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Youth Entrepreneurs | Manning’s school spirit inspires business brand

Published:Wednesday | January 30, 2019 | 12:00 AMDavid Salmon/Contributor
Tyreke Smith

Manning’s School head boy Tyreke Smith has incorporated school spirit into the operations of his business, Emblem. Launched last September, his business focuses on selling Manning’s School-branded paraphernalia like caps.

Tyreke started his venture as a result of an entrepreneurial competition at his school to win money to fund his college education. This interest in ­entrepreneurship only started in fourth form when he chose to study business subjects for his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

At the core of his ­company lies a burning desire to ­highlight the school that has made a ­significant impact on his ­personal development.

“The source of inspiration for this venture was the patriotism I felt when I was working at a summer internship and received a company cap,” he recalled.

“It gave me a sense of pride to wear it, and so I thought of a way to bring that same pride to the students and staff at the Manning’s School to have something to remind them of the wonderful institution and to represent this institution’s past, present, and future.”

Despite being a small enterprise, Tyreke explains that he has seen his fair share of challenges while operating his venture. The chief impediment he faced was sourcing sufficient capital to fund his project. However, he overcame this hurdle by utilising his savings and taking loans from his family.

The budding entrepreneur says that maintaining supply and the marketing of his company are touchstones of his business strategy.

COURTEOUS TO EVERYONE

“I ensure that I always have stock,” he said. “I am always ­seeking opportunities to make persons aware of my enterprise and also being polite and ­courteous to everyone, as you never know who might be a ­potential customer or know a potential customer,” he said.

For Tyreke, his guiding ­principle is the quote, “Success is not the position in which you stand, but the direction in which you look.” The head boy believes that his best qualities are his persistence, goal orientation, and vision.

Citing the importance of ­having a strong support system of family and friends, the schoolboy praises those who continue to uplift and motivate him. These include teachers and the school’s principal, Steve Gordon.

The student leader is further committed to an involved school life. His extra-curricular activities include the Interact Club, the Business Society, the Debating Society, and the Inter-Secondary Schools Christian Fellowship.

Most important, he believes that becoming head boy has taught him discipline and ­responsibility. These values are widely utilised by him in his school life. He balances his ­academics and business by ­exercising good time-­management skills and remaining focused on his overall educational goals.

Tyreke also demonstrates a desire to contribute to nation building through investing in education.

“Manning’s School, Jamaica’s second oldest secondary school, was founded in 1738. … My venture will be part of the restoration project of the Thomas Manning Building,” he told The Gleaner. “The school’s library is in need of refurbishing, and as a result, we are on board with the committee of the Thomas Manning 5K Walk/Run/Ride to raise funds. On the day of this event, part of the profits made from cap sales by my enterprise will be going towards the ­building’s restoration.”

His vision for his company “is for it to be successful and ­provide pride to past, present, and future Manning’s School students and (for) other schools to be patriots of their institution”.

Tyreke encourages other ­students to have a strong sense of confidence.

“Believing in yourself is your greatest strength,” said Tyreke. He challenges other youth ­entrepreneurs to “be strong and believe in yourself”.

 

For further information, Emblem can be contacted via email at smith_tyreke14@yahoo.com, via WhatsApp on 876-429-9697 or by phone at 876-798-8430.

‘Success is not the position in which you stand, but the direction in which you look.’