Beyond beauty with Helen G Hutchinson

Natalia Oh, Contributor

Meet Helen Hutchinson, CEO & events planner - Helen G Event Planning & Design, which has been in business for more than 10 years. The quote by Lou Holtz comes to mind when referring to Helen, "Show me someone who has done something worthwhile and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity". Her life of advocacy for children in need comes from her personal adversities as a child, then later on in life as an adult.

Her story begins in the parish of St Andrew where she was born the first of two girls and raised in a strict Christian home of Jehovah's Witnesses faith. Helen credits her self-discipline and hard-working principles to being raised by a family that taught Christian principles. She grew up being very close to her grandma, Minette, who she watched trying every way to put food on the table. Grandma Minette was a dressmaker, among other things. She sold home-made pastries and snacks at a neighbouring school gate, and Helen often went with her to sell and it was on these outings that Helen learned the phrase "every mickle mek a muckle". Despite economic situations, failed relationships and disappointments, Grandma Minette always found the time to show love and give emotional support to Helen and her younger sister.

School life

Helen attended José Martí High School and describes her high-school years as those of rebellion, as she, like many teenagers, almost lost her way.

During university, because of financial constraints, Helen, like her Grandma Minette, tried many ways to raise money to make ends meet. She tried buying and selling clothing, but when that did not work out, she resorted to selling CDs. She remembers the kindness of friends who would lend her the books she could not afford, and the women in the photocopying centre who would permit her to credit the cost of photocopies and allow her to pay dues when she was able to. Through these adversities, Helen managed to graduate from the university with an honours degree.

Helen took advantage of the JOYST (Jamaica Organization of Youth and Student Tourist) programme and was able to work summers to help with tuition fees. During her final semester at university, she received an offer for a permanent position from her overseas employer, New York Habitat, a company which sells vacation rentals in New York, London, Paris, and the south of France.

Helen describes her job at New York Habitat as "a major life-changer" as the prestigious title of international business manager, fresh out of university, gave her great pride and a strong understanding of dream destinations, and has led to where she is today.

The experience of working in New York forced her to grow up quickly. "Living in America was not a bed of roses," she says, "where there are no rain days or hardly any snow days and everyone is moving a mile a minute". However, she remained focused, saved her money, and was able to move back to Jamaica to begin working for herself and to give back to her beloved Jamaica.

Helen, with her business and life partner, Paul Boothe, now runs a successful destination-wedding planning business. Paul, along with her sons Malik and Mekhi Boothe, has been a tremendous source of support and encouragement for Helen in various ways.

How do you spend your weekends?

As a destination-wedding planner, I spend most of my weekends working and I love it. I get to see the most beautiful places in Jamaica. On the weekends that I am not working an event, I teach wedding and event planning to students privately.

Your favourite vacation spot in Jamaica is?

Honestly, I have never been on a vacation, I work all the time and it allows me to stay overnight in some amazing places. So that's enough for now. However, if I had to choose, my dream family vacation would be Frenchman's Cove in Portland.

Your dream international vacation spot is?

My international dream vacation would be a European tour, including wine tours in France and sampling rustic family-style cuisines in Italy. Touring the southern United States would also be on my bucket list.

Who is your favourite author?

My favourite author is Iris Johansen, and my favourite book by her is What Doesn't Kill You.

What is the best advice that you have ever received?

The best advice I have ever received was from my late husband. He told me the world owes me nothing at all and that I will have to find the confidence in myself to stand tall and work for everything I want to achieve.

Which charity are you most passionate about?

There are two charities that mean the most to me. There is the Jamaica Students Welfare Fund, where we aim to assist needy students and schools in the Spanish Town area. We assist with books, funds for lunch, and transportation costs to and from school. This charity means so much to me because of my financial struggles as a student. I can relate, so my heart breaks for students who want to learn but simply cannot afford to.

The other charity that I founded is 'Baby Oh Baby Jamaica', where I collect, donate and sell gently used second-hand baby items to mothers in need. Both charities can be supported via phone 382-0802 and online at www.babyohbabyonline.com.

Teary-eyed, she finished her interview hoping that her story has in some way helped her healing. She elaborates that every one should try and give back in some way whenever they can. Her website address is www.helengevents.com.

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