As the Jamaican entertainment sector returns to normalcy after almost three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the young and old alike are excited about the reopening of the industry. Whether it’s a formal or informal event, most people are just glad to see their colleagues, friends, and loved ones after being socially isolated for so long. The relaxation of COVID-19 regulations, on the other hand, has caught many people off guard, as they are now scrambling to plan their upcoming events. One of the many issues people may face is finding the right venue for their event.
The entrepreneurial couple, Tamara Gibson and Kevlar Clunie, sought to solve this problem long before the pandemic by introducing their Jamaica Venues App. Jamaica Venues (JV) is a digital marketing organization established in 2018 that aims to provide customers with the ultimate platform for all their event planning needs. Whether it’s a wedding, conference, birthday celebration, corporate event, or cocktail party, the app supports them.
Dubbed the “Airbnb of Venue Apps,” the platform promotes large and small, traditional and non-traditional venues throughout the 14 parishes of Jamaica. The platform allows people to build their events online and receive an instant quote from the venue of their choice.
Gibson says the idea of JV was born out of necessity.
” Jamaica Venues was born out of the need for a comprehensive list of venues. We were always the go-to persons for recommendations on where to host events,” she added, “now, we can provide digital marketing services for venue operators, creating greater exposure and revenue.”
Meanwhile, Clunie says the public’s reaction to the platform has been positive thus far. He notes that Jamaicans can expect even more from the forum.
“We have recently revamped our website with the app functionality, and we are currently in pre-launch mode and repopulating the site with venues. And so, we invite all venue operators nationwide to jump on board with us, “he said.
The app can be accessed at https://www.jamaicavenues.com/.
Love and Business
The partners in life and business say they have learned to work together despite their differences. Gibson says respect is vital.
“Being in business with your partner is not always easy as you will not see eye to eye on various things. However, what is important is that we are always respectful of each other’s opinions,” she added, “what helps is that we delegate tasks according to our strengths and, in doing so, we can come together to achieve the company’s end goal.”
However, Clunie says they have sacrificed their duty to separate work from their personal lives.
“We have a set schedule, so we do our best to meet all our work obligations while ensuring that it does not infringe on our family time. We do this so that nothing gets neglected, “he shared.
He also dispelled doubts about getting in business with your significant other.
“Go for it! Once you have a common interest, mutual respect, and effective communication, everything else will fall into place, “Clunie said.
In 2022, the couple hopes to expand their business and create brand awareness in the Caribbean by showcasing venues in neighboring islands. But eventually, they intend to gain worldwide brand recognition and become a household name related to all things venues.
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