Carmen Hope-Thomas turned her passion for all-natural black hair and skincare into a profitable business venture on the island of Jamaica. Based in Yallahs, St. Thomas, The CEO of Zipporah Hair and Skin Limited, immediately fell in love with the island’s rich culture when she moved to the country in 2018. With a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, Thomas took the risk by moving her business from the United States of America to Jamaica, surpassing her expectations.
Jamaica is now attracting an increasing level of global investors interest
ed in making worthwhile investments in manufacturing, business outsourcing and tourism. In 2020, Global statistics ranked the notorious island as number 6 when it comes to the ease of starting a business that will bring significant returns on investments. Thomas took this opportunity to re-establish, re-brand and re-emerge as a premium hair and skincare company created for people of colour both locally and abroad.
“Investment and investors were easier to procure once they recognise the vision of the company here in Jamaica,” said Thomas. “In the U.S, this was just a side hustle, but here it became an enterprise. In Jamaica, it was easier to procure investment as soon as I was able to look at my starting cost and the return I would make just fr
om the affordability of the labour cost,” she explained.
Thomas took her line of Organic Hemp Oil Infused Hair Butter, Intense Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner and Hydrating Leave-In Mist to Jamaica, which rapidly became a household necessity within the Caribbean. She has also pioneered a natural Kojic Acid skin regime in Jamaica with Zipporah’s Kojic Acid Face Wash, Moisturiser, Face Scrub and Dark Spot Remover Serum.
Distributed by Orion Distributors, Zipporah Hair and Skin is available throughout the Caribbean, United Kingdom and the U.S. The company recently accomplished a milestone by becoming available on Amazon. “This is a testament to our growth as a small company. Being on Amazon gives us an International platform to promote Jamaican excellence,” said Thomas.
The startup ecosystem in the country is booming and shows evident dynamism and symptoms of development. Its diverse economy is encouraging enthusiastic entrepreneurs, which is having positive effects on the country’s economy. Jamaica is considered one of the best countries to start a business, and it offers the most solid startup ecosystem in the Caribbean.
Compared to 190 global economies, it takes a minimum of 3 days to establish a standardised company in Jamaica, making it among the top
10 easiest countries to start and grow a business. In 2019 the country’s stock market was also deemed the best in the world for global investors. Its outperformance over the past five years is even more striking. Jamaican stocks have surged by almost 300 per cent.
“I wanted to create a company for the health and wellbeing of black people. The high levels of toxic chemicals found in most products marketed at people of colour are disheartening. By moving to Jamaica, I was able to accomplish this aspiration and so much more.
Comments