The Branson Centre is propelling small businesses into the big time...

Entrepreneur: Kevin Earle

KRL Supplies
 
Meet the Maker:
Kevin Earle is a salesman. He worked in sales for nine years but always wanted to be his own boss. A father of three, he’s driven by the desire to create wealth for his family and is already well on his way to achieving this aim. His business sells locally-made Jamaican products, including food and crafts, to the tourism industry. It’s providing employment for local manufacturers in Jamaica, and if Kevin’s dreams are realised, will soon be creating jobs Caribbean-wide.
 
Back to List
Kevin Earle
The golden opportunity:
More people are discovering Jamaica. Government figures suggest the 2010-2011 winter tourist season grew by 9.2 per cent. There’s expected to be a further increase following the expansion of Jamaica’s two airports and a new cruise ship terminal.

It means there is a need for more authentic Jamaican made products for tourists to buy.

Kevin’s company is fulfilling that need.

The business started out as a way to make some extra money to supplement his salary. Soon, when Kevin’s customers started to make requests for items he did not supply, he realised it was possible to turn KRL Supplies into a thriving business.
The business in a nutshell:
From jerk seasoning to leather sandals, peppers to jewellery, Kevin supplies the tourism industry with authentic and unique Jamaican products.

These include food-related products and crafts made by local artists, which can be made to order.

Clients are hotels, gift shops, restaurants, petrol stations and tour attractions. KRL Supplies also has a stand at the local market, because while the tourism industry is seasonal, local trade is all year round.

“My competitors within the craft industry are< importers of craft items as well as wholesale craft distributors,” says Kevin.

KRL Supplies is unique because it sells home grown products.

My ambition is to have a Sandy Bay, Hanover, Jamaica great business where people can feel the energy of good service and reliability.
  - Kevin Earle  

How it’s helping the community:
Kevin’s business showcases Jamaica’s natural talent to an international audience. He buys products that are made locally, which helps provide jobs in the community.

“I would like to create an atmosphere where locals can approach my company to sell and distribute their products,” says Kevin.
The future looks bright:
Self-sufficiency and self-financing. These are Kevin’s immediate hopes for KRL supplies. In its first year, he’d like the business to break even and be looking towards growth. His ambition is to provide more jobs by taking the business to a level where he could have a production space for locals to create new products.

“In five years, I would love to see my business expanding in new areas within the Caribbean and international markets,” says Kevin.
Back to top