By Laura Harop
Whether launching a campaign, writing a feature story or managing an event, Kimesha Walters’ enthusiasm for public relations is evident: “I feel most fulfilled doing PR when I get amazing results for my clients,” says the recent Women’s Business Accelerator (WBA) graduate. “And they in turn are able to connect with their target audience in a meaningful way, wherever they are, and wherever their audiences live, work and play.”
Kimesha began her early career in Jamaica as a journalist at a top newspaper in the English-speaking Caribbean. In particular, Kimesha loved bringing a voice to the unheard through her news coverage. Over 10 years ago, she discovered her passion for PR, which grew over time and eventually led to the creation of Oasis Integrated Communications, a PR firm with operations in Canada and Jamaica. Despite the global pandemic, Kimesha courageously decided to push ahead and launch her business with the help of the WBA.
For Kimesha, who scored a second-place result in the pitch competition, the pull factors of the WBA program were the business plan workshops, and getting a business coach to help streamline the ideas she had for Oasis Integrated Communications. She loved the fact that the programme facilitated all these amazing women entrepreneurs from various backgrounds and countries across the world, who were working together to refine their plans to launch their business. “By combining our strengths and tapping into the WBA lessons, its alumnae, and strategic networking, we can become a force to be reckoned with.”
Kimesha’s most memorable projects are those that impact people and communities on a deeper level. In May, she led PR efforts for her client, the Ignite IGL Foundation as they partnered with the Jamaica Red Cross to roll out a COVID-19 corporate social responsibility outreach campaign in 11 communities across Jamaica. Under the CSR programme, the organizations delivered grocery packages with essential staples to the elderly, those living with disabilities, and low-income earners. In Kimesha’s view, “partnerships like this one are critical to combat the negative effects of the pandemic, and these types of projects have a special place in my heart.” Through them, she is able to help businesses make a positive impact on the world, and she gets to share the great news of those who are doing life-changing work in the communities in which they operate.
The WBA has had a lasting impact on Kimesha: “I’m absolutely sure that the WBA program has had a positive difference in my life and in the lives of other entrepreneurs in my cohort. We learnt so much from the very first session, right through to the pitching competition on the final day! We shared stories, we solved problems, we learnt the importance of being innovative, the importance of collaboration, and yes, we also learnt to enjoy the journey even while we’re focused on the destination. For sure we learnt that it is possible to achieve anything we dare to dream about, and we learnt that we don’t have to do it alone.”
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