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Novia Jerry Stewart is motivated when she is able to see the results of her hard work, but she found that being a pharmacist didn't do that, forcing a career change.

"You give people medication, but you don't know if they actually take it or what happens after. I never liked that," she told THE STAR. "That part of the job just didn't fulfil me." So after more than a decade in healthcare, Jerry Stewart took a bold step. She walked away from the security of her 9-to-5 job and decided to invest fully in something that brought her joy and gave her a front-row seat to seeing the results.

Today, the 36-year-old Westmoreland native is the co-founder of Telos Entertainment Limited, an event company offering DJ services with Big J Entertainment, photo experiences with Big Shots Photo Booth, and custom fragrance bars through Scents & Events.

"I've always wanted to see the end result of my work and now, when I see people smiling, enjoying the photo booth or engaging with the fragrance bar or dancing their hearts out, it gives me that finality. It tells me I did something right."

Her journey started when she began helping her husband with his DJ company part-time. He eventually bought a photo booth and told her she would manage that segment of the business.

"I was still working full-time in healthcare, so I only did it on weekends," she recalled. "Then COVID came, and with all the uncertainty, plus having a baby, I decided I didn't want to return to the 9-to-5. So I went full-time into the photo booth business in 2021." But like many others starting their own businesses, the road to becoming her own boss was rocky.

"I like to budget. I like to know how much money is coming in so I can plan," she said. "So stepping away from that certainty was very scary for me. But I've become more comfortable trusting myself and trusting that I'll make money and it will work out." Still a pharmacist, just not a practising one, her formal education remains useful.

"It helped shape how I think and problem-solve. That comes in handy every day in business," she explained.

So much so that she's now writing a book titled Entertainment Wellness, which brings together her experience in healthcare and events.

"The concept is about designing events that promote wellness and well-being. I'm trying to create a new space entirely and position myself as a thought leader in that area," she said. Like many small business owners, Jerry Stewart faced challenges securing funding.

"Banks don't want to take a chance on start-ups. They wouldn't even give us a business credit card in the beginning. We had to rely on savings and operate very mean, buying only what we needed and make it stretch," she said.

"Even learning the financial side of things was a learning curve. In healthcare, nobody teaches you how to read a balance sheet or manage profit and loss. I had to learn all of that along the way. There were days I wondered if I made the right choice. But my husband believed in me. He kept reminding me that I could do it, and I held on to that."

Jerry Stewart and her husband, who've been together since 2016 and married since 2021, have two children, a three-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter. Together, they've built more than just a business. She's also building relationships with the wider business community, especially through her involvement with the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce.

"Just knowing who the other business owners are, and having them know you, it changes how you operate. It gives you support and perspective and I encourage young businesses to do the same," she said.

To those stuck in 'regular' jobs and thinking about following their passion, Jerry Stewart offered some impactful advice.

"Start a side hustle first. Passion alone doesn't make money. Prove your concept. Make sure people actually want what you're offering and more importantly, that they're willing to pay for it," she advised. The University of Technology alumna has plans to bring in more results.

"We want to evolve into the ultimate event experience company in Jamaica. People don't just want to party any more, they want experiences. Things they've never done before. That's what we're working on."