Mechanic steps up to being his own boss

Prior to being exposed to training in entrepreneurship, Andre Allen was contented to work as a mechanic for an engineering company, Power Services in Mandeville, Manchester.

But Allen, who hails from the troubled community of Top Greenvale in Manchester, is today thanking God for the opportunity to be a part of the Central Jamaica Social Development Initiative Youth Entrepreneurship (CJSDI) training programme, which he said has given him a different outlook on life. Allen, who was content to be a mechanic, said he never dreamt of being an entrepreneur.

"The CJSDI introduced me to entrepreneurship and to be more business savvy as an individual because I personally did not have owning a business on my mind. It was introduced to me by one of my mentors. I do not regret it because it has opened my eyes so much from the way how the world works and meeting different people, going into different environments in the society," he said.

Since the programme, Allen said he has started a farm and is capitalising on what he learnt about networking as he links with other businesses and companies, enabling him to survive.

Still, it was not easy stepping out as he said he feared the unknown. Recognising it was a new path and it could be tricky, especially as he had little knowledge about running a business, he decided to put his lessons to good use.

Growing crops such as pumpkin, sweet corn and carrots, he also does poultry farming with his older brother. Through networking, he supplies a company that processes chicken products.

A father of two young children, a six-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son, Allen said he is determined to be a good role model for them.

"You know that you have to set examples being a father, especially of a little boy. You know that I have to mind the way I am walking because he will follow my path and I know that I will have a great influence on my children," he shared.

Allen, who attended Bellefield High School in the parish, said being a part of the cricket team and having a strong coach who instilled discipline in him made it easy for him to stay on the straight and narrow. He said that he still has that sense of discipline.

"It was very influential because it was also a troubled high school. We had good influence and bad ... so I tried my best to stay on the right path at all times," he notes.

Looking ahead, Allen said he plans on improving his poultry farming moving from 150 chickens to 300, and eventually wants to employ others to work in his business. He also hopes he can be an inspiration to other youth in Top Greenvale, encouraging them that they can do great things.

"We need more programmes like this in Jamaica and my message to fellow youth is this, farming is key, we need to export more," he said.