Noted entrepreneur Garth Walker has outlined “passion for your brand” as the primary area young persons entering the world of business should focus on as they push forward with hopes of success.

Speaking with Our Today, Walker said: “A lot of people go into business for the money. Don’t let it just be for the money -you have to be passionate about your brand, once you have that, then the money will come.”

Walker, one of the founding directors of Growth Tech and executive chairman of Innovative Systems Limited, shared his advice for success to young people.

Good work ethic

Walker is adamant that the key factors to success in business are passion, discipline and hard work.

Walker said: “The most important thing I’d want to get out there to young people is to have a dream, and be passionate about your dream, but the only way you’re going to be truly successful is with discipline and with hard work.

“Based on what I’ve seen, a lot of this generation doesn’t believe in hard work but you have to be prepared to work seven days a week, some days your friends want to go party and you need to say you’re not going because you have work to do.

“What I see happening is that [coming] out of COVID has created a lot of opportunity – in every adversity comes opportunity and I think this young generation has a better opportunity than what I did at that age.

Access information

Walker pointed out the convenience that exists today with accessing information over the Internet. The volume and speed at which new information can be capitalised is unprecedented and commonly under-utilised.

“There is a lot of opportunity right here in Jamaica right now, coming out of COVID, in every adversity, and I think this young generation has a better chance to capitalise on it.”

Find a mentor

Walker said it was invaluable to find someone who has the experience or expertise to be able to advise, guide or inspire you to pursue the correct paths in your ventures.

“There are a lot more persons now who make themselves available to give advice to upcoming entrepreneurs now compared to the past, especially via online. Create a plan, vet your plan, let someone more experienced than you peruse the plan, make your changes,” said Walker.

When asked about trust concerns, Walker said: “The truth is, if you’re always going to have trust concerns, no matter the business you’re in, trust factors are always going to come up. I don’t think something where you can just get over it, but you can learn how to manage it.”