The convergence of destiny and purpose gave life to a childhood dream for Shelley Provost whose future came full circle when an older sibling decided to pass down a bar establishment to her back in 2008.

Provost, who had long wanted to own her own business, was over the moon as with unbridled enthusiasm and a heart filled with pride, she turned passion into a thriving business.

Her establishment, branded ‘The Round-Robin’, now operates from two locations with pubs situated in the Linstead and Treadways communities of St Catherine.

Embarking on the newfound but desired entrepreneurial pursuit as a novice at the cusp of her adult life, Provost, who has for more than a decade and a half, worked to build-up the small drinking saloon, today boast its transformation as a popular watering hole which doubles up as a prominent chill spot for a growing and loyal customer base.

Recounting the early days when she began to fend for herself, Provost, who had since the latter part of her teenage years began to peddle juices at the famous Linstead Grand Market on Christmas Eve, said it was manifest destiny when her sister, not much longer after these hustles, decided to hand over a bar business she was exiting to her. Her venture in the area, which was also compounded by the difficulties of securing a job in a tight labour market, further helped to amplify her call to the bar.

“Ever since I was a little girl, the thought of owning a business was always my number one dream and after being able to purchase my first bed bottom from my grand market hustles, I saw that there was much more that I could achieve from working for myself and so when I moved to take control of the Treadways bar at just 18 years old, after my sister decided to pass over the business to me, this turned out to be one of the best things to have happened for me,” she told the Jamaica Observer as she expounded on how she got started in the business.

“From the time I got started in this industry it has been through the bars that I’ve been able to support my family, construct a two-bedroom house and overtime purchase two motor vehicles,” she added.

Navigating the challenges through much sweat and tears, trial and error, Provost, whose entry in the spirit industry served as the perfect learning curve, saw her some years later gaining a deeper understanding of the business, ultimately inspiring her to add the Linstead location in 2018, following substantial success with her flagship Treadways business.

Earning the bulk of income from the Treadways bar, she said weekly events such as ‘Hog head Tuesdays’ and WhatsApp Mondays have significantly helped to bring more traffic to the area, even during the passage of the novel coronavirus pandemic period when lockdowns kept more people confined to homes and their communities.

As a small business operator, Provost, in crediting strong partnerships and the kind support of corporates such as J Wray & Nephew, said the assistance provided by these entities in addition to individual efforts have tremendously helped to grow her establishments by leaps and bounds, in the process bringing more scope and impact to the communities in which they operate.

These strong support systems further backed by the proud bar owner’s tenacity and willpower to survive, she, however, said is what have also helped her to counter many setbacks and disappointment along the journey, much of which she can now look back on as she marvel at the progress made since the business’ humble beginning.

“A far me a come from and I’m very proud of where I’m now at. It is through the bars that I’ve been allowed to make an honest living and from which I’ve also been able to give back to community. At Easter time I often stage annual treats for the kids and from the proceeds of a number of weekly activities and round-robin events, I host through the bars, I’m also able to help out with other forms of outreach,” Provost noted.

Desirous of chasing new ambitions in the future, she said that while other business opportunities continues to be mulled, none will ever come at the sacrifice of her bars, which she has no plans of giving up anytime soon. “There are thoughts of doing a car rental business or even something in cosmetology but for the time being, I remain committed to the bars and for now all other plans will continue to come secondary.”

“I am happy for my place in the spirit industry as through my two establishments I’ve been able to build out a place for myself in the market as I make my own contributions to the local economy.

“As a woman, it is also important to me that I can enjoy some amount of independence and it is also through the bars that I’ve been able to achieve this. Though fairly small operations, both entities have helped me to adequately take care of my living needs and I’ve been blessed to be my own boss over the many years. Despite a few challenges which may come up from time to time, I remain comfortable and grateful for my bars,” Provost said, while hinting at some long-term plans for future expansions.

“I’m thinking of a Kingston location for my next venture, but this for the moment only remains a thought as the possibility of onboarding a third establishment will have to come by way of partnership,” she stated.