A select group of owners of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) enjoyed a rare opportunity to engage in an intimate lunch-hour master business class with Michelle Chong, founder of the Honey Bun Foundation, at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew recently.

The first in the foundation’s CEO Luncheon Series offered SME owners a unique opportunity to gain practical business insights.

The SMEs were selected through completion of the foundation’s business diagnostic tool — the GAPP app. The free-to-download app shows SMEs what the gaps are in their businesses and how to fill them.

Drawing on more than four decades of leadership at the helm of a publicly traded company — Honey Bun Limited — Chong shared lessons learned, answered questions, and encouraged the group to think boldly about growth and sustainability.

The five participating SMEs represented a diverse cross section of industries including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and food manufacturing, with some travelling from as far as St Elizabeth.

During lunch, conversations ranged from succession planning, managing family-owned businesses, and securing investments to strategies for scaling operations.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was passion — the driving force behind most successful entrepreneurs. Chong reminded participants that passion must be paired with clarity of vision and discipline in execution.

She urged them to turn challenges into opportunities, “Don’t become overwhelmed. Don’t give head space to challenges — use it to find solutions and create opportunities,” said Chong as she stressed that there is always an opportunity in the challenges you face in business.

Chong also urged the SMEs operators to focus on their business.

“Don’t try to be all things to all people. Build a bigger vision that grows your industry,” she said.

In addition Chong reminded the operators to lead with values. “Connect with people who share your values. In hiring, discover what they stand for — it shapes the culture you want to create in your company.”

In a parting shot Chong encouraged the SMEs operators to get their business in order. “Do the right thing — always,” added Chong.

The luncheon also encouraged peer exchange, with SMEs sharing common challenges, strategies, and innovative solutions. As Chong emphasised, “Not everyone is your competition — collaboration fuels growth.”

The Honey Bun Foundation’s CEO Luncheon Series will continue to create spaces where SME leaders can connect, learn, and be inspired to drive meaningful change within their sectors and the wider Jamaican economy.

General manager of the Honey Bun Foundation Nashauna Lalah (right) listens attentively to a point being made by Shenice Taylor during the foundation’s CEO Luncheon Series.