St Elizabeth baker gears up for busy holiday season

Brompton, St Elizabeth-based baker and entrepreneur Valrie Brooks is among the thousands of Jamaican small business operators who are eagerly anticipating the increase in business the holiday usually brings.

Armed with a fully-stocked pantry, and brilliant skills passed down from her mother, Brooks said she is ready to start pushing out her famous fruit cakes and fill orders for weddings.

"I have orders from now until January. Preparation began weeks ago. I used my partner draw this time around and took advantage of an event held in Black River couple months ago where I did some advertising. So many people came up to me and asked about my cakes and I got some orders too," said Brooks, referencing the booth space she received from Access Financial Services on Black River Day in October.

Brooks, a customer of the micro-finance company, was invited to participate in the 'Champion of Small Business' campaign through which the company gives exposure to its small business customers to promote their products.

"I will always be grateful to Access. The loan process is easy, and they don't leave you out. My loans officer is always checking to make sure everything is alright. When I got the call about Black River Day, I was excited, and it paid off. It has been good having Access on my side. Together we are a winning team," Brooks asserted.

Now in its second year, the campaign has been providing opportunities for customers of the micro-lender to showcase their businesses.

"We have leveraged our marketing opportunities for the benefit of our business customers as well. That's why you will see our customers right alongside the Access team when we go out on the road, demonstrating by their presence exactly what a relationship with Access Financial can do for your small business," said Hugh Campbell, Access Financial Services' CEO.

For Brooks, who is also a dressmaker, business over the holiday period helps her start the new year on a strong footing. Noting that some months can be "very slow", Brooks said she's thankful for the support of people around her who provide encouragement and even financial aid during tough times.

"It's not easy being in business. So I'm grateful for the busy season. I wouldn't mind if we had another Christmas in the middle of the year. Right now I'm going to go from doing about six cakes per week, to maybe 20 per week until the year ends, plus wedding cakes," she said.

"I have to pause the sewing until January month end. I don't normally get anyone to help with the baking because I want to ensure that the quality is consistent. Can't disappoint my customers. But someday I want to expand and open a shop, train some people to take on certain tasks so I can focus on other things," Brooks explained.

For now, the 59-year-old entrepreneur is revelling in the business of the season and giving thanks for opportunities to express her creativity in special wedding cakes and other sweet creations for the festive season.