Early Days
Thalia Lyn was born to Gladstone and Maisie Chang in 1947. She is the 4th of 12 children. Her parents had 9 girls and 3 boys. She attended Immaculate Conception High School. Lyn once stated that all her siblings were entrepreneurial from an early age. And didn’t have any interest in working for anyone.
I don’t think they could help it, it’s what they all grew up knowing. The family founded Valentine Bakery that merged with Powell and Huntington Bakeries in 1957 to become Consolidated Bakeries Jamaica Ltd. Today it trades on the stock market as Purity Bakery. They live by the mantra “work hard and look out for each other.”
It sounds so simple. But stop and think about it. Sometimes we can become selfish or lose sight of why we started. Each generation should work together to make the coming generation better.
Growing Up and Facing the World
After graduating from Immaculate, Thalia received a scholarship to attend university overseas. She had to work part-time to cover living expenses, as 4 of her other siblings were also in university at that time. Her father made it clear that Thalia could only get married after turning 21. And only finishing university. She welcomed the duties. She completed university in 2 1/2 years, moved back to Jamaica in March 1966, and by June she married Michael Lyn. Her high school sweetheart.
The newlyweds moved to Canada for Michael to attend flying school. She worked at the University Savings Canadian Fund Equity. She enrolled in courses about mutual funds and investments. It was at this point that she met fellow Jamaican Michael Lee-Chin. Mr. Lee-Chin was also in the investment business. They both started helping each other to get clients and with marketing.
Her family made a brief move to Florida. during this time, she worked as a teacher. They decided to return to Canada in 1979.
The Lyn family made another move in 1981. This time they moved back home to Jamaica. She started a soft-serve ice cream business. And later pivoted to fried chicken, burgers, and ribs. This was Chicken Supreme. In 1991, Chicken Supreme transitioned into what we now know as Island Grill. They have worked hard over the years to standardize taste and service. She mentioned that the main competitive advantage of Island Grill is that they are local. They are able to adapt to changes fast. There is no chain of communication and back and forth with “headquarters”.
A Smooth Sea Never Made A Good Sailor.
Thalia faced difficulties in getting loans from banks. Back then, banks were very hesitant to lend to women. She later got the loans. But imagine what went through bankers’ minds. “Like why are you going into a man’s world, you are likely going to fail?”
Many of us, both men and women still face difficulties getting financed today. Banks often want to see financial statements. But it’s hard to produce those if you don’t have the capital to build a track record. Young entrepreneurs are often left in double-bind situations. It is when you no longer need the banks, that’s when they usually fall at your feet with cash, sometimes at 0% interest.
Mrs. Lyn recalls a time when interest rates got so high. To the point where she wondered if it would be the end of business for her. It’s one thing to plan. It’s a different game when reality kicks you off the tracks though.
Island Grill had invested in the Florida market as a part of its growth plan. Things were good at first but then they began to change for the worse. September 11, 2001, happened and the market became questionable. They decided to pack up their equipment and shipped them off to Jamaica. A thing can only be counted as a failure if you curl up and decide not to try again. However, there will be times in life when you will need reassurance. From yourself and from others around you. Mrs. Lyn said that she opened 5 stores in Jamaica that same year to remind herself that she had a quality offering.
On To Better Days
Mrs. Thalia Lyn hopes that one day Island Grill will enter many more markets. There is an Island Grill in Barbados and it has been successful to date. That location came as a partnership with Goddard Catering.
Thalia is the mother of 2 and the grandmother of 4. These days, she spends more time with family and relaxing. She is also a lover of plants and spends time taking care of her home garden.
Her son Michael Jr and daughter-in-law Denise Lyn are now onboard. They steer operations and innovation. It’s been a long journey.
Thalia Lyn, Michael Lyn Sr, a former captain pilot, and David McRae, also a former pilot all made a bet almost 30 years ago. Today, Island Grill does over $2 billion in annual sales, a figure any entrepreneur would be proud of.
Island Grill serves great meals with Jamaican-grown produce. They have a staff size of around 900 and they have a solid company culture. You know when you are in an Island Grill. Questions have floated about listing Island grill on the Stock Market. The Lyn family has stated a few times that they want to keep Island Grill a family business, at least for now.
With other family members now around, Mrs. Thalia Lyn is able to focus on charity and other interests. Here are some of her awards and involvement:
Chairwoman for NCB Foundation
Board member for Mustard Seed Community
Inducted in the PSOJ Hall of Fame
Serves as Honorary Consul General for Jamaica to the Kingdom of Thailand
Recipient of the American Friends of Jamaica International Humanitarian Award
The International Women's Forum
Honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LL. D) by the University of the West Indies
The United Nations Women Win-Win Movement
Thalia’s Word to Entrepreneurs
“To aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women I say, take the chance. If you don’t take the chance, your life might be dominated by that big ‘what if’–especially when you’re young.”
I agree. Warren Buffett said that the best investment you can make is in yourself. If you have a dream, it is your duty to see it through. It’s one thing to take advice from those around you. But never let them crush your dreams, especially when they lack the credentials to do so.
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