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Wgmahile fast fashion continues to dominate global shopping trends, with trendy clothing delivered at lightning speed, one Jamaican entrepreneur is proving there is still space and demand for quality, custom-made garments.

Jeniese Tomlinson Venson, founder of Jan's School of Fashion in Linstead, St Catherine, is defying the odds and thriving in a market saturated by online mega-retailers.

"Sewing is still a great skill to have, and people know that," Venson told THE STAR.

"I train high school teachers who sew on the side. My students know that it is important to have something to fall back on, or a skill that can add another income stream. So, the interest is there," she added.

But Jan's School of Fashion does not sit and wait for a batch of students to train.

"I have to think outside the box as they say. If I wasn't doing that I would have closed down during the pandemic. If one thing isn't working, something else will," declared Venson.

At the height of the COVID pandemic, when economic activity slowed, she began designing burial gowns and pitched them to funeral homes. The idea took off. Venson now partners with Perry's Funeral Home in Spanish Town, offering a line of tasteful, easy-to-dress burial attire.

"The feedback on the burial gowns has been amazing," Venson said.

"I make them fit for purpose so they're easier for funeral home staff to navigate. Families burying their loved ones also appreciate them, so it's a win for everyone," she added.

Venson has always had an eye for opportunity. She started her business in the 1990s and has since diversified well beyond traditional tailoring. Her offerings now include home decor items like throw pillows and drapes, as well as Afrocentric, Brand Jamaica-inspired garments. Her flexible business model allows her to scale up production by tapping into a network of trusted dressmakers, depending on the volume of orders.

"You have to work smarter, not harder. I don't have full-time employees, but there is a pool of dressmakers I pull from when I get certain orders. I see myself expanding into Kingston and eventually taking on full-time workers. I'm always looking out for new opportunities," she said.

Her sharp business acumen was on full display at Expo Jamaica 2025, where she showcased her designs in the Access Mall--a special exhibition area sponsored by Access Financial Services. Venson was among four small business owners selected by the microfinance institution for the event.

"At the Expo itself, we sold most of the items, the cushions and African print dresses that we brought with us," she said.

"On the second day of the expo, I got an order from a media personality, and I went home and got to work. She picked it up the following morning and wore the dress for the rest of the day."

Even as global platforms like Shein dominate youth culture and online shopping carts, Venson believes there's a loyal market for authentic, locally made fashion.

"Yes, people are buying from Shein online, but there is still a market for well-made local clothing that fits you well," Venson asserted.

Her journey began in 2010 on her front veranda, where she first considered transitioning from a full-time job to full-time entrepreneurship. She turned to Access Financial for her first loan - and never looked back.

"Access has been like family," Venson shared. "They support you, not just with money but with advice. If you hit a rough patch, they work with you. They genuinely want to see you succeed."

Nearly three decades into business, her passion for sewing still burns as brightly as ever. The secret to her success lies in keeping abreast of what is trending and paying attention to what people want.

"I also market my work. As long as I'm going on the road, I always ensure that I wear something nice, and believe me, I always get orders. It's a must! I just love sewing. If I buy a piece of fabric today, tonight I can't sleep. I'm so excited to get up tomorrow and put it together," she said.