Entrepreneur escapes ‘dark’ days to see business thrive

Kemba Walters-Bryan once found herself pleading with the Jamaica Public Service not to cut off her electricity, struggling to keep the lights on until she could clear a package from her courier business to pay the bill.

Today, she stands as an example of success, leading a thriving business, Credence Global Logistics, and nurturing a beautiful family. Raised in Portmore, Kingston, Walters-Bryan's career path initially led her through the corridors of banking, where she spent years honing her skills. But she found herself yearning for more.

"I didn't have any passion for it any more," she reflected. "I started to lose passion for it." A pivotal moment marked the genesis of her entrepreneurial spirit.

"I was praying and just hoping and asking God for a divine direction," she recounted. That direction manifested in the form of Right Moves & Consultants, a venture that eventually pivoted into the courier business, Credence Global Logistics. Starting small, Walters-Bryan operated her fledgling business from the confines of her own home, packing parcels in the back of her Honda, amid personal challenges.

"I was pregnant at the time with my first child," she shared. "So it was between me, Knutsford [Express], and the car."

Reflecting on her challenges, she recalled. "My light would cut off every single month, and I'd go up by JPS and beg them just two days." It didn't end there because her financial struggles extended to trust issues with partners.

"Some Jamaicans, in business, them have no integrity," she lamented, reflecting on how a business partner collected monies for packages, didn't pay over and poached her customers.

"I had to drive to Savanna-la-Mar with a five-day-old baby to recover what was left of the business," she said. Despite that, Walters-Bryan was motivated, and eventually expanded her courier service to encompass seven locations across Jamaica and established a warehouse in Fort Lauderdale, USA. Central to her journey has been her unwavering commitment to her team.

"I have a wonderful team and we operate from a place of transparency with our customers," said Walters-Bryan. Her leadership style is deeply rooted in nurturing her employees, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. "Most of whom I employ are from the inner city," she noted, highlighting her efforts to provide opportunities and support for her staff's growth. Her dedication to her team extends beyond professional realms. She prioritises the well-being of her employees, ensuring they feel valued and supported.

"I do everything that I can do to ensure that they are okay, that they're better off, that they're winning." Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with motherhood, Walters-Bryan acknowledged the support of her husband and operations manager, who have been instrumental in enabling her to manage her multiple responsibilities effectively. "My support system has been tremendous," she said. Looking forward, Walters-Bryan envisions a future in which businesses prioritise their employees' welfare and engagement.

"If we took this approach, we would have a way better economy," she said. Her advocacy for employee empowerment and fair treatment underscores her belief in the transformative power of supportive leadership.