BambuSparks is a three-year-old online Jamaican publishing service company founded and co-owned by Cameka “Ruth” Taylor in November 2021.
According to BusinessDasher 1 , “a recent study by the University of North Carolina found that more than 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years. About 79% survive their first year, but by the 10th year, 70% fail. Among those that fail, 82% cite cash flow problems, while 33% of small business owners say their biggest challenge is lack of capital.”
This is why the Network Up: Connecting Opportunities community matters so much to me. Our business is still in a critical stage of growth, and like many others, we’ve faced cash flow challenges while trying to stabilize and expand. Network Up equips members with tools and expert guidance to access funding for both for-profit and non-profit ventures.
In February 2025, I had the privilege of being coached by Dr. Brad Smith and Dr. Scholastica Olagunju as I prepared to pitch for funding to advance our company’s vision—raising Caribbean legacy builders and creating more jobs for creatives through a Caribbean publishing marketplace. It was my first time pitching, and the preparation was eye-opening. The feedback I received was not only practical but transformative.
Applying these insights, we successfully planned our first in-person Publishing Summit—an event that cost over J$500,000 (US$3,125). Through sponsorships and discounts, we were able to offset expenses by more than J$160,000 (US$1,000). Even more exciting, the networking opportunities within the community led to a co-writing and book publishing collaboration with another member, helping him raise funds for his ministry while developing successors. BambuSparks is proud to be a co-sponsor of this project.
I am truly grateful to be part of this community, which not only positions us for funding but also fosters transformational relationships.
To learn more about BambuSparks and our services, visit www.bambusparks.com. I also encourage fellow BGU members, as well as Caribbean entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders, to consider joining this incredible network.
Cameka "Ruth" Taylor
EMBA Student
Jamaica