IN the days leading up to this year’s JounenKwéyòl celebration, I found myself captivated by a young man’s display of JounenKwéyòl accessories.
Kevin “Acha” Joseph sat with his girlfriend, unassumingly tending to the business of his craft. I had seen my share of Creole Day themed accessories, but had not seen such a large assortment from one vendor. I was curious about his story, so I decided to find out more.
Kevin “Acha” Joseph is what some people might have considered just another incarceration statistic waiting to happen. He grew up in the City Gate area, raised by his single mother who passed away when he was only fourteen. At the time, Joseph was a fourth form student at the Leon Hess Comprehensive School and had to make an uncommon decision for most teens. Without a supportive father, he was forced to choose between whether to continue his education or not. His decision was a no-brainer: he would successfully continue his secondary education and go on to pursue tertiary education.
Overcoming Adversity
In 1999, after completing his studies in Electrical Installation, Joseph graduated together with a group of four out of a class of fourteen. Although he encountered much difficulty in his post-graduation job search for years, he eventually began what initially was a lucrative career. He has worked as a switcher for Daher Broadcasting Services, a technician and manager for two local solar companies and serviced elevators for an elevator company.
About seven years ago, Joseph lost his job. Since he was especially adept at installing and servicing solar energy systems, he decided to work independently, earning an income using the skills he’d honed in previous years. About four years ago, he experienced another setback. Business began to slow down. Joseph explained that after a month of not receiving any service calls, he realized that he had to explore additional sources of income.
His Craft
With the encouragement of a friend and his significant other, Joseph began to develop another skill which had gone untapped for years, one which highlighted a more creative side of him. He started by teaching himself the art of creating JounenKwéyòl themed corsages which he sold near the roadsides in Castries and perfected with time. After realizing that many other vendrs also made corsages, he decided to expand his creative repertoire. Using madras fabric, he enhanced readymade chains, bangles, belts and earrings, and later decided to create earrings with inexpensive raw materials, a decision that proved to be a lot more cost effective for his roadside business. In the meantime, he struggled with finding a stable location to sell, but his products gained popularity with JounenKweyol shoppers searching for unique accessories.
When one determined student wanted to have her shoes altered for a JounenKwéyòl event, another product was born. Though he was initially skeptical to take on this project, he thanks the Vide Bouteille Secondary schoolgirl who tested his potential. Her shoes were well received, and since then, he’s catered to many satisfied customers who have had their shoes and jeans altered for JounenKwéyòl patterns.
Inspiration from an Unlikely Source
Unsurprisingly, Joseph still faces his struggles as a craftsman and independent contractor. His own experiences with loss of employment have taught him that jobs are never guaranteed, but that entrepreneurship presents him with freedom and endless possibilities. His biggest setback is his lack of a stable location, a major hindrance to his business. In the meantime, he tries to stay inspired.
For many people, the thought of a personal role model may bring to mind political heroes or other public figures who have been lauded through the accounts of numerous admirers. Others, like Joseph, have personal heroes who are closer to home: his deceased mother, who encouraged him to pursue an education, and his girlfriend, who encourages him in his business ventures.
When Joseph mentioned one particular person who inspired him, it was truly a testament to the adage that everyone has some bad and good qualities. Joseph explained that he once met a notorious gang leader by chance, through a friend. Unsurprisingly, he had his own reservations about a man he deemed to have a very serious demeanour. Later, through his interaction with this unlikely personal hero, Joseph found a man who encourages him to never give up, stay determined and live his best life.
Last Words
I asked Joseph what advice he had for young people who want to start their own businesses and he offered some cogent advice: be positive, respect others, respect elders and give thanks for everything. For those who struggle with the uncertainties of unemployment, he offered this dynamic piece of advice: “Your brain and your two hands are all you need.”