JEMS Progressive Community Organization will sponsor a two-part business development workshop on Saturday, February 13, and Saturday, February 20. The workshop will be held from 1- 5 p.m. each week at the newly renovated JEMS headquarters building and community centre in Enhams.{{more}}The workshop series will cover the nuts and bolts of starting a business. Topics to be covered include creating a business philosophy and overall strategy, defining products, product pricing, product production and product distribution; developing a sales and marketing strategy, budgets and financial systems; and establishing a business start-up timetable.

An anticipated outcome of the workshop will be the establishment of a JEMS owned and managed handicraft business, initially offering textile arts, specifically tie-dyed and batik fabrics which were the focuses of a JEMS seven-part workshop series in 2008 and 2009. It is expected that the product offerings of the new business will grow over time, with all items hand-crafted in St. Vincent.

Participants in the earlier textile arts training who are interested in becoming involved in the JEMS handicraft business venture are encouraged to attend the business development workshops offered on February 13 and 20.

Other individuals interested in starting their own businesses are also welcome to attend the workshops. With a lot of important material to be covered in two sessions, it is important that participants attend both workshops.

Persons interested in being a part of this specialized training should contact one of the following JEMS members: Andrew Simmons at 532-3009, Yoland London at 530-0627, Annetta Jackson at 526-1402, or Ann Crytser at 533-0412.

The free workshop is funded by a grant from the UNDP Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme.