Latoya Grindley, Features Writer

Leroy Long peels a pineapple from the back of his truck on Duke Street, Kingston. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

As long as there are fruits available, you're sure to see Leroy Long selling them from his truck parked in front of the St Aloysius Primary School on Duke Street, Kingston. Most days, his truck is stocked primarily with pineapples and melons.

For 15 years he has been in the vending business. However, before he ventured out on his own, he was working at a supermarket in downtown Kingston. Later, he decided to move on to bigger things.

"I had a friend who used to work outside the supermarket where I worked and he said to me, 'you can eat $1,000 out of $100 and still have the $100'." This, he said, motivated him to become independent. He later went home to break what he thought was good news to his mother.

"I say I go tell my mother my plan to go start my own thing and she curse me. Yes man, she tell me I don't have any ambition," he said.

Still, despite her ranting, he remained persistent. While working at the supermarket, he was earning $120 per week. He bought a handcart for $70, which would kick start his dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.

After purchasing the cart, he quit his job at the supermarket and started selling items like biscuits, bananas and oranges using his handcart for transportation. The earnings made from selling those items eventually allowed him to purchase a van. He used the van to transport fruits from St Elizabeth where he purchased them from a farmer. The van, a Chevrolet, tested his patience many times.

Persistent

"That same van give me hell! Me say every time I used to go St Elizabeth it break down. One night I did even have to sleep on Spur Tree hill because it break down, but that never stop me. I continued to sell," he said.

Hard work and dedication paid off for Long. He no longer has to be left stranded on the streets because of mechanical problems. Some five years ago, he got rid of the Chevrolet and purchased a truck. The truck, he said, was bought at a car mart and, since then, it has been his reliable mode of transportation.

Even with his accomplishments, Long has not forgotten his past. In fact, he still has his handcart, which kick-started his achievements. "I love the cart! I love it like how I love the truck because is it give me the truck."

At one point, Long said someone stole his cart. "I was at a church convention and I was telling some of my bredrin dem seh they stole the cart because they were asking me if I not going to get rid of it because I get the truck. And I remember, after leaving church the Sunday, the Monday I see somebody pushing my cart downtown! I jump out of my truck and confront him and ask him how him a claims up my tings! Him deny it and say is fi him own, but I know my cart and I got it back, I couldn't give up my cart so!"

Today he allows someone to use the cart, close to where he parks his truck during the days. A Christian for more than 20 years, he says he has no intention of expanding his business further. He is content with being able to provide for his family, which comprises his wife and three sons.

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com