Heneka Watkis-Porter finding her voice

Transport and Works in the Public Works Department (PWD). After I left the PWD, I spent a few years at Lasco Distributors, where I entered the University of the West Indies on a part-time basis," Watkiss-Porter told Outlook. She graduated with Upper Second-Class Honours with a Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology and management studies - a double major.

Her love for her country, its language and culture led her to create Patwa Apparel. The clothing line became a launching pad, creating opportunities for speaking engagements, and later transforming itself into Patwa Culcha International. Watkiss-Porter started a show on Power 106 FM called 'Entrepreneurial You'. After three seasons and moving the programme to St Kitts, she knew that there was more she wanted to share with a much wider audience.

Moving into podcasts was a natural evolution.

"Deep down it was the desire to share what I have learnt as an entrepreneur with others on the global stage, as well to connect with global, high-impact leaders and entrepreneurs such as John Lee Dumas himself, Richard Branson, Seth Godin and Amy Porterfield. I am beaming ear to ear, as the podcast so far has been aired in more than 80 countries," she told Outlook.

But still, there was more that she felt like she could do as an entrepreneur to assist other entrepreneurs. She started The Entrepreneurial You Virtual SME Conference and Expo. Having a number of influencers on her podcast, she wanted to impact her community by giving back to her followers and consistent listeners of her podcast.

"In 2017, I brought together CNN, Forbes, Oprah, etc, [and] featured speakers from four countries over four days to provide inspiration and motivation, as well as expertise in the areas of financing, marketing, insurance, and other areas relevant to small and medium enterprises. This was supported by Yello and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC)," she told Outlook.

Apart from a leadership seminar at the Leadercast Women, which is to be hosted live in Atlanta, Georgia, and streamed in Jamaica, she hopes to build upon the entrepreneurship training she held earlier this year in India; then in August, conduct the second instalment of her Beginners' Podcasting Workshop.

If Watkiss-Porter could give any advice to young women, it would be, "Know your purpose, stay focused on your why, with blinkers on. Water your own grass so that that of others doesn't look greener than yours. Remain in your lane, there is no traffic there. Trust the process along the way. Don't be defined by any one set of circumstance, whether good or bad. See them as experiences along your life's journey."

Connect with Heneka Watkis-Porter on:

Instagram: @heneka_watkis_porter

Twitter: @theentrepyou

Facebook: Heneka Watkis-Porter

Website: henekawatkisporter.com