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Growth & Jobs | JN Mall provides brand exposure for small businesses

Published:Tuesday | December 10, 2024 | 12:08 AM
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This is definitely me! Claudette Hunter (centre) tries on a handbag with some assistance from owner and creator of Woman of Virtue, Shara Anderson-Grant, while Mrs Hunter’s husband looks on. The couple, who were visiting from the United Kingdom, made the
Contributed Photos
This is definitely me! Claudette Hunter (centre) tries on a handbag with some assistance from owner and creator of Woman of Virtue, Shara Anderson-Grant, while Mrs Hunter’s husband looks on. The couple, who were visiting from the United Kingdom, made the JN Mall their first stop on Saturday, November 30. The three-day pop-up shopping experience, innovated by the JN Group, was staged in the JN Bank Chief Office’s parking lot in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew over the Black Friday weekend, November 29 to December 1.
Dowan Thompson (left) examines swimwear designed by Shannon Barrett, owner of Sexikinis, during Day Two of the JN Mall pop-up shopping experience.
Contributed
Dowan Thompson (left) examines swimwear designed by Shannon Barrett, owner of Sexikinis, during Day Two of the JN Mall pop-up shopping experience.
Little Calyssia Walters takes an interest in the adventures of the young environmentalist, Ziggy, part of a collection of environmentally themed children’s books written by Kerry-Ann Willis, owner of Eco-Smart, which distributes the books along with natu
Little Calyssia Walters takes an interest in the adventures of the young environmentalist, Ziggy, part of a collection of environmentally themed children’s books written by Kerry-Ann Willis, owner of Eco-Smart, which distributes the books along with natural body care products. Telling Calyssia about Ziggy’s adventures is the booth manager, Shenae Robinson, while Calyssia’s dad, Carl, listens.
Carlene Stair (left), owner of Gorgus Skin bath and body products, explains to Rohan Bent a little about her natural soaps made from activated charcoal, coconut milk, shea butter and other essential oils, during Day Two of the JN Mall pop-up shopping exper
Carlene Stair (left), owner of Gorgus Skin bath and body products, explains to Rohan Bent a little about her natural soaps made from activated charcoal, coconut milk, shea butter and other essential oils, during Day Two of the JN Mall pop-up shopping experience.
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ALTHOUGH RAIN hampered attendance, the more than 50 artisans who participated in the second staging of the JN Mall pop-up shopping experience were grateful for the steady stream of people and exposure received. The event took place over the Black Friday weekend – November 29 to December 1.

“We’ve had persons come by,” commented Marvine Davis, one half of the husband-and-wife duo behind My Old Man leather craft, a boutique manufacturer specalising in genuine leather goods spanning from belts to bags. “The market [for our products] has expanded. People are interested, not knowing that leather of this sort was in Jamaica,” she said.

With a small location in Kingston and its main storefront in the Artisan Village at the Port of Falmouth, Trelawny, the Davises are steadily expanding, with export on their horizon. And having a financial partner with reliable technology to support was another plus for the team. They and the other 49 artisans were all provided with JN Pay mobile point-of-sale devices so that they could accept sales by debit and credit cards.

“The point-of-sale is what we were looking for to expand our collection because, normally when someone has a card, you lose the sale if they don’t have cash,” Zeelah Davis said, hailing the decision to outfit all 50 artisans with the JN Pay mobile devices so artisans wouldn’t miss a sale.

Shara Anderson-Grant, proprietor of Woman of Virtue, a boutique fashion outlet specialising in women’s hats, bags and other accessories, said the exposure from the event was priceless.

“For me, it’s not always necessarily about money, it’s about building your brand. What was most impressive is that persons who came to my booth, they would say ‘Oh I heard about your brand’, which I know last year JN impacted,” she said.

Budding entrepreneur Kerry-Ann Willis echoed a similar refrain. The environmentalist and owner of Eco-Smart, a brand that carries a series of environmentally themed children’s books and natural body care products, was exuberant about the opportunity the JN Mall provided her small company.

“The creative industry is something that is growing in Jamaica. The platform JN is providing is one that allows me to spread the message that we can become great stewards of the environment. Even if my book impacts one life, I am satisfied,” she declared.

The JN Mall pop-up shopping experience showcased more than 50 artisans offering an array of craft and gift items at attractive prices, along with fashion, food and entertainment.