Michelle Chong, founder of the Honey Bun Foundation and CEO of Honey Bun Limited, recently hosted a select group of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners in an exclusive lunch-hour business master class.

The event, which took place at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew, marked the first of the foundation’s CEO Luncheon Series.

Chosen through the foundation’s GAPP app – a free diagnostic tool that helps SMEs identify and bridge gaps in their operations – five diverse businesses representing the pharmaceutical, agriculture and food manufacturing industries took part.

Drawing on over 40 years of leadership experience at the helm of Honey Bun Limited, a publicly traded company, Chong shared valuable insights, answered questions, and challenged attendees to think boldly about growth and sustainability. Discussions during lunch ranged from succession planning and managing family businesses to securing investments and scaling operations.

A key takeaway was the role of passion, which Chong described as the driving force behind entrepreneurial success. However, she stressed that passion must be balanced with a clear vision and disciplined execution.

Her advice included:

• Turning challenges into opportunities by focusing on solutions rather than obstacles.

• Narrowing business focus and avoiding the trap of trying to please everyone.

• Leading with core values, especially when hiring, cultivates the right company culture.

• Maintaining integrity, especially in preparation for the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s upcoming micro market to be launched in 2026.

The luncheon also fostered peer-to-peer learning, with participants exchanging strategies and innovative ideas. Chong emphasised that collaboration, not competition, is a key driver of growth.