young & ambitious
Jessica Huie
managing director of JH Public Relations and Colourblind Cards
C
olumnist, press officer and Last year I picked up six awards I use the obstacles as challenges
MD of an international for Colorblind from ‘Entrepreneur I need to overcome. I’m fighting
greeting card company Of The Year’ to ‘Enterprising Young against a mindset, which says the
– that’s quite some job title. Brit’ which was presented to me by black market is not commercially
Flavour talks to entrepreneur the Prime Minister. It’s an amazing viable. I’m also fighting against
Jessica Huie to find out how she journey and I’m just starting out. a mindset that says only a black
manages to juggles so many roles. person would buy a black card. I’ve
What is a typical day in your challenged these ideas and have
How did you start on the road life like? does it vary much? proven both of them wrong.
to global domination? Yes, it varies! Right now I’m
It started with the birth of my little sitting in the business centre of the What are your plans
girl Monet. She inspired me to Hilton hotel, Kingston, Jamaica. for the rest of 2008?
create a fabulous life for us both, I’m out here for a long weekend This year is about establishing JH
and I was blessed to have the work at Caribbean Fashion week to Public relations in London, raising
ethic and drive to make the dream interview Nia Long and Eve as I’m the profile of Colorblind Cards in
a reality. I went to university to do a still a writer for several National America and securing distribution
degree in journalism while working newspapers. I spent the morning for Colorblind in the Caribbean
as an intern for Pride magazine, at a press conference then several and Canada. I also intend to write
Max Clifford and BBC London. All hours by the pool in this tropical my first novel and start work on
three work placements resulted paradise. Tonight I’ll party (part of Colorblind Children’s books.
in job offers, so after graduating the job of course) and then Sunday
I spent a year with BBC London I have meetings with the Jamaican www.colorblindcards.com
as entertainment reporter, three Minister for Culture, as I’m keen www.jhpr.co.uk
years as a senior writer for Pride to secure Colorblind cards
magazine and then four years distribution in Jamaica as soon
working for Max Clifford. I left Max as possible. I have a house in St
six weeks ago to set up my second Elizabeth, so putting money back
company – JH Public Relations, into the place of my father’s birth
but continue to work for Max on is of huge importance to me.
a freelance basis. Colorblind will
have been trading for two years by What has been your proudest
this August, and we just launched moment to date?
in the States last month. It’s difficult to answer, but knocking
on the door of No.10 Downing
tell us a little more about Street when the Prime Minister
Colorblind cards… invited me to consult with him
Colorblind Cards was born out of a on how to make Britain a more
desire to put black and mixed race enterprising country. That was truly
faces on high-street greeting card excellent. On a business level, the
shelves. Until we achieved this, next great moment will be walking
the high street was devoid of black into a store in Los Angeles or New
cards. I recognised a gap in the York and seeing the fruits of my la-
market and decided to fill it. I knew bour sitting on a greeting card shelf
there was an exciting commercial I think! I haven’t been out there yet,
possibility but also recognised the so I have that to look forward to.
social importance, as I wanted my
daughter and her generation to What advice do wish you’d been
be able to have access to positive given when starting out?
reflections of themselves. It’s You have to make yourself vulner-
important for their developing able to be successful. Nothing is
sense of identity and self-worth. won from playing it safe. People
We began and continue to
arwell
will knock and doubt you and try to
b
trade online at www.colorblind- detract from your focus, but believe
cards.com and are now stocked in yourself and make it happen.
in almost 100 branches of Clinton
anya Cards and fifty independent gift
Have you had any major
stores and boutiques. We launched challenges along the way?
at the New York stationary show Starting a predominantly black
ds by V
just last month, and the word is card company in Britain was
or
that Colorblind are going down always going to be a journey filled
W
a storm in Washington DC! with obstacles. But that’s great as
Young and ambitious
27
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