#Kingston, February 28, 2019 – Jamaica – It is said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This is true for entrepreneur Melissa Preddie, who has created a successful jewellery business by recycling plastic bottles.
It was
in 2012, after finding herself unemployed, that she thought of utilising the
empty containers, which she had saved over time, to create items that persons
would love and, hopefully, purchase.
“I got
the idea to do some research and see what I could come up with. I started out making hair accessories, and
then the demand for jewellery started, so I diverted to jewellery and now I am
also doing art pieces,” Miss Preddie tells JIS
News. Out of ingenuity and creativity,
her business, Aviola Accessories, was born.
Through
the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Miss Preddie received a
$60,000 grant, which she used to purchase materials, tools and equipment to
start the jewellery line, and assistance to speed up production.
“I
later became an affiliate with the Social Development Commission (SDC), and
they helped with marketing and promotion. Whenever they would have outings in
the Mandeville community where I am from, they would call me and I would go and
set up (displays), so that persons could see what innovative ideas can come
from just about anything,” Miss Preddie tells JIS News.
Through
the SDC’s Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP), she also benefited
from a $50,000 grant and was able to grow her business even more. She moved Aviola Accessories from Manchester
to St. Andrew to better serve the growing customer base in the Corporate Area.
SDC
Local Economic Development Coordinator for the parishes of Manchester and St.
Elizabeth, Damian Lowe, says Aviola Accessories was among enterprises that
received business development coaching. He
says that the small business stood out because “here is a young person taking
up the mantle of not only looking about a business but caring for the
environment”.
“Therefore,
we wanted to be a part of this journey, through our Local Economic Development
Support Programme,” he tells JIS News.
Aviola
Accessories is now an LEDSP ambassador, and Miss Preddie will be sharing her
story and experience in a more organsied and meaningful way to other aspiring
business owners or persons, who are just starting a business.
“We
are going to create a platform for a bigger buzz around Aviola Accessories, so
that a greater audience can be reached, but also so that she can give back,”
Mr. Lowe says.
Miss
Preddie says being an LEDSP ambassador “is a wonderful feeling. I was ecstatic
when I was told. It is a feeling of accomplishment at the same time, because
when I started Aviola I didn’t foresee any of this happening, so to be chosen is
really humbling”.
Aviola
Accessories’ intricate jewellery, including earrings, bracelets, necklaces and
rings, which can be customised, and art pieces, can be viewed on the business’
Facebook and Instagram pages under the same name.
Over
the years, the company’s clientele has grown from women, who love jewellery and
art, to now include men and anyone interested in environmentally friendly
items.
“I use
the plastic bottles to make faux stones for the jewelry,” Ms. Preddie explains
to JIS News.
She
notes that “four years ago it was a challenge to convert buyers and sell the
idea to them to buy sustainable and recyclable as opposed to buying precious
stones. Fast forward to now, persons are now gravitating towards eco-friendly products.
They are going green and it’s not just a thing, it’s a lifestyle. That is what
my brand now promotes through its core values of lifestyle, environment and
empowerment”.
Aviola
Accessories also has corporate customers, including the Jamaica Manufacturers
and Exporters’ Association (JMEA) for which it created a line of penholders utilsing
plastic bottles and wood, and Couples Resorts, for which the business will be manufacturing
eco-friendly jewellery in 2019.
With
no formal training in jewellery-making, Miss Preddie attributes her creativity
to her late parents and grandmother. It was after her father’s passing that she
learned of his own creative skills in upcycling glass bottles to create
lanterns. She pays homage to them
through her brand, Aviola, which is an amalgam of all their names.
As Miss
Preddie looks to expand her business, she is hoping to carve out a niche in the
corporate gifts and home décor markets. She
also wants Aviola Accessories to be seen as an environmental advocate.
“We
want to move to the point where we are partnering with local, like-minded
organisations such as the Jamaica Environment Trust to push the awareness of
recycling to another level. We see
ourselves as advocates for recycling, not just locally but overseas. We want to make people aware that even though
there are other options, sustainability is the way to go because we have to
preserve our environment in order for us to enjoy our planet earth that we love
so much,” she tells JIS News.
By Charnele Henry
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of Aviola Accessories, Melissa Preddie, at a recent Social Development Commission (SDC) Farmers Fest in Mandeville, Manchester.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has declared Jamaica a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) island with a vision of fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and empowering citizens to thrive in the global knowledge economy.
“Through our collaborative all-hands-on-deck approach, Government, private sector, academia and civil society, we will work towards this goal. Jamaica is now officially declared a STEM island,” he said.
Prime Minister Holness was addressing the Future Ready International Conference held at the University of Technology (UTech) in Kingston on April 24.
As a STEM island, he said that the Government will seek to implement comprehensive education reforms from the primary to the tertiary levels, with the objective of developing a skilled workforce, capable of competing in global markets.
He said that ecosystems will be developed to encourage startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the STEM disciplines to drive industry and economic growth, as well as to address social issues.
“We will encourage the growth of STEM industries such as biotechnology, information technology and advanced manufacturing. We will also leverage STEM to grow and monetise the musical, artistic, cultural and other natural talents of our people. We will leverage STEM solutions to address environmental challenges including climate change, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture,” the Prime Minister said.
“We will position Jamaica as a hub for STEM research, innovation, collaboration and other developments in the Caribbean and beyond,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that by embracing STEM as a national priority, Jamaica will unlock its full potential driving prosperity, peace and productivity in a sustainable, equitable way for all our Jamaican citizens and, indeed, the world,” Holness said.
“Founded on the principles of Unity, sisterhood and community service,” is how Alicia Swann, One Nation TCI Founder, and President, describes the organization as it gears up for its inaugural showing, to be marked by a pageant and parade of nations, family fun day and cultural show.
When Magnetic Media spoke to Swann she explained the inspiration behind the name.
“The reason why we chose ‘One Nation’ was because we wanted to ensure that all of our beautiful ladies within the Turks and Caicos feel as if they are a part of our society. Speaking with the ladies I’ve gotten the opinion that a lot of them feel as if they are in our country but they don’t actually feel fully a part of it,” she explained. With constants whose heritages span the DR and TCI, TC-Trinidadians and more the contest is showcasing the rich and diverse culture of the country.
At least two contestants flew in from the UK and the US to participate in the pageant and the event is not just an array of pretty girls.
“We’ve taken the aspects of pageantry to another level, the young ladies have a platform based on our pillars of the organization which include education and mental health,” Swann continued “We wanted to ensure that they understand the value and importance of having a role and voice in society.”
The contestants were all allowed to choose an area to speak on and advocate for, and the President told Magnetic Media that so far the young women are taking the challenge seriously. There are 10 contestants overall, five in the ‘Miss’ category and five in the ‘Teen’ category.
The pageant is already receiving regional recognition as the eventual winner has been invited to take part in a regional pageant in St Kitts in August, a feat which Swann says she is extremely proud of.
In addition to that event a cultural showing, family fun day and parade of nations will be held.
“We will be honoring people from across the Turks and Caicos, out of every island, for their lifetime achievement in terms of giving back to their society. The persons being honoured are unsung heroes. They have been active in their communities in various roles and we felt the need to recognize all of them.” Swann explained.
The Founder didn’t share the names of those being honoured, preferring to leave it a surprise but did drop hints about who would be highlighted during the event; a smiling clinic nurse in South Caicos, a Grand Turk Taxi driver committed to the island’s development, a dedicated principal from North Caicos, a shipping pioneer from North Caicos as well and a creative founder from Providenciales.
“Our company is huge on ensuring that the community is involved and a part of doing that is ensuring that persons in the community are honoured,” the president said.
Several sponsors have stepped up to the plate including
No monetary support has come from TCIG but endorsements from both Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, and Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, have been shared and the girls are currently undergoing intense training with a pageant coach in preparation for their big night.
Swann is hoping that once the community has a chance to see what One Nation TCI is doing they’ll understand the importance of the events,
“We are a diverse culture and society and– we want people to understand the importance of diversity, supporting our young ladies and empowering them so they can see they have a role in the Turks and Caicos– The more we offer our young ladies [the more] we are able to retain that talent. Once they feel empowered the sky’s the limit.”
The Pageant and Crowning will be on the 25 and 26th of April while the parade and family fun day will be held on the 27th.
#Kingston, Jamaica, April 24, 2024 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is to unveil two more water trucks this week, which will be used to service communities in St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine.
Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
He also informed that of the $90 million earmarked to support farmers being impacted by the current drought, the Ministry will be providing additional support for storage and drip-irrigation systems.
“So, we have targeted about 600 water tanks and about 400 12-millimetre drip irrigation hoses, and that distribution has already started. Additionally, we have earmarked about $8 million to really help with our livestock farmers,” Mr. Green said.
“We know the difficulty that you’re facing now in this time; [it’s] very hard to get the right nutritional support for your animals. As such, we will be providing some hay, and we will [also] provide some trucking of water to you. Again, our livestock farmers, if you are in need, please contact the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and let us see how we can help in these times,” he further stated.
Mr. Green also encouraged farmers to download the RADA App, so that the Agency can “help guide you, not only in relation to what is happening on the rainfall side, but also in relation to your integrated pest management”.
“We do see some increases of certain types of pests during this time, and it’s important that our farmers are paying attention to that. It’s also important that you’re taking drought management seriously [by undertaking] soil mulching, looking at planting drought-tolerant crops, timely harvesting, implementing land husbandry treatments and contour ditches,” he stated.
Contact: Latonya Linton
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, speaking during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.