Jake's Holdings Limited, a collection of villas, cottages and restaurants in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth was selected for the NCB Nation Builder Award.

The Nation Builder award was created by National Commercial Bank of Jamaica in recognition of small and medium-size businesses in operation for three or more years. Jake's Holdings started out as a small restaurant in 1993 when Sally Henzell started the company with just two employees.

Her son, Jason, later joined her in 1995, establishing it into Jake's Holdings Limited on six and a half acres of property. The company then grew to two restaurants, the other being Jack Sprat, as well as villas, and now employs 110 employees.

Jason told the Financial Gleaner that he was elated about the award. "I am very humbled to receive this prestigious award," he said.

"My greatest wish in receiving this award is that it will inspire other small and medium enterprises, particularly in the area of tourism, where it is perceived that you can go into if you have a lot of money," he said.

Henzell said the family company is a testament that one's dreams can come true with determination.

"You can start small," he said, pointing to his own company.

NCB also honoured several companies at the ceremony on Wednesday night in four regional and four national categories. The national winners were:

Jake's Holdings LimitedNation Builder Award

Bookophilia Start-Up Award

Seal Sprayed SolutionsInnovation Award

Jennifer Samuda of Jencare Skin Farm CompanyWomen in Business Award

"It is our hope that as we celebrate the achievements of these businesses, we also inspire, establish entrepreneurs and future business leaders, " said NCB Group Managing Director Patrick Hylton.

The NCB Nation Builder Awards was established three years ago.

dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com