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Entrepreneur: Simone Bell

Ideatrade
 
Meet the Maker:
Simone Bell describes herself as a “magnet for challenges”. She’s certainly taken on a few. Already studying for an MBA, working as a sales rep and being a single mum, Simone decided to start her own business.

Simone set up Ideatrade, a company that helps
businesses promote themselves, find new markets and boost their sales. Simone is never happier than when she’s coming up with business ideas and “comes alive”’ in creative meetings. She believes it’s her company’s energy, reliability and integrity that attracts the customers, and keeps them coming back.
 
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Simone Bell
The golden opportunity:
With many businesses lacking the time, resources and contacts to find good deals on promotional products, there was a clear market for someone to do it for them.

Enter Ideatrade. Simone set up the company six months ago to help businesses source what they need at the best price possible.
The business in a nutshell:
Ideatrade sources and delivers branded promotional products – gift bags, pens, mugs and much more – to use in trade marketing.

They work with companies of all sizes, in a range of sectors, including food distribution, hospitality, tourism, pharmaceutical and telecoms.

Simone says: “We continuously challenge ourselves to be innovative, accessible and reliable in providing avenues for buyers and sellers.”

I am driven by a genuine desire to provide exceptional service to an industry where niche businesses thrive.
  - Simone Bell  

How it’s helping the community:
As Ideatrade grows, everyone involved in the company will be able to share in its success. “All employees will have the opportunity to profit share in the business,” say Simone. “I feel that this will help in fostering a culture of motivation, as they will all have a sense of ownership.”

Keen to help other Jamaican businesses, she uses local partners and suppliers where possible: “As a Jamaica-based business we strive to incorporate the use of Jamaican-made material in our proposals as we believe in the talent and quality our country has to offer.”
The future looks bright:
Ideatrade has recently started to offer project and event management, and they plan to develop marketing proposals and a campaigns service in the future. Simone will also work to find new markets for local companies’ products.

They’re currently working with five corporate clients, and have had repeat business from them all. The aim is to add two more clients to the roster within the next month.

“The future looks very bright from this seat,” says Simone. “With satisfied customers and referrals, the business can only grow from here on out.”

Fast facts:
  • Current number of employees: Two
  • Expected number of employees in three years’ time: Six
  • Current annual turnover: $8 million (Jamaican)
  • Expected annual turnover in three years’ time: $30 million (Jamaican)
  • Investment to date: Savings, partial client funding and short term loans from friends and family
  • Location of headquarters: 5 Hibiscus Close, Kingston 8. Jamaica W.I
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