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<p>Starting his small
business, Wood Land Roots Natural Drinks, in 2012 was not easy for Chief
Executive Officer (CEO), Oliver Welsh.</p>
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<p>He had to face many challenges, such as having to walk from Portmore in St. Catherine to Kingston, enticing persons along the journey to patronise his natural juices.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Wood-Lands-Natural-Drinks-Buzz-Caribbean-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9220" /><figcaption> Chief Executive Officer, Wood Land Roots Natural Drinks, Oliver Welsh (left), and one of his assistants, Kathleen Brown, display some of his products at the recent Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) Expo 2018, held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.     (Photos: Dave Reid)</figcaption></figure>
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<p> “It wasn’t an easy road… rain wet me, and all kinds of challenges taking public transport,” said the CEO.</p>
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<p>Mr. Welsh says his break came in 2018 when he participated in the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA) Expo Jamaica 2018 at the National Arena, where he established a booth to showcase his natural drinks.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p> "They tasted the drinks and felt good about the natural ingredients."</p><cite>—  Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oliver Welsh </cite></blockquote>
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<p>“A lot of people crowded me at Expo. They tasted the drinks and felt good about the natural ingredients. Expo worked for me, and I can’t wait for the next one. It was a real blessing for me,” he says.</p>
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<p>Such was the impact that he now supplies several local outlets as well as some customers overseas.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Wood-Lands-Natural-Drinks-Buzz-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9221" /><figcaption>Chief Executive Officer, Wood Land Roots Natural Drinks, Oliver Welsh, tests the sugar content of one of his many natural products, at his company in Portmore, St. Catherine.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Mr. Welsh says<strong> </strong>that sales from the expo have assisted with the purchase of a motor vehicle and he is now in discussion with the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) to expand the venture, and to provide additional employment.</p>
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<p>He is also planning to contribute packages of one of his products, Guava Sorrel, to schools in his community.</p>
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<p>Before going on the market, Mr. Welsh says he sought and received help from the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) in the certification of his natural drinks.</p>
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<p>He describes the certification process as not very difficult, and “very “important”, as the confidence consumers have in the products is worth much more than the annual fee that is paid to have the products approved by a reputable body. </p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p> “I love this business with all of my heart. I had an aim and a plan that I must make it"</p><cite> —  Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oliver Welsh  </cite></blockquote>
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<p>Mr.
Welsh says he is also very thankful for the help provided by the Jamaica
Business Development Corporation (JBDC) in the areas of training, labelling and
marketing.</p>
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<p>He emphasises that the entity is his “right hand”, providing support when he is in need. “It is my home; whatever help I need, it comes through the JBDC,” Mr. Welsh adds.</p>
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<p>Before venturing into his small business, Mr. Welsh worked for several years at hotels in New Kingston, North America and the Caribbean.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p> “It is not all about money. This business is to see persons’ health improve…"</p><cite> —  Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oliver Welsh   </cite></blockquote>
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<p>He
asserts that the natural drinks venture has been a good source of income for
him, as “a lot of people gravitate after these products”.</p>
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<p>“I
love this business with all of my heart. I had an aim and a plan that I must
make it. And where I am now, it is God who took me there, and He is going to
take me to the highest heights,” the CEO says.&nbsp;
</p>
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<p>“It
is not all about money. This business is to see persons’ health improve… where
they eat right, exercise, drink a lot of water and natural drinks, and get lots
of sunlight,” Mr. Welsh adds.</p>
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