FRONTIER Business Advisory, a financial and business advisory firm based in Jamaica, is striving to redefine the economic landscape of the Caribbean. Founded by Managing Director Priesnell Warren, the company focuses on empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which Warren describes as the “engine of growth” for Jamaica. The firm aims to address critical gaps in the market while balancing financial success with ethical values and societal impact.

“We are not just here to make noise; we are here to make positive impact,” Warren said, reflecting the company’s mission.

The concept for Frontier Business Advisory began during Warren’s university years and evolved over time before its formal registration in late 2022. Originally named PW Capital, after Warren’s initials, the company was renamed Frontier to symbolise a shift in mindset — mirroring the economic transformation Warren believes Jamaica needs.

“At the end of one frontier is the start of another,” Warren explained. “The name represents a paradigm shift that Jamaica requires to unlock its potential.”

Warren’s professional experience at Jamaica Deposit Insurance Corporation (JDIC) played a significant role in shaping his vision for Frontier. At JDIC he gained insights into financial inclusion and economic resilience while working on policy and economic research. These experiences highlighted market gaps and inspired him to create a firm that could bridge them.

“I realised there was a gap in the market,” Warren said. “A lot of entrepreneurs weren’t registered or formally structured. That’s why I decided to register Frontier formally at the end of 2022.”

Since then, Frontier has built a diverse pipeline of projects across sectors such as hospitality, automotive, construction, and logistics. One of its flagship deals involves an international hotel brand planning to establish a property in Colombia, valued between US$40 million and US$60 million.

“We went on business missions there,” Warren said. “I did a lot of pre-planning for the trip, which helped us land the initial conversation with the hotel brand. Things are looking up.”

The firm is also pursuing opportunities in Guyana, a country experiencing rapid infrastructure development with investments in highways, bridges, and cross-border connectivity with Suriname and Brazil. Frontier is involved in deals related to heavy-duty equipment, trucking logistics, and car dealerships, in this growing market.

“The kind of development taking place in Guyana is remarkable,” Warren noted. “When you think about infrastructure development and connectivity, it presents significant opportunities.”

Closer to home, Frontier remains committed to Jamaica’s growth. The company is working on deals involving aggregates for construction, trucking logistics, and housing developments to support the country’s ongoing construction boom.

Warren has ambitious goals for Frontier, likening its aspirations to those of BlackRock — a global investment management firm with US$11.5 trillion under management as of 2024. While BlackRock operates on a global scale, Frontier aims to become a similar force within emerging markets, particularly in the Caribbean region.

“We want to be the BlackRock of emerging markets,” Warren said confidently. “We look at where Wall Street private investors are going — Africa, Latin America, Eurasia — and we see opportunities bubbling up right here at our doorsteps.”

Warren emphasised that Jamaica’s strategic location near major trade routes like the Panama Canal positions it as an ideal hub for regional economic activity. He also pointed out parallels between developments in countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe — where mobile money solutions like M-Pesa have transformed economies — and opportunities within Jamaica and neighbouring regions.

“Jamaica is perfectly positioned — right above the Panama Canal and below New York and Miami,” he said. “It’s time for us to leverage these opportunities.”

Frontier operates with a core team of seven professionals who combine youth with experience across disciplines such as research analysis, financial analysis, private equity, brand strategy, ICT, human resources, and finance. This structure fosters collaboration while ensuring entrepreneurial expertise drives operations forward.

“Frontier is not just a company; it’s a movement,” Warren said. “We don’t employ people — they employ themselves. We’re all entrepreneurs coming together as a diverse team.”

The firm also invests heavily in technology to maintain its competitive edge. One upcoming initiative is Frontier AI, a proprietary tool designed to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making processes internally before being marketed globally.

“We’ve invested in cutting edge technologies,” Warren explained. “We’ll be testing our own products in-house before marketing them internationally.”

Building Frontier has not been without challenges. Warren described the journey as one marked by “blood, sweat, and tears” but underscored his team’s resilience and commitment to their vision.

“The race is not for the swift but those who endure,” he said. “We are true believers — that sets us apart.”

Despite operating with limited resources initially, Frontier has steadily gained traction by staying focused on its mission of balancing financial success with ethical values.

“I’m not just in this to make money,” Warren emphasised. “I want to make money but also have ethical values and make an impact at the same time.”

Warren rejects traditional notions of competition within Jamaica’s relatively small economy — valued at approximately US$20 billion — and instead advocates for collaboration.

“Jamaica needs to grow from US$20 billion to US$100 billion or more,” he said. “We alone can’t do it; we’re looking for collaborators rather than competitors.”

This collaborative mindset extends beyond Jamaica as Frontier seeks partnerships across emerging markets while maintaining its commitment to local development.

Frontier Business Advisory exemplifies a company driven by vision rather than convention. Its commitment to empowering MSMEs, fostering collaboration over competition, and leveraging technological innovation positions it as an emerging leader within Jamaica’s economic landscape.

By embracing opportunities in high-growth regions like Guyana while drawing inspiration from global trends observed during Warren’s tenure at JDIC, Frontier aims to become an influential player akin to BlackRock — but tailored for emerging markets within the Caribbean.

“When we walk into rooms,” Warren said confidently, “people wonder who we are because it’s clear we’re serious about what we do.”