When Khan Agha and his daughter Yasmeen Traille started their business journey back in 2003, all they had was a small warehouse, a family van, and a dream. That dream was to create a product that would showcase resilience, authenticity, and island pride. Two decades later, their company — Top Brands International — stands as a testament of this vision, with its signature trading brand, Lion Pride, now recognised among the top rolling papers in Jamaica.

During the early 2000s in the resort town of Ocho Rios where it all began, the father-daughter duo having nothing more than an unshakeable belief that their product would do well in the market, took to the streets as they laid the first building block in developing what has today become a symbol of the island’s most hardcore culture, targeting mature customers.

“We started out with a small 5×5 warehouse space, delivering products with our family van. We had no large complement, just me and my dad, King Weedie rolling papers and the customers. At that time many people didn’t see what we knew was possible and some literally laughed at our efforts. Those days were challenging because we had to build everything from scratch, some days we went out and did well and others, not so much. But what others saw as defeat we took as a learning opportunity,” said Traille, who, as the current CEO, is now tasked with continuing the rich legacy started by the family patriarch.

Having managed to build the Lion Pride brand with charisma and resilience, Traille further spoke about the challenges of gaining initial market traction. “Building brand awareness and educating potential customers about our high-quality products was challenging. Jamaicans are loyal to what they love and not every person will have the desire to try something new. When we started, we therefore had to be very charismatic and resilient in how we approached each customer, assuring them that this product would sell. Twenty years later, we are still standing and using those persuasive skills on new customers.”

The CEO, also noting the successes of persistence, now boasts of Lion Pride being among the most sought-after rolling paper brands in Jamaica. Its bold, vibrant packaging, she identified as being a feature synonymous with local culture and street credibility. Equally, the company’s involvement in entertainment, grass-roots initiatives, and lifestyle events reflects its mission to showcase Jamaican authenticity on every shelf and street corner.

“We have become an integral part of the Jamaican lifestyle, entertainment and culture, and have also steadily become a household name. We strongly believe in giving back to the community which has supported us throughout the years. Behind our success is a hard-working, dedicated team, a healthy work environment, strong culture and great team dynamics to keep everything running smoothly and to make the journey even more enjoyable,” Traille added, while noting that with more than 20 branded products now sold across Jamaica, Top Brand’s proven track record of growth and successes has led it to create a brand that has become unmistakably Jamaican.

The company, after 22 years of operation, has since grown into a full-fledged distribution entity which now offers to market a growing line of Lion Pride rolling papers. These comprise its signature King Weedie XL, Big Head Spliff, Unbleached King and Slim, Black Slim, and Organic Hemp papers, all crafted with natural Arabic gum. The product range also includes four lighter varieties (Torch Plus, Flint, Curve, and Push) as well as the popular Long Love Condoms, and the brand’s latest breakout product — which is its 63 per cent white overproof rum — a potent spirit that is rapidly becoming a staple at parties and other social gatherings across the island.

“We are a small company that employs over 20 persons. We distribute products islandwide, with offices in both Kingston and Montego Bay. Our dedicated sales, marketing, delivery, and administrative departments are fully committed to steadily growing our customer base and encouraging more of our partners to carry our full line of products. This year, we’ve placed added focus on building brand awareness for our white overproof rum brand,” Traille said.

Leading Top Brands with the same passion her father sparked years ago, Traille said she seriously has her sights set on making Lion Pride a globally recognised Jamaican lifestyle brand, one that will not only stand tall among international giants but will always remain true to its island roots.

“Our mission is to share the Jamaican lifestyle with the world, showcasing our authenticity, vibrancy, and boldness. As a company, we stand on the pillars of respect and courage, holding true to values that are reflected in everything we do, from our colourful packaging to our warm and welcoming team members. For us, it’s not just about selling products, it’s about sharing culture, courage, and our Lion Pride with the rest of the world. Our immediate goal is to expand into new markets across the Caribbean and North America and to grow Lion Pride to be the most recognisable and respected brand globally,” she concluded.

Lion Pride, as the signature product line for Top Brands International, is now recognised among the top rolling papers in Jamaica.