Story by Nicola A. Cunningham
As we begin to emerge from the inertia of the past two years thanks to covid, we need something to reassure us that life as we know it may not be the same but that does not mean that there is very little hope around us. A book about one woman’s incredible entrepreneurial journey can provide such hope as ‘The Lifespan Movement’ embodies everything we need as a nation right about now. Hope, inspiration, determination and the ability to still dream big even when those dreams are so big that they sometimes scare us.
Part autobiography, part tutorial on the frustrating intricacies of operating a business in Jamaica, ‘The Lifespan Movement’ speaks to how a woman held her own in the face of adversity and learnt to conquer criticism, sexism, bureaucracy and the biggest dream killer of all, self-doubt to establish her own enterprise which stood out in a field of sameness. By now Lifespan Water is nationally known but few still recognised that it differs from the other as it is naturally alkaline bottled water. Being different is a good thing but being different does not typically get you a pat on the back.
Author Nayana Williams’ tale is important for two main reasons. Firstly it chronicles the stresses, difficulties and setbacks of operating a business in Jamaica when you are an average person with no links, no connections and no famous last name. In other words it shines a powerful spotlight on why no matter how much our government claim to champion
the cause of the small and medium enterprises (SME), it is often these same governmental restrictions and roadblocks that frustrated these SMEs and usually because there is no financial safety net, many enterprises fold less than two years after opening their shutters.
Secondly “The Lifespan Movement’ is an important tale for every young Jamaican girl who has a dream but has been told that her dreams are too big; that she does not know her place or as old time people used to say she wants to “fly pass her nest”. Williams’ story is one that speaks to the audacity of aspiring to become the best version of oneself, even when you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel and the mouth of it may be blocked with huge boulders. ‘The Lifespan Story’ is a must-read for every Jamaican who wants more out of life than to settle for what is predictable or easy.