Style Observer (SO): What’s your middle name?

Shamar Clarke (SC) Romaine.

SO: And your Zodiac sign?

SC: Leo.

SO: Describe Shamar Clarke in a few sentences.

SC: Shamar Clarke is a family-loving man. Highly ambitious and driven, steadfast in vision and a deep believer in God. Loves to have a good time with loved ones. Passionate about mentorship and spreading the importance of financial literacy. Many will describe him as being a charismatic person and a natural leader who finds pleasure in seeing others happy and advancing. He is also seen as very protective of family and friends. He loves his career and believes he is destined to do what he is doing.

SO: What’s your fondest childhood memory?

SC: I was about four years old, and my mother was walking me home from school. We were crossing the road and a car was coming very fast when she said, “ Come Shamar, cross quick!”…..at the time I was trying to spell everything, so I asked how to spell quick and she taught me Q-U-I-C-K QUICK……I have no idea why that memory sticks out so much to me but it’s somehow one of those moments I remember all the time and smile.

SO: What do you love about Kingston?

SC: The opportunities for business and constant fast pace. It helps to keep you grounded and reinforces the fact that you need to keep going because change is rapid and always happening.

SO: What do you miss when not in Kingston?

SC: This was the most difficult one to answer: The country has gotten so connected that I can be anywhere and do business efficiently but if I must say I miss something it would be just the raw energy that Kingston brings. This is something that is intangible and somewhat difficult to explain, it just hits differently.

SO: What upsets you about Jamaica’s capital city?

SC: How a little rain can make the roads impassable with the abundance of water and the almost instant traffic.

SO: Were you the mayor of Kingston what immediate changes would you make and why?

SC: I am sure these plans may have been put forward before and may be in the works but:

1. Have massive solar street lighting initiative – to reduce the dark areas that could be a haven for criminals

2. Increase significantly the installation of surveillance cameras, which can act as a deterrent for unlawful activities.

3. Get all roads properly fixed-reduces wear and tear on vehicles.

4. Conduct a drainage assessment to find out if the current drainage system can effectively function based on our increased developments and, if not, to implement the expansion and improvement of the same.

5. Implement a financial education course and workshop in all schools – to improve financial literacy for students of all ages to get them better prepared for adult life.

6. Champion the redevelopment of downtown Kingston – to stimulate economic growth. Restoring infrastructure, offering incentives for businesses could revive commerce and tourism.

SO: Where would you take a first-time visitor to Kingston?

SC: Loaded question! Night life…Jangaz, then Ribbiz. Easy evening flex would be to Devon House. Business meeting and chill AC Hotel.

SO: Where would you take them to eat and what would you have them try?

SC: I would take them to the S Hotel, Kingston for lunch and would have them try the red pea soup and the sweet potato crusted snapper. For dinner, Sonia’s Homestyle for the best fry chicken. For a Friday evening, it would definitely be in Vineyard Town for roast fish. If on a Saturday Red Hills Road for jerk chicken

SO: How can you as a financial strategist encourage wealth creation?

SC: This is a powerful question! It first comes by leading by example, practising what I preach, promoting a mindset shift by sharing my personal journey as well as others who have used the time-tested principles. Mentor as many people that want to take on the journey so they can go and teach others. Complete my book and share more content in the social media space as it relates to financial literacy.

SO: How would you describe your fashion sense?

SC: Simple and classy. I focus on the mantra: Less is more. You will see me in custom-built suits, leather shoes with matching leather belts. Casually dressed, my clothes are fitted and timeless looking not based on trends. A motto I have come to love is “Fashion is what you buy; style is what you do with it.”

SO: How important is it to focus on dressing well?

SC: This is vital, I was told very early that dressing well is a form of good manners and it is usually the first impression that you can make when meeting someone new, and we all know first impressions last! Image shapes perception and perception plays a big part in shaping reality, so effort needs to be taken when getting dressed. It introduces you before you have spoken.

SO: Share with us the title of the last book you read.

SC:
The Sheik CEO: Lessons in Leadership from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a book I picked up in Dubai.

SO: When you hit the highway what music are you listening to?

SC: Masicka, Vybz Kartel, Nipsey Hussle and Kanye West; with the wife I pull for Beres Hammond.

SO: What are your favourite home comforts?

SC: I love rewatching my favourite series
Suits,
Billions and
Peaky Blinders, doing artwork with my three-year-old daughter and sharpening my chess skills while having 21-year-old Appleton on the rocks.

SO: Which cologne are you currently splashing?

SC: I am simple and wear mainly one fragrance Creed: Aventus

SO:What was your last bit of retail therapy?

SC: Two new suits from Designs by Marc, a shirt from Locale and some Trans Jamaica stocks.

SO: What current projects are you working on?

SC: Finally getting to complete two books I have been writing for a while now; expanding the Legacy Ambassador team; and Gabrielle Blackwood and I are in pre-production for a feature-length film.

SO: Finally, what’s your personal philosophy?

SC: My personal philosophy is: Success favours the prepared mind and there is no limit on what you can accomplish with a firm belief that God is guiding your path.

Another that’s equally important is: You may not come from a rich family but a rich family must come from you.

Appleton 21 on The Rocks is Shamar Clarke’s preferred pour (Naphtali Junior)