Growth & Jobs | From dream to enterprise: How a nano-grant sparked growth for Dames Electrical

AT JUST 34 years old, Dominic Morgan, founder of Dame’s Electrical and Home Renovation Services, is proving that with determination, skill, and the right support, small sparks can ignite big opportunities.

Morgan’s journey into electrical repairs began in childhood. “From a child’s age, I had a habit of dismantling things and never knowing how to put them back together, especially electronics,” he recalled with a laugh. What started as curiosity soon grew into a passion that would later anchor his livelihood.

Still, when he decided to strike out on his own about two years ago, the dream was not without challenges. “One of the biggest problems was not having the right tools,” he explained. “It made the job look unprofessional, and I even lost customers because of it.”

That changed when he became a recipient of a nano-grant from Project STAR. With the funds, Dominic invested in the essential tools his business needed to grow.

“It has helped me a lot. Not only can I take on more electrical wiring jobs in houses, but I can also rent out tools to other electricians who don’t have them. My business has grown, and customers are responding positively.”

The impact of the support goes beyond income. Dominic has also been able to share his knowledge with others in his Parade Gardens community. Some evenings, he takes time to teach friends and associates the basics of electrical work.

“Not everybody can afford to go to HEART, so sometimes I show them what to do, hands-on. If they want to take it further, I refer them to HEART,” he said.

Project STAR has also sponsored him to further his training, enrolling him in advanced electrical classes to move from Level 3 certification to Level 5. This qualification, he explained, will open doors for him both locally and internationally, making it easier to secure contracts and work overseas.

Looking ahead, Dominic envisions expanding his one-man operation into a small establishment. In five years, he hopes to run a shop offering electrical tools and equipment, alongside providing home renovation and installation services. Though he currently works alone, he sees employment creation as part of his future. “When the business stabilises, I want to bring in people. That way I can help others earn a living too,” he said.

For Morgan, the grant was more than financial support; it was a symbol of hope. “At first, I never knew I would actually get to start my own business. “I thought it was just a dream in the pipeline,” he reflected. “But when you believe in yourself greatly against all odds and you keep trying, there’s no struggle you can’t overcome.”

As a father of a seven-year-old son, Dominic is motivated to build not just for himself but for the next generation. He expressed gratitude to Project STAR for its role in empowering young entrepreneurs like him. “What they’re doing is helping the economy on a great scale. If they can help us to start small businesses, eventually the economy will come back to what it once was. For a better Jamaica, what they are doing is what is needed.”

Saffrey Brown, Project STAR’s project director, underscored the importance of this initiative: “Nano-grants are designed to remove some of the barriers that small entrepreneurs face when trying to get their businesses off the ground. Morgan’s story shows how access to the right tools and training can empower individuals, strengthen families, and build more resilient communities.”

From his home-based shop in Parade Gardens, Morgan is slowly building a foundation of resilience, one wire and one circuit at a time, a testament to how targeted support can electrify dreams into lasting change.