From hardship to triumph - Miss Bev shares inspirational story of path to success

Fifteen years ago, Beverley 'Miss Bev' Bailey returned to her home parish of St Elizabeth with her four children, facing challenging circumstances as a single mother. She found refuge in her own mother's kindness, who provided them with shelter.

Now, reflecting on those tough times, the 60-year-old shrimp vendor from Middle Quarters shares the valuable lessons she's learnt and hopes to inspire other women in similar situations.

"After leaving Mandeville due to a failed relationship, I had to start anew," said Bailey, who took a $20,000 loan from Access Financial and plunged head straight into the shrimp business. She said that the loan, which "felt like a million dollars", made a significant difference in her life.

"I had a standing fridge and the door pop off. I remember walking through Santa Cruz every day selling shrimp. I would leave flour and eggs at home in the morning and tell the kids to cook and leave some for me. We eat egg and dumpling every day in the week, and rice and tin mackerel on Sundays," she said.

Bailey focused on improving her circumstances and honing her business acumen to maximise profits. "During rainy seasons, when I took loans from Access, I ensured to purchase shrimp at the best deal. By now, I went and got a small deep freeze to trust. And it was hard paying for it, but it was the only way to store the goods. I also make sure to pay back my loans, even during COVID. That's the way I get through," Bailey explained.

Living in cramped conditions meant not everyone had a proper bed, but Bailey's mother offered them a place to stay.

"One of my sons used to sleep in the bathroom. I will always be grateful to my mother for giving us a likkle kotch, because we didn't have anywhere else to go. I used to pass on Spur Tree and look at the houses and pray that one day I would have one for myself. At one point I throw a partner and buy 500 blocks, but I run into some problems and dem sit there for about four years, couldn't do anything. I wasn't a Christian at the time, but I prayed every day," she said.

Her prayers, combined with relentless hard work, led to a comfortable two-bedroom home where she now lives with her husband of five years. Looking back, Bailey, a mother of four and grandmother of five, gets emotional thinking about her journey and where she stands now. She's particularly proud of her successful children.

One son is a music producer, another works in Canada, and the third is a welder. Her daughter went to the University of Technology and then pursued a career in law.

While she has no plans to retire soon, the devoted grandmother does find time to enjoy life.

"Right now, I'm cruising a little. I took a vacation recently, just to relax. I still have the business, but I'm taking it easier for the time being. The good thing is that Access is always there when I'm ready to go after the next goal. It's my time to pace myself. My last child is 28 years old, and I worked hard to take care of them. I'm proud of them, and I'm proud of myself."