St Lucian establishes online marketing firm in SVG

A St Lucian entrepreupeur has established an online business here, despite some persons having labelled the Vincentian economy as weak and flat.

Having been instrumental in the setting up of Aeropost in St Lucia, and working at Aeropost St Vincent and the Grenadines, J-Kwon Freeman has taken the bold step of establing Logistics Plus.

Freeman said it is not without much thought and soul-searching that he took that decision. He said many question his sanity in setting up a business in what has been termed “these hard guava times,” but he is of the firm belief that the private sector, like the Government, has a responsibility for economic growth.

“I gave this thing plenty of thought, for I believe that I can offer to the public a much improved service, compared to what others are offering,” Freeman stated. 

“Yes, St Vincent and the Grenadines, like all others countries, including my country of birth St Lucia, do and are experiencing economic hard times.

“The islands have no natural resources to build an economy, and must rely on assistance from other countries, and must also take loans to develop many programmes.

“Does this mean that we, who have the skill, and know-how, sit back and just complain, or should we get up and take real action to help build the economy?”

Freeman said that although Logistics Plus has already employed a number of persons, he has not arrived at a final figure, for he is still tweaking his product. 

“Yes, I will be employing a number of persons for this is a business, where total customer satisfaction is, and must always remain the number one objective,” Freeman pointed out. “Yes, when one establishes a business, he or she must seek to make a profit, but making a profit without quality customer satisfaction is always counter-productive.”

When asked how Logistics Plus would fit into a market with a number of such establishments already in existence, Freeman said that with his experience in the service industry, “there is quite a bit missing in what customers can be offered, but are not on the receiving end.”

He is of the opinion that too often, customers are short-changed by business persons in their zeal to make a quick buck, and to enjoy huge profits. 

“I, like any other businessman or woman would like to enjoy profits, but in the service industry, which is highly competitive, one must and should always enjoy good customer relations, which will result in he or she enjoying good profits.

“When a business enjoys good profits, the staff will benefit. Changes will be made to the business towards improving the service quality levels to customers.

“However, at the end of the day, it is really good customer service which will make or break a business, and I always believe in providing the best in customer service. We are small enough to care, but big enough to deliver.”