It was about the summer when I was 14 years old. (I am now 27) I was very industrious and always wanted to sell something off what I call, My Family farm. We had lots of fruits on that land and oh how I miss it. I would use the many fruits that I had at my disposal at my home on Kingsway, just a couple steps away from Devon House-where Norma’s on the Terrace was.

Mangoes: There were all types- Tommy Atkins, Bombay, Julie and East Indian but the hit for Norma were the Tommy Atkins. After a phone call to her and a quick meeting, Norma Shirley agreed to buy mangoes from ME, every week and she paid me well for it (the amount I can’t remember now) but it was enough that I could purchase my plane ticket to Florida that summer. She honed the entrepreneurial spirit in me that continues to this day.

I had dinner two months ago with some colleagues from my office at the Grog Shoppe that was recently added to her umbrella of fabulous dining hot spots. I went over to her to say hi and she said ‘Wait yuh work a Digicel now and stop sell mango” and she hugged me. I tell the story of what she did for me because no one was willing enough at the time to support my ‘little’ dream and it was the willingness, warmth and respect that she gave me the ‘little’14 year old at the time the opportunity to conduct business. The following summer I was able to remain her mango supplier. She would always tell me “I want the nice firms one you see, because I serve ice cream in them, so they can’t be soft and soggy.”

To my first client Norma Shirley-R.I.P and to her family, friends and colleagues May God keep you consoled in your time of bereavement.

Thanks and Blessings,

Tamiann Young

Public Relations Executive

Digicel Jamaica Limited | 10-16 Grenada Way