Eric Coore is a passionate woodwork enthusiast who discovered his innate skill in the craft during his early teenage years. He vividly recalls while in third form at Ardenne High School that he carved a map of Jamaica for a woodwork assignment for which he scored 99 per cent. It solidified his competence in the vocation.

After completing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Technology, Jamaica, in 1998, Mr Coore went on to pursue courses in upholstering, AutoCAD and interior decorating at the HEART NSTA Trust as a means of augmenting his woodworking expertise. 

“The big vision was that I wanted to learn about décor, so in creating my pieces, people will see it in their space as a nice décor piece,” he said adding that his focus is on ensuring his creations are not only functional, but aesthetically appealing.

“I always knew I wanted to turn my love for woodworking into a thriving business,” he said.

Twenty years ago, Coore, a mechanical engineer, embarked on his entrepreneurial dream with the support of his wife, Kaya. The combination of his craftmanship and her love for plants led to the construction of their first project, a planter box, which generated many commendations.

“I started making a number of them. I got the opportunity to put them in a few stores, and it grew from that.”

This humble beginning laid the foundation for Kabreco Designs, a family business, that has become synonymous with quality bespoke wooden accessories.

The company, which operates in Morris Meadows in Portmore, St Catherine, prides itself on having an extensive product line of customised and personalised products for homes and offices. For home décor, they supply monograms, photo frames, planters, clocks, plant stands, and key holders. Their kitchen pieces include cutting boards, serving trays and coaster sets. For offices, they create desk organisers, mouse pads, and sophisticated desk caddies.

Kabreco Designs was one of close to 50 small and micro businesses that participated at the JN Mall Pop-up Shopping Experience, held in the parking lot of JN Bank Chief Office, Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, recently. It was the second consecutive year that The Jamaica National Group organised the event to provide opportunities for artisans to showcase their products and services to a wider audience.  For more than two decades, the organisation has been a staunch supporter of small enterprises through the provision of micro and small business loans.

Mrs Coore, who previously worked as a dietitian for 19 years, serves as the managing director of the company.  She pointed out that the name, Kabreco Designs, was derived from the family’s names, combining “KA” from Kaya, “BRE” from Breanna—the name of their daughter—and “CO” from their surname, Coore.

“When we had our second child, we wanted her to be part of the business name as well. So, we named her Kaleesi, ensuring her initial “KA” is also represented in Kabreco. This name symbolises our family’s unity and creativity. The ‘Designs’ part of the name emphasises our focus on designing and manufacturing unique, stylish and functional wooden pieces,” Mrs Coore explained.

She related that in the early years of the family business, one of the biggest challenges they faced was acquiring the right equipment to produce high-quality pieces efficiently. 

“Limited tooling made it difficult to balance productivity with the level of craftsmanship

we envisioned. To overcome this, we reinvested in the business and got grants to upgrade our tools and machinery. This significantly improved both the efficiency and quality of making the products,” she disclosed.

“Another ongoing challenge has been staffing- finding people who are not only skilled, but [who] also share the commitment to excellence and creativity that defines our work. To address this, we focused on building a team culture that emphasises growth, mentorship, and pride in craftsmanship.”

Currently, the company employs persons on demand. Over the years, more than 10 artisans have gained employment.

Mr Coore disclosed that the company sources wood from several local lumber yards that supply a wide range of lumber harvested from across the country.  He explained that several factors are considered when choosing wood for the business.

“The selection process is influenced by grain variation and spalting (colouring of the wood due to fungus), which are features that are often considered defects.  We view these imperfections as opportunities to create unique, artistic pieces that highlight the natural beauty of the wood,” he said.

“The natural variations in grain and density guide our decisions on which type of wood to use for specific projects, ensuring the best balance of aesthetics and functionality for each creation,” he added.

The Coores envision their business becoming the renowned provider of uniquely crafted wooden accessories, recognised not only in Jamaica but throughout the Caribbean.