CHAMBER’S YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Navin Menghraj, ‘Mr. Nash’ is breaking new frontiers in the clothing industry and for the last three years he has been bringing his brand name clothing, handbags and shoes to especially the people of St. Ann at very affordable cost. His clothing line ‘Mr Nash’, which he launched in 2011, shortly after he opened a store at Beecham Plaza in Ocho Rios in 2010, has become a hit for people seeking brand name clothing at reasonable cost. Mr. Nash along with his wife Rekha Menghraj operates Ash Handbags and Accessories on Little Pub plaza, having outgrown the original location at Beecham and has now ventured into other aspects of business including being an importer, retailer, distributor and a wholesaler. Mr. Nash distributes clothing, handbags, gift items, electronics and other personal items throughout Jamaica and is a major supplier for a number of clothes and gift shops throughout the island with items including his own products which he imports from China, India, Curaçao and Miami in the USA. “I am the most reasonable one, when it comes to shoes I have retail like for $1500 which is very reasonable. Good quality stuff,” he explained. “I can sell at a reasonable margin because i bring the stuff in myself, If I buy locally I couldn’t sell for that price.” “I am trying to be more of a Jamaican brand because I am not seeing anybody in Jamaica who is trying to bring a brand to Jamaica,” Mr. Nash explained that the other brands are usually very expensive and outside of the spending power of the average person. The 33-year-old who has been quite successful in his business venture so far explained that he is committed to continue bringing top quality items to ordinary people. He said the support so far has been overwhelming. “You have to treat the people good whether they are poor people or rich people it doesn’t matter, if they spending $1,500 today, tomorrow they might spent $15,000 so that’s the key point,” he said as he explained his basic principles of business. “Customer service is very important, that’s the key'” he said adding that timing and making customers feel welcome and appreciated are other measures he employ to ensure his success. Mr Nash has been in Jamaica since 2001 and he credits a lot of what he has learnt about business to his former boss Ravi Chatani. ” I believe in giving to the community, like churches and stuff, schoolers come to you, they want sponsorship, I give them shoes or whatever I can, it promotes my business as well. When you operate in the community, you cannot just be mean, you have to do something for the community.” Mr. Nash employs six permanent staff at his store and he said there are plans to expand the business, but at a different location.
