The first in the 2011 W.D.

Carter Lecture series facilitated a well received presentation on

entrepreneurship at the main auditorium of Northern Caribbean University’s Mandeville campus

on January 26, 2011. The W.D. Carter Lecture was hosted through the College of Business and

Hospitality Management and featured guest presenter, Jason Henzell, CEO of Jakes Boutique

Hotel.

In his inspiring address, laden with many of his personal experiences, Henzell argued that

Jamaica had many survivors, but not enough Entrepreneurs. To bring closer to view the heart of

the matter, Henzell shared the financial challenges his company faced as a result of the global

recession and words of advice and encouragement. 

 “When your back is against the wall, the entrepreneur has to be more creative,” he charged.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Despite the economic downturn, Jakes Boutique Hotel

has continued to hold its ground in the tourism sector and has copped several prestigious awards

that speak to its continued success including the NCB Nation Builder 2010 Award.

 “Companies that have survived the recession, are the ones that made the right decisions,”

Henzell stated.

Desmond Brown, a student in the College of Business and Hospitality Management who majors

in entrepreneurship said, “Henzell allowed us to stand in his shoes and see the world through his

entrepreneurial eyes.”  He added: “I was inspired by the lecture. Entrepreneurs must be resilient

and Hanzell has shown that if we are to be true entrepreneurs, we cannot be afraid to take the

plunge – to take a risk.”

Brown articulated with untamed excitement the precepts that Hanzell shared. “Whether your

resources are scarce or not, you have to apply yourself. You must have a vision of where you

want to go and be prepared to make tough decisions,” he said. 

What left a lasting impression on Brown and many other students however, was the strong link

between Hanzell's entrepreneurial exploits and nation building. 

Hanzell founded and chairs a registered non-profit organization dedicated to community

projects in St Elizabeth. Some of organization’s activities include the building and equipping of a

computer lab in the community’s basic school, the staging of the annual literary festival –

Calabash, training a volunteer corps of emergency response personnel, installing a radio system

and GPS system for the local fishermen and sponsoring local football and cricket teams. The

latest project is the development of a Sports Park for the community which is now in phase two

of completion.