By Angelo Laurence, Freelance Writer
MANDEVILLE, Manchester:
HIS SPECIALTY is chemical engineering but these days Wayne Shaw is to be found running his own gas station in the heart of Mandeville.
The father of three girls, ages five to 17 years, Mr. Shaw was a former employee in the bauxite sector before he gave up what was a cosy job to explore his entrepreneurial dreams.
Those dreams, he told The Gleaner, had been nagging him for many years.
He was educated at the University of the West Indies where he obtained his degree in Chemical Engineering and at the University of the Virgin Islands where he did his Masters in Business Administration, qualifications which put him in good stead for the careers he chose.
Work in the bauxite sector kept him active for many years, but Mr. Shaw had a need to be his own boss.
So, when the franchise to operate the ESSO service station on Caledonia Road became available, due to the death of its former owner, Mr. Shaw saw his opportunity to enter the business world, and took it.
With the full support of his wife, he took over the operation of the station two years ago. He now provides work for 23 people, and dons his own ESSO uniform daily, just like his employees.
A devoted Gleaner reader, Mr. Shaw continued a 25-year tradition of the station as an agent of the Gleaner Company, selling both the morning daily, The Gleaner and the company's evening tabloid, The Star.
Not afraid to let his views be known, he said he found the business world challenging, and is continuously surprised at the demands of his Mandeville customers.
Speaking of Jamaica's future, Mr. Shaw said the country needs to become self reliant in areas of basic need. The manufacturing sector, he said, must become more competitive and the trade unions must enter into agreements of understanding which will allow players to compete globally.
Speaking personally, he said his greatest wish was to see his children educated to university level.
He feels that all Jamaican children, regardless of their background, should be given the opportunity to obtain a good education. He contends that too many Jamaicans are illiterate, in a scenario where survival under globalisation demands an educated society.
Nevertheless, Mr. Shaw remains optimistic about Jamaica's future, noting that "with love, respect and unity", the country "can come through it."
