Keisha , Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Joan Edwards - Contributed photos

For Joan Edwards, working at Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) is like working with family. As financial planning manager, Edwards said she loves her job.

"I feel like I get to share my ideas, make my contribution and my uniqueness is appreciated. I don't have to pretend to be someone else," said Edwards.

Her JMMB journey began on July 14, 1997. One day, she was at the hairdresser when she met Janet Smith (who was a friend of Donna Duncan-Scott). They had a very interesting discussion after which Mrs. Smith told her she knew the perfect company where she could get a job. At the time, she had just graduated from the University of the West Indies with a degree in zoology. She had envisioned working in the finance sector. However, soon after, she did her two interviews and began working at the company she has come to love dearly.

She said the most challenging aspect of her job is when the unconditional love is not present. She notes that when you do not operate from that point, it can make life challenging because unconditional love is based on treating others the way you would want to be treated. However, at JMMB, they work together as a team which makes JMMB a great place to work. This, she believes, is why we are on Earth to serve and interact with one another.

When she is not at work, she loves to travel, go to the movies, go to plays and take walks. Also, she has a core group at her church that she meets with once per week. This, she says, balances her life.