Conserving Energy in Jamaica with Avenir Energy Solutions

Jason Patterson is one of a new generation of young Jamaican’s shining a beacon of hope over Jamaica. Through his entrepreneurial spirit he has formed a forward thinking company ‘Avenir Energy Solutions’ which is helping to build a greener Jamaica. The company works at grass-roots level,  re-educating Jamaican’s on sustainable development practises and green issues and offers solutions to combat them.  Jason’s portfolio also covers auditing a building’s energy consumption and providing sustainable ways to cut it. Not content with this, philanthropic tendencies have also seen him providing pro-bono assistance to a Kingston Boys’ School among other projects.

Here we are pleased to share Jason’s story with our readers and hope to inspire others to become green and to take up the challenge of being a young entrepreneur in Jamaica…

Interview questions

 

1. Introduce yourself and your role in the company?

My name is Jason Patterson, and I am the Founder and Managing Director of Avenir Energy Solutions.

2. When was your company established and why did you choose this career path?

Avenir Energy Solutions was founded in 2013 as a result of my interest in Sustainable Development. Sustainable Development to me is about creating long-term solutions for a number of problems such as poverty reduction, environmental issues etc.

3.What is your company philosophy?

  • We put our Customers first and strive to secure their loyalty through top quality products and service.
  • We value our Employees and seek to help them achieve their full potential.
  • We embrace Professionalism and seek Excellence in everything we do.
  • We do our best to help our Communities be better places in which to live, work and grow.

4. Tell me about your typical working day?

My typical day usually starts at 6:00am. I start by reading online articles related to my fields of interest – some of which I schedule for sharing throughout the day across our social media channels. Since we are constantly focused on providing our clients with the latest and most effective solutions, I spend a couple of hours reading product reviews and contacting potential suppliers. After this, I review my to-do-list (keeps me sane!) and I try to start by “eating the frog” – which translates to executing the hardest task on my to-do-list first.

I try to schedule all conference calls and/or meetings with clients and suppliers for early to mid-afternoon. Since we are currently in pre-launch phase, contact with my mentor and marketing personnel is also crucial as we are working to devise strategies and marketing material. Following this, my focus switches to completing any outstanding project proposals and reports for our clients.

My late evenings are usually reserved for friends and family.

5. Where is your Head Office based and do you manufacture / produce your products in Jamaica?

We currently operate from my home office in Mandeville, Manchester. As a result of the technical requirements associated with our current business model, all of our products are imported from the United States and Asia.

6. Are you Jamaican?

Yes.

7. What new company plans and visions are you working on?

Education plays a crucial role in increasing awareness of the benefits of Sustainable Development. Therefore, we are currently focused on developing material and campaigns to educate people of these benefits, as well as inform them of no-cost/low-cost strategies which can be easily implemented.

Avenir Infographic
Avenir Infographic

8. What is your personal favourite project you are working on and why?

We recently partnered with Dennergy Solutions and the Kimroy Bailey Foundation to design and implement a pro bono project for the Alpha Boys’ School in Kingston, Jamaica. The Alpha Boys’ School is a catholic owned institution which is committed to the development and care of exposed and underprivileged young men. The school has and continues to benefit thousands of young boys in Jamaica.

Funding to conduct a Level II Energy Audit has already been secured through the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). We are currently developing a sustainable energy plan for Alpha that is to culminate with implemented technical, behavioural and social interventions that will no doubt see Alpha well on their way to energy sustainability.

This project has the potential to positively impact thousands of lives, and while it is still in the early stages of planning and development, the support from the public has been overwhelming. More updates to come…

9. Who or what, is your inspiration or role model?

Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, is in my opinion the embodiment of real entrepreneurship – vision, creativity, innovation, passion and hard work. While he has amassed great wealth and has founded over 400 companies, he remains committed to his belief that business can be used as a force for good.

I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting Sir Richard… Awesome!

Richard Branson and I
Richard Branson and I

10. Where can we buy your products in Jamaica and overseas?

Currently, our products/services are available in Jamaica to persons/organisations on a project basis. Our website is currently under construction and will soon be updated with a full overview of our offering.

11. If you could impart one piece of advice to inspire young Jamaicans to start their own businesses or succeed in their chosen career, what would it be?

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

12. If you could change jobs, what would you do?

I enjoy being an entrepreneur and running a company that helps others to achieve their sustainability goals.

13. Apart from your own company, what is your favourite Jamaican company and why?

 Having met Donna Duncan-Scott, the former Managing Director of Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB), and listening to her convey her passion for JMMB’s staff and clients, I would have to say that they are one of my favourite companies. JMMB possesses a strong corporate culture (unconditional love and mutual respect) and they embrace social responsibility through initiatives such as the Joan Duncan Foundation. Traits which I also want to convey through my businesses.

14. What do you believe contributes most to your company’s on-going success?

Constant communication with our clients and suppliers. This keeps us attune to our clients needs and the markets offerings. We have an open door policy where our current and potential clients are concerned – no query or concern is too small.

15. What do you feel your company has to offer the international and home markets, over and above your competitors?

While a vast number of competitors exist within our industry, our small size allows us to be flexible and to focus on our clients and provide them with best in class products and service. We pride ourselves on educating our clients and providing the best solutions for their path to sustainable development, and we look forward to growing with them.

16. How do you believe as a nation we can help to build Jamaica?

 I believe that Jamaica possesses a strong potential for growth if our support for local industries and local production is increased. Campaigns such as your ‘SUPPORT JAMAICA BUY JAMAICAN!’ and Neil Curtis’ ‘Farm Up Jamaica’ have the potential to make a significant contribution to our economy and reduce unemployment.

17. What are your aspirations for Jamaica?

I wish to see Jamaica realise its true economic potential, and to see the lives of our citizens improve, especially the underprivileged. I hope to aid in this development through Avenir Energy Solutions, and all of my other business ventures that follow.

18. How can people start getting involved with Green Solutions?

‘Going green’ doesn’t have to be expensive, nor does it have to be an inconvenience. There are several low-cost strategies, such as switching to LED lighting, which can make a significant contribution to our journey towards sustainable development. We post no-cost/low-cost tips and tricks to reduce energy consumption on our social media channels on a daily basis.

19. How do you love to spend your free time in Jamaica?

I enjoy reading as well as spending time with friends and family. I have a small circle of close friends that enjoy a good lyme/flex and my family enjoys getting together to preparing large meals and hanging out.

Avenir Flyer
Avenir Flyer

Avenir Energy Solutions Contact Details

Direct: (876)-371-2065

Website: www.avenirenergysolutions.com

Email: info@avenirenergysolutions.com

Facebook: facebook.com/avenirenergysolutions

Twitter: twitter.com/avenirenergy

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