Sophia Bryan – A woman on a mission

SOPHIA Bryan is a woman on a mission to empower entrepreneurs with knowledge that will put them in a more competitive position to build wealth and withstand the challenges associated with running a business.

Bryan, 25, told All Woman that throughout her young life she has garnered many experiences which have imbued her with knowledge that she believes will assist others.

Born and raised in the tough community of Seaview Gardens, St Andrew, Bryan lost her mother at age three. With the guidance of her then 15-year-old sister who assumed the responsibility of a mother, she learnt what it truly meant to work hard and keep your eye on the prize.

“I consider myself to be someone very determined and motivated. I’ve seen a lot of things in my time… which have allowed me to realise that it’s the choices you make and not what you encounter in life that will determine your success.”

Now the holder of a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies, Mona, and studying to be called to the Jamaican Bar in 2018, Bryan had to swim against the tide and defy a few of her guardian’s commands in order to reach this point.

“When it was time for high school I got through because of a scholarship, as I had done well in GSAT. Since then that’s how I’ve been able to get through school. When I had CXC exams, out of the blue I heard that I got a scholarship. When it was time for sixth form I also got assistance,” Bryan shared. “I always knew I wanted to become a lawyer, but my sister was of the view that if you go to school and get your CXCs, you’re supposed to look for a job. She didn’t see a future for me in sixth form, but I defied her. I went to sixth form, not knowing how I would have survived, but the teachers at Meadowbrook were really very supportive. I got assistance from the guidance counsellor and was able to make it through. One of the teachers even gave me a part-time job. Eventually my sister came around and became one of my biggest supporters.”

Today Bryan is the CEO of Business Support Guru International, a company she started in order to help entrepreneurs gain skills needed to run successful businesses. As a result, she has launched the ‘Knowledge is your Wealth Business Support Series’, which should kick off on February 25 with the first workshop — Financial Planning 101.

Bryan said the initiative is a series of introductory workshops focused on critical areas that millennial business owners must master in order to build wealth in their businesses. She said participants will be engaged in the areas of tax-planning strategies, financial statement preparation, and their legal obligations as business owners.

“Every workshop promises an experience that will teach entrepreneurs an important skill they need to master in the execution of their business. It also provides an invaluable networking opportunity where persons can develop business relationships. It was launched so that a gap could be filled in the marketplace. That is, a simplified approach to the understanding of what is required to run a successful business. Oftentimes entrepreneurs shy away from anything that has to do with numbers, especially tax compliance. This lack of knowledge regarding legal obligations has negative implications for the young entrepreneur,” she said.

In addition to her legal and entrepreneurial pursuits, Bryan is heavily involved in community work. She is the founder and president of Women of Unlimited Worth, a women’s empowerment initiative birthed in the community of Seaview Gardens.

“I started this in 2014, because I realised that young women in tough communities needed positive examples of people they can emulate and build their self-esteem. I was tired of seeing young people go into [dysfunctional] relationships thinking that they can’t do better. Plus people came to me and said, ‘You need to do something.’ We’ve done development workshops, impromptu speaking training, rap sessions, and a mini Ms Seaview Gardens pageant. We have also embarked on a project called Empower Her to Lead, which focuses on financial development, spiritual development, and gives young women an opportunity to share their stories and empower others at the same time,” she said.

A past Festival Queen contestant, where she took the prize for Most Involved in Community Work, Bryan enjoys giving motivational talks to young people and students of her alma mater, Seaview Gardens Primary School, and has also been recognised for outstanding leadership and service at UWI.

Bryan also enjoys reading, and believes that transforming the mind is a process — one where you learn from other people’s stories.