, he found himself unable to clear the equipment.

“I bought two tufting guns first. Then I bought a vacuum, the shears. And then I couldn’t clear them at the time because I didn’t realise I was going over the custom duties. I didn’t know about that stuff at the time,” he admitted.

Determined to follow through on his plan, he took a temporary job as lead electrician on a site in Ocho Rios to earn enough money to clear the items. By 2022, he had officially launched his rug-making business, starting with a ’90s-inspired Tom and Jerry cartoon rug. His first sale was a pink and white dog paw rug, purchased by a woman as a birthday gift for her daughter. In the early days, he faced challenges with pricing, as profit margins were small due to the high cost of materials and production.

“For the first three rugs, it was basically break-even, some losses,” said Atkinson.

Later orders came from shoe stores in Kingston, which used custom rugs for advertising. With consistent marketing and growing demand, TR888ness Rugs began attracting attention—not just from customers, but also from local rug manufacturers who saw potential in his work. Recognising his early struggles, several industry professionals extended guidance and support, offering tips on choosing the right glue, fabric, and tufting guns to perfect his craft. However, despite his progress, sourcing materials remains Atkinson’s biggest challenge. The cost of yarn is high locally, forcing him to import supplies based on colour availability and quality. Shipping expenses also add to the burden, as he often pays extra to expedite deliveries and keep up with customer demand. By 2023, TR888ness Rugs began exporting, but high shipping costs remain its biggest challenge. Customers often pay more to import the rugs from Jamaica than they would if purchasing similar products locally, making the rugs less attractive in overseas markets where competition is high.

“If I go too low on the pricing, it’s basically just covering material costs,” he told Sunday Finance.

With exporting proving difficult, TR888ness Rugs is focusing on local expansion, aiming to penetrate the Jamaican market before prioritising international sales. While custom rugs are well-known overseas, awareness in Jamaica remains low, presenting an opportunity for growth. The business is also targeting the local car community, recognising that car enthusiasts have a strong demand for unique, custom-made rugs for their interiors. Additionally, TR888ness Rugs is expanding its impact by offering lessons to teach others the art of rug manufacturing, creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to enter the industry.