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Massy Distribution and the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) staged a financial workshop to enlighten attendees on how to stay steadfast on the journey to success and effectively manage their funds to attain financial stability. 

Breakfast, lunch, bun and cheese, and financial advice were the promises delivered by the hosts on March 27. Stories of trials and triumphs stirred the emotionally charged atmosphere, as people listened to the anecdotes on financial and life tips. A recurring theme of ‘resilience’ and hard work emerged with every speaker’s recount of their journeys in hopes of providing inspiration.

The delightful host, Public Relations and Corporate Events Executive, Tazhna Williams gave her introductions, and the event began with an address from Myers, Fletcher and Gordon, Associate, Jezeel Martin titled ‘Creating Your Money Mindset’. He recounted his life’s story and advised on being fiscally responsible and not giving up on your dreams. In his recount, he paid homage to his mother and his sister as key influences in his life, “Never feel that you are alone, you are never alone. It’s a lie that we tell ourselves.” He said. “Keep fighting, you don’t know if you give up now you are giving up on your blessings,” he added

Martin recalled when his boss at the time started a GoFundMe to support his schooling, to which he was reluctant. However, US$12,000 was raised in that effort, which he allocated to his university fees. He also recalled when he started a job as a house cleaner to supplement funding for law school.

“Can you imagine that? The poor little boy from August Town… a really far mi a come from yuh know?” he said.

“God got me into the position to where I became a lawyer,” he remarked. “I don’t consider myself exceptional, I’m not unique…if I did it and others did it, you can do it, too.”

Martin is now a lawyer, who invests in stocks and real estate.

His story of humility and resilience was well received by the attendees, evidenced by vigorous applause and cheers that filled the Massy pavilion.

Strategist and corporate communications manager, Patria-Kaye Charles, in her speech, highlighted how her teachers took issue with her constant talking in class.

“I’m talking to you right now and I’m being paid to do it,” she said.

“Right now, at this stage of your journey, it’s very important to figure out what you love,” she added.

There was a time in her life when she started a candy company called ‘Sweetie’, operated by herself and one other employee.

“When you find that passion in your belly and you find that thing that you love, I’m going to suggest finding people who are doing that thing.”

An attendee asked how one could figure out a career path, to which Charles replied, “Try different things and see what really resonates… find what you really like.”

Award-winning financial journalist Kalilah Reynolds’ presentation, titled ‘Planning for Your Future’, gave attendees hope as she delved into her journey to find her calling in finance.

“I didn’t start figuring out life till I was about thirty-five,” she said. “I realised that there were stories behind numbers that need to be told.”

But this was not before the hardships of moving to a Jamaica from Belize with a young child, along with the ebbs and flows of life as she figured out her niche.

She asserted that life can be expensive, and this is where effective planning comes into play. She spoke about discipline, and keeping with the building theme of the morning. 

“A lot of thinking goes into how you live your  life,” she said. “You have to find it [money] to save. You have to find money to save.”

She implored that you should not “save your savings for last” as she encouraged attendees to pay themselves first, forcing them to survive on the rest.

“To create wealth you have to make your money work for you..  but you have to have the money first,” she said. “You can’t just do savings alone…”

Inflation was noted as a variable that would diminish your savings.

“Your money will not be worth the same as it does now,” Reynolds advised.

Reynolds gave three keys to wealth creation, along with their pros and cons:

1. Entrepreneurship- Time-consuming but most rewarding
2. Real estate- wealth and value are stored in the property, however it is expensive to attain.
3. Investing in stocks- Efficient and cost-effective.

She went on to explain that stocks are a person’s part ownership of a company and how an investor makes money from stocks, which were:

• Dividends – Your share of a company’s profits. Note: Not all companies pay dividends.
• Price appreciation – When the price of the stock goes up. You can sell and make a profit. Buy low and sell high.

According to an employee, Massy Distribution makes their employees automatic stockholders within the company.

Reynolds also encouraged folks to open an investment account, as “this can lead you on the path to wealth”.

The attendees learned a great deal about how to be financially successful— and were warned about the notion of an easy path to attain riches. They learned the steps to take once they realise their individual goals, planning, money management and most importantly the significance of perseverance when trying to be financially free.