An inspiring 'Entrepreneurial Journey'
Published:Sunday | August 11, 2013 | 12:00 AM
- Title: Oliver Jones: An Entrepreneurial Journey
- Authors: Professor Rosalea Hamilton and Dr Angela Ramsay
- Reviewer: Keisha Hill
Oliver Jones: An Entrepreneurial Journey is the first in the series that addresses entrepreneurship from a developmental perspective within the Caribbean region. This book is about Oliver Jones' journey as a business and social entrepreneur, and readers can learn about his entrepreneurial journey, his confidence, his determination and his work in social entrepreneurship.
Oliver Jones stands out in the Caribbean entrepreneurial experience because of his outstanding success in building one of the largest insurance conglomerates in Jamaica - Island Life.
The authors, Professor Rosalea Hamilton and Dr Angela Ramsay, explore the path that Jones took before and after the failure of Island Life, into the field of entrepreneurship, and recreating himself as an outstanding motivational speaker.
Jones, according to the authors, has met the criteria of a successful Caribbean business entrepreneur and has added new insights into the ways in which a Caribbean entrepreneur was able to achieve success at a particular stage in Jamaican development.
In the early years of his career, Jones, through his Christian upbringing, his commitment to discipline, and his love for his country, led his company to extraordinary heights of success, but later had to adjust to a sharp decline in his company's assets. The book, suited for students and those who are preparing for career development, can learn from Jones' unique qualities and his ability to engage the inner workings of the public and private sector.
Jones, born in Rose Hall, St Elizabeth, to a Caucasian mother and a brown-skinned father, came from humble beginnings. There were elements of hardships and financial challenges, especially in a family of 12 children with him being the 10th child. He attended the Rose Hall Primary School in St Elizabeth, where he completed the first, second, and third Jamaica Local Examinations.
He did not have the luxury to study as a full-time student while pursuing is Higher School Certificate at Excelsior High School. As an external student, he studied and worked part-time at the Ministry of Agriculture. Jones was heavily influenced by his father and sought to emulate him as a farmer-entrepreneur.
With all intents and purposes, Jones dreamt of becoming a lawyer and was an admirer of National Hero Norman Washington Manley. Manley was Jamaica's eminent barrister and Jones wanted to serve as an intern in a notable legal firm and then work for himself, just like Manley.
However, Jones' path changed when an insurance salesman visited the home he shared with his brother and sister. He persuaded his siblings to purchase policies and successfully persuaded the salesman to accept him as a sub-agent. The book accounts his meteoric rise to the top of his game, enjoying a rapid succession of promotions and the various hobbies he enjoyed. He also immersed himself in politics in his spare time, which enabled him to satisfy multiple goals.
The obvious intent is to provide students, educators and practitioners with illustrations of how Jones overcame the economic and socio-political challenges in the Caribbean society. They will also discover his strategies for success, his philosophies and methods for overcoming major challenges.
The series of books will provide illustrations of Caribbean innovation and how resilient entrepreneurs have managed to overcome the economic, social and political challenges in the Caribbean society. This particular book should spark some academic interest and impart information and skills for students and budding entrepreneurs.