A banker’s childhood hobby turns into a side income

Julissa Jackson-Cameron has turned her childhood pastime into a creative side business, crafting beautiful and functional works of art.

She is not just an artist. Jackson-Cameron is the assistant manager – processing, and credit operations unit at JN Bank, and a devoted wife and mother.

Plus, Julissa has managed to pursue her passion for crocheting, a skill she honed as a young girl, guided by her grandmother.

She later expanded her creative gifts into jewellery making, a craft she mastered through practising.

Balancing work and life – raising three boys, aged five, seven, and 12 – Julissa has devoted late evenings, weekends, holidays, and vacation leave to pursuing her passion projects.

‘I started crocheting around 11 or 12 while I was at Mona Primary,’ she recalled. ‘My grandmother used to crochet doilies. I saw her doing that and I was impressed so I asked her to teach me how to do it, then I caught on.’

With her crochet skills, she’s made handbags, necklaces, ruffle hats, belts, desktop baskets, and rear-view mirror decorations, while the jewellery pieces include earrings, bracelets, necklaces and anklets made from a wide variety of materials, such as beads, fabric and semi-precious stones.

Julissa was one of about 50 small and micro business operators featured at the JN Mall Pop-up Shopping Experience, held in the parking lot of JN Bank Chief Office, Halfway Tree, St Andrew, during the Black Friday, November 29 to December 1.

The event showcased a diverse range of entrepreneurial ventures including leather craft, art, skincare products, clothing, jewellery, and home décor.

It is the second consecutive year that the Jamaica National Group has hosted the event to provide opportunities for artisans to showcase their products and services to a wider audience.

For over two decades, the organisation has been an avid supporter of small enterprises through the provision of small business loans.

For Julissa, crocheting serves as a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to unwind and recharge amidst her busy life.

‘It’s my quiet time to calm my mind. Usually, I’m doing multiple things at a time but when I start crocheting it is my slow down time, my thinking time and my relaxing time,’ she explained.

She noted that she always looks forward to pop-up shopping experiences to display her craft.

It was her second time participating in the JN Pop-Up Mall and she is gearing up for another pop-up market to be held at Devon House later in December.

‘It’s basically to showcase my work because when I go to a pop-up, even when persons don’t buy they will take my card and reach out to me later or they will tell or even suggest to a friend,’ she said adding that her Instagram page ‘Juuleemade’ provides added exposure for her work.

Customers are often impressed with Julissa’s craftsmanship and the quality of her creations. She said that their enthusiastic feedback motivates her to continue.

‘At the JN Pop Up, they were so surprised at the different variety and texture of the bags. Persons who buy usually are repeat customers,’ she pointed out.

Julissa is considering expanding her product line by exploring crochet clothing such as swimsuits, dresses and blouses.

Rose Miller, Financial Education Consultant at the JN Foundation, commends Julissa for her initiative, emphasizing the importance of having additional streams of income.

‘Having a side income is a cushion for financial stability and an opportunity to build wealth. In today’s economic climate, relying solely on one source of income can be risky. Many personal skills or hobbies can be transformed into a viable business that brings in extra income while also providing personal fulfilment,' she said.

Miller also noted that side incomes can play a crucial role in helping individuals achieve their financial goals more quickly, adding fuel to goals such as building an emergency fund for unexpected expenses, investing in their children’s education, or preparing for a comfortable retirement.

‘In today’s world, we need to be resourceful. Diversifying your income can make a significant difference in your financial well-being,’ she maintained.