Founder and managing director of Torpedo Loan Rohan Silvera is urging students pursuing business subjects at the Jose Marti High School to be intentional in their approach towards their studies as they would be graduating into an extremely competitive work environment.

He also encouraged them to strive towards establishing successful business enterprises of their own.

Addressing a Motivational and Guided Painting Session held by the Torpedo Loan Foundation for for Grade 10 and 11 business students and their parents at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Saturday, the businessman advised the students that success in any endeavour, including business, requires fixity of purpose to overcome failure.

“I started several businesses and they failed. To fail at something doesn’t make you a failure. I started a sports bar, a restaurant… I sold scrap metal… they all failed, but I kept going. Success does not mean you won’t fail; it is continuing to work towards your goals, it is about being intentional,” he expressed.

“You can raise capital by holding fund-raisers, by leveraging partnerships, [but] the most important thing is to trust in God and keep pushing forward. We have all experienced uncertainty — not quite certain about next year — but God has given you life, so pray and hope God gives you life tomorrow,” Silvera added.

He said more important than having lots of money and other requirements to invest in a business, being focused was most critical, as that would strengthen them to keep going when the going got rough. 

The Torpedo Foundation Chairman urged the students not to waste time or disregard the sacrifice of their parents but, rather, to embrace working hard at their studies.

“Don’t waste time and be careful of the company you keep, surround yourself with people who have positive goals, work hard and don’t be fearful of failing,” Silvera urged.

Guest Speaker and investment advisor at Sagicor Life Cleon Walchie recounted his journey of overcoming many setbacks, including his own fear of speaking in public to become a top speaker with Toastmaster International and giving presentations around the globe. He also urged the students to be positive and goal-oriented, noting that they all “need to discover your why”.

“What is your why? I’m going to ask you to find out what is your why, what is your dream. Then I am here to tell you that you don’t rise to the level of your dreams, but fall to the level of your systems. Let today be the best version of you,” Walchie said.

Also addressing the function was businesswoman Antoinette Ennis who urged the students to have a strong vision, to be diligent and persistent to achieve success, while pastor of the St Johns Road/Green Acres Church of the Nazarene Valin Smith recounted his journey from being denied entry to the army due to having flat feet, to achieving success in business including owning a chain of supermarkets in the Netherland Antilles.

The Torpedo Loan Foundation currently sponsors over 100 children in underserved St Catherine communities to the tune of around $1 million monthly, through an arrangement including involvement by the parents and schools, ensuring that they have the financial means and supervision to attend school regularly including lunch money, bus fares and school supplies.

The foundation commits to sponsoring them for six years while monitoring their progress annually. Among the qualifying conditions is that their parents or caregivers attend Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings regularly so that they can track their child’s performance and needs. Regular Church attendance is also encouraged, though not mandatory, and the foundation also helps to direct families in need to the PATH programme so they can access additional assistance.