Like father, like son
Published:Sunday | June 15, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Very early in life, Maxwell Jardim realised that he did not have the requisite skills to become a Manchester United star player, so he had his eyes set on helping in the family business.
His younger brother, Benjamin, had no difficulty lifting a 50-kilogram box at age 12. In fact, he helped wherever an extra pair of hands was needed.
The youngest in the clan, Zak Jardim, will tell you he fast became an expert at deveining shrimp using baby fingers.
The three, sons of Brian Jardim, chief executive officer of Rainforest Seafoods, the largest supplier of seafood in the Caribbean, have a lot in common, the most stark of which is their work ethics.
The moral principles enjoyed by many in the business sector seem to have been sewn into the fabric of their DNAs. The three are proudly walking in their father's footsteps, "even though him shoe dem big", admits Ben, who now runs his father's Roatan Seafood in Honduras and a shrimp farm in Belize.
An economics major, Ben attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. He later studied Spanish for two years, which he says has made communication in Honduras much easier. He manages the Roatan fleet of boats, purchases products from artisanal fishermen, exports fresh-on-ice to Miami and Cayman, and processes products that are sent to Jamaica.
'Right now'
It is his father's 'right now' attitude that he admires most, he says. "He (dad) would never push back what could be done right away. I am pretty sure that attitude woke some people up on Sunday mornings," he quipped.
For Max, watching his father lead by keeping it simple and setting expectations high are the qualities he most admires. "He'll reason with you and truly listen to your ideas, regardless of whether you are the president or you sweep the floors for a living," reveals Max.
If another career path enters Max's mind and he was to leave his father's company, he says he will be in the same industry while contributing and strengthening the core business of Rainforest Seafoods.
The oldest Jardim boy, who started packing shrimp and fish at age 12, and who quipped that he constantly smelled like seafood (which did not help when he was going through puberty), could not pinpoint exactly what he does in the business.
"I pitch in whenever I can. Most importantly, I learn from and assist the wonderful team members I work with every day." Max studied international business at Washington State University, majoring in marketing and sales.
The youngest Jardim, Zak, at 20, tells Outlook, his father's passion for business - his perseverance, will-power and diligence to overcome any and all obstacles, are the reasons he has followed in his footsteps. Currently a student at a Connecticut college, he says every holiday he returns to Jamaica and throws himself into different areas of the company. "Whether it may be distribution, sales, or retail, wherever the boss wants me, that's where I go."
By experiencing every aspect of the business, he says he gets a better understanding of how the company operates as a whole. "And I get a chance to learn first-hand from our hard-working and dedicated team members."
So, are the Jardim boys given preferential treatment because they are heirs apparent?
The three gave a resounding "No", revealing that their father, who employs over 350 persons here in Jamaica, expects a job well done from every member of the Rainforest team. "And rightfully so. It fosters an exceptional team," they say.
Focused on growth
According to Max, life on the job with his father has been amazing. "The company is in overdrive and the whole team is focused on its growth. In this kind of environment, we are constantly developing new ideas or searching for fresh opportunities," he states.
But was it a given that these boys would get involved in the company business?
Brian Jardim says he has dreamt of building a strong and sustainable business so that his children would have the opportunity to join if they wanted to. "However, although I am extremely happy that two out of three so far have joined our team, it has never been a given - my boys know that they always have a choice. I will support and stand by them should they want to follow their own path. They also understand that they have to prove themselves through hard work, dedication, and commitment, to be a part of the Rainforest team," Jardim states.
According to the father of three, all the boys worked every holiday at Rainforest. "They started from the age of 12, in administration, processing, warehouse, delivery, retail and sales. One summer, they had to ride their bicycles to and from work, I wasn't too popular that vacation," he reminisced.
Today, he says it's those things that has helped with their deeper appreciation, knowledge and respect for all team members and every department in the company. They all must become well-rounded before becoming managers. He credits his wife of 26 years, Shelagh, for the success of his company and how she has raised their three boys to have such a positive influence on it.
Business background
Born in England in 1963, Brian Jardim spent his childhood between Jamaica and Guyana. He earned a diploma in business administration from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada; a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in financial accounting from the University of Florida.
He practised with Ernst and Young in Miami for two years and became a certified public accountant in the State of Florida. He then joined the Sandals/ATL group of companies, owned by his father Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, where he spent 10 years and eventually became president of Sandals Resorts International.
In 1995, he partnered with Ian Dear and together they built and operated 12 restaurants and bars in Jamaica, Cayman, and Turks & Caicos, including the Caribbean franchise of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. Jardim sold his interest in the restaurant group in 2010. He founded Rainforest Seafoods in 1995.
Rainforest sources seafood from around the world and further processes, brands and distributes it Caribbeanwide. They also operate 20 depots and retail outlets in Jamaica, with a distribution network that extends to all major supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and wholesalers.