MEET JOY DENNIS, of Hyatt Hill, a quiet little community perched on the hillside near Gayle, in north-western St. Mary. Ms. Dennis, a very jovial, warm hearted Christian, is the founder, owner and manager of JD's Pastries.

JD's Pastries started just over a year ago, from an idea that she had after seeing salesmen coming around selling various baked products.

One day she took a good look at a bulla and said to herself 'I can make that'. So from her backyard, she started her trial and error. With no one to guide her and no recipe book to work from she depended on her self-taught culinary skills, which did not let her down.

After several attempts she finally developed a recipe, which is definitely her own, one that gives her products a different taste, not to mention size, from other more established competing brands. Laughing, Ms. Dennis said "people wonder how mi do it. Mi neva go a school to learn this. Mi jus try my own thing and it work".

With limited space, limited purchasing power and a growing demand, Ms. Dennis needed to expand and modernize. She turned to JN Small Business Loans Limited.

"It was on di radio that I heard about it, and what they can do for small business people like me, so I went to the JN Branch in Gayle and they sent me to Port Maria to see the field officer there. I spoke to the officer and explained what my needs were, she did not hesitate. Within a few days, she was here at my little business place and very soon after I got the loan," she said.

"Now I am a regular customer. They really keep my business turning over. I am able to buy in bigger bulks and get better bargains on raw materials that I use in my business. Since I join up with JN Small Business Loans Limited, I am able to increase my product line to five items from the one that I started with just over a year ago. Now I make and sell bullas, coconut biscuit, gizzada, cup cake and jackass corn," she continued.

With a sense of pride Ms. Dennis said: "My products are very popular now. I sell them as far away as Runaway Bay. Many shops in St. Mary and Ocho Rios also retail my products. To be honest with you, it would not work if it was not for JN Small Business Loans Limited who believed in me.

The programme really helped me, but what I like about it most is the interest rate, because it is not any and any where you can go and borrow at that rate," she said.