Church people business on show in Old Harbour

All seems to be in one accord, however, at the Church of God of Prophecy, Old Harbour where 32 entrepreneurs converged last Saturday to promote their goods and services.
Kaydian Malcolm, co-ordinator of the Next Gen Small Business Trade Show, said the idea is to address some of the earthly needs of the Christian family.

“Covid has destroyed a lot of businesses and pushback a lot of things so they were really excited for this opportunity where they can come and showcase their stuff, to gain new clientele and to actually make some sales today, so they are really elated for this opportunity,” said Malcolm, a member of the church. 

“To see all the businesses with their booth; I mean, it is really looking beautiful. It shocks me really to see how they setup and the dedication and commitment they showed today.
Seventy-eight percent of shop owners at the trade show are members of the Christian denomination, an entitlement that saw their registration being waved, while non-members pay $5,000.

Crowd support was less than what the organisers hoped for, but  Malcolm deemed their debut attempt – executed within two months – a success and “most definitely” will push to make it an annual extravaganza.

Malcolm, owner of D’Signed By Kay Concepts, added: “A lot of people think that as church people we are just heavenly minded and have no earthly use. But I think that opening up our environment like this it shows that we are human too and we really want to include the community members on a wider scale, hence why we have this going on. So we want to let them know that we want them incorporated into our church family as well.”

Dario Lawrence is the branch manager of OCA Express, a newly established courier company in Old Harbour that offers free delivery in and around the community. Its office is located at 31 Darlington Drive, across from the wheel alignment stand.

“I’m really, really glad I’m here,” said Lawrence before admitting not knowing about many of the business prior to now. “I have been in operation for the past five months and going. It’s being going very good.”

Lawrence, a native and resident of Old Harbour, said the aim is to “make our footprint as big as possible”.

“I schedule my deliveries that make the customer happy,” he said.

Shelly-Ann Supria, owner of Pryas Collections Ltd, is one of the proprietors, who is a non-member of the Bowers Drive-based church. She’s has been operating in Old Harbour for the last 18 months at 4 Darlington Drive where she offers a wide variety of items such a clothing, accessories, household, and décor.

“We do deliveries in and around Old Harbour,” she tells Old Harbour News. “Also if you are outside Old Harbour we facilitate that service via Knutsford Express or Zip Mail or a bearer.”
“It’s been great so far,” Supria said of the decision to setup a branch in Old Harbour. “I am extremely pleased with the feedback from everyone, they have been really supportive. If you come in store we offer layaway plan. You can pay down a minimum of $500 in store and we hold that item for a month for you.”

Not bad for a first attempt. Now the organisers have something to guide their steps next time in highlighting the businesses that exist amongst its membership and around the community.

“A lot of persons have stated their interest for next year so we will go bigger and we will go better next year,” said Malcolm.

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