MAY PEN, Clarendon — Danica Johnson is confident that the training she received during a year-long programme in micro entrepreneurship will be the launching pad for her to make a name for herself in the multimillion-dollar funeral industry.

“This programme has been a game changer for me as a young entrepreneur. The grant has helped me to offset other costs and resources that are needed to set up my business,” Johnson said of the Canada-funded Biz Bridge Programme which has set out to empower at-risk youth and prepare them for economic success.

For the past two years she has operated Danica’s Funeral Services. Now, she’s a certified entrepreneur. She was one of 30 Biz Bridge Programme participants between the ages of 18 and 29 who attended a recent ceremony at Wembley Centre of Excellence in Clarendon. They were proud that they stuck with the programme until the end.

There were 50 of them when it began.

“Through the Biz Bridge project I was able to enhance my customer service and got into wreath-making through partnership with another participant in the programme. It helped me to be more self-aware and confident and I now have a community to rely on whenever I need help,” Johnson said proudly.

She told the Jamaica Observer she is now more adept at managing both her time and her finances.

Biz Bridge has also been a turning point for Shemar Steele. He’s the owner of Ze Flawless Essentials, which specialises in natural skincare and beauty products ranging from soaps to hair growth oil.

He is still amazed that what was once merely an idea has become a registered business.

“I make these products from scratch. I have done my research and have taken product development classes before being enrolled into this programme. It’s a great experience. I learned a lot and met a lot of new people,” he said.

For Gay Ann Clarke, Biz Bridge has given her just the boost of self-confidence she needed. Now, more than ever, she is determined not to be limited by her physical challenges. She suffers from cerebral palsy.

“Your disability doesn’t define who you are. It doesn’t matter what type of disability you have — whether it’s blindness or you lose a limb or if you’re in a wheelchair — you still can do something productive in life, whether it’s in an organisation or, like myself, doing my own business,” she told the Sunday Observer.

Clarke said a relative introduced her to the initiative and she has plans to grow her poultry and egg business.

“This training is going to help me a whole lot. The grant of $150,000 has allowed me to start the business. When I just started business was slow, but as you gradually go along it improves. Of course, there are some hiccups along the way in the sense where, because of my challenge, some things may take a longer time. While normal people can move around, I have to ensure that everything is in place at the right time,” she said.

As explained by Eurica Douglas, general manager at Clarendon Parish Development Committee Benevolent Society, Biz Bridge evolved after the agency responded to a call for proposals from the Canada LEAF (Local Engagement and Action Fund) programme.

“We started with 50 persons and by the time it got to the actual training, which is micro entrepreneurship level two through HEART/NSTA Trust, there were 38 persons,” she told the Observer.

“One of the core items was to look at the CLSDP (Clarendon Local Sustainable Development Plan) and how we can ensure we are contributing to the economic success of the parish. We decided to partner with the Clarendon Municipal Corporation (CMC) to train 30 young persons in business development, entrepreneurship, marketing, and also provided seed funding of $150,000 in kind to provide equipment and material for their businesses,” Douglas added.

She pointed out that a wide range of candidates was selected after consultation with the CMC, Social Development Commission, and councillors.

Shehryar Sarwar, head of cooperation, Canadian High Commission in Jamaica, said the Government of Canada is proud to have partnered with a grass roots organisation that has been at the heart of local development coordination in Clarendon. He lauded the organisation for its ability to coordinate the efforts of local agencies to ensure the success of the project.

“This demonstrates the power of coordinated action for development. These are the connections that are crucial to the sustainability of projects such as these,” said Sarwar.

“The project’s results have exceeded the targeted expectations. What began as an initiative to support 30 at-risk youth has expanded to reach 38 participants with a particularly strong focus on gender equality. Eighty per cent of the beneficiaries are young women, including participants with disabilities. This aligns with Canada’s commitment to centre women and girls, leaving no one behind,” he said.

Sarwar said he was impressed with the diversity of participants’ businesses, which range from livestock to cosmetology and from videography to food services, reflecting local market opportunities and entrepreneurial spirit.

Biz Bridge has been lauded for its alignment with the CLSDP’s strategic objective 159, which promotes entrepreneurship for economic growth and job creation in keeping with Jamaica’s development priorities.

Participants engaged in online training which allowed for greater flexibility twice per week for nine weeks, where they were exposed to all aspects of business development. They also benefited from personalised coaching and were encouraged to form networking partnerships. Students from Lennon and Kellits high schools’ sixth forms also participated.

“I am extremely proud of the participants and the journey that they have undertaken. For us, it’s just the beginning. We will continue to support them and keep the group going and give them more platforms for exposure and ensure that they have the kind of environment that will facilitate growth of their individual businesses,” promised Douglas.