orlando dawkins

We had the pleasure of interviewing our BOSS located in Saint Ann, Jamaica! Let’s see what he has to say!

Tell us about yourself!

I am a 46-year-old husband, and father of five ambitious children. In my spare time, I am the Marketing Director of Blue Mountain Experiences (formerly known as Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours, Ltd), a tour company that accommodates about twenty to fifty persons on a daily basis. I am an Approved Training Partner with the Jamaica Tourist Board, which allows me to certify some five hundred prospective tourism workers each year in the mandatory "Team Jamaica Program." I have been involved in the services industry for seventeen years. After school, I became a Privy Council Clerk at the Jamaica Council for Human Rights. I was responsible for taking witness statements for cases of death row inmates in their appeal to the Privy Council. My job was to also visit and get statements from death row inmates.

My entry into the tourism sector was as a health and safety inspector at the Royal Decameron, Montego Beach. A year later I managed their front desk for a year. I moved to Destination Management Company, Jamaica Tours, where I became a sales manager. I have been at Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours (Now Blue Mountain Experiences) as the Marketing Director for the past eleven years. I am the managing partner of the Complete Tourism Training Institute, which carries out the Tam Jamaica Program. As far as philanthropy is concerned, I am the past president of the Rotary Club of Ocho Rios East, an NGO non-profit organization that supports individuals who are less fortunate in our society. My family and I are also involved in the transportation sector as well, where we facilitate the safe movement of tourists when they visit our island. I am a proud Jamaican.

Why did you choose the profession you are in?

I grew up with a professional mother who worked assiduously to make ends meet for her four children. A teacher by day and seamstress by night. I observed her having endless sleepless nights as a trained teacher, which made me realize that being an employee was not the path for me. I've always, since being a child, had a side hustle. In high school, I bought and sold ice cream. I also entered into a partnership with my mother and sold book bags.

Who or what is your number one motivator and why?

Teslyn Dawkins, my mother. Her work ethic and desire are incomparable. Growing up I never saw her have an early night. She studied, sent her kids to school, worked day and night, and still graduated with honors.

If you can name one person that helped you get to where you are now, who would that person be and how did they help you?

Althea Dawkins, my wife. She believed in my abilities when I didn't even know I had abilities. Stood in the midst like a true woman despite any challenge. She believes I could be God's assistant if I put my mind to it.

If you could give a piece of advice to someone who aspires to become an entrepreneur, what would your advice be?

Stay the course. This is not an equation, it's a process and each journey is different.

How can the community get in touch with you?

To stay connected with Orlando Dawkins, follow his social media handles below:

Facebook: Blue Mountain Tours Ja

Instagram: @bluemountaintoursja