This Week We Feature Young Professional Alliston A. Blyden
An inability to complete his college studies at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) did not stop father of two, Alliston A. Blyden from forging a path through Entrepreneurship to build a better life.
A Security Officer by night at the BVI Airports Authority, Mr Blyden uses his days to manage his landscaping company, ‘Quality Cutting & Yard Cleaning Services’.
Building a Business
Originating from the Hope Hill area of Tortola, Mr Blyden told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), he attended Bell Vue Primary and Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) where he graduated 2008, "and yes I attended the HLSCC but did not complete it."
Blyden said his area of interest was General Studies with Construction as a major, however, while those studies were not completed our Young Professional says his business is booming with several services offered.
According to Blyden, the business entails tree cutting and pruning, yard trimming services, garbage and debris disposal, property fencing, power washing of deck's, patios, parking lots and driveways.
“What I enjoy most about doing this business is the look on the happy clients faces after a job well done,” he said.
Blyden said in starting up the business, one of the biggest challenges was finding employees, and often, clients are hard to please no matter how hard a job is done at their premises.
Learning & Growing
“My biggest life lesson so far would have to be hanging with bad company. I overcame this by asking God to help me remove myself from them,” he told VINO.
Before entering the field, Blyden said he worked at Scrub Island for a few months back in 2016 as a houseman, along with being a driver.
According to our Young Professional, the business was financed through help from family and friends.
He said his current entrepreneurial business career was not always his desire, but after doing it for years and seeing the potential, he will definitely continue on the path.
“The inspiration came about in track and field days. Ae would go out and cut grass to raise funds to travel to attend different track meets and after school I continued doing did it, to have quick money,” he said.
Staying Focused
Blyden said what keeps him focused on the job is his two children Aria and Elijah Blyden.
“I wish to see myself as one of the top named Cutting and Cleaning Services in the VI."
He told VINO that the most interesting thing about himself remains an ability to remain focused and stay focused through hard times.
“Do not settle yourself in life if you work for a company or yourself. Always try to teach for that next spot or position in life,” he told VINO.
Our Young Professional called for more involvement of young people into politics, "Most decisions made in politics affect us most, so it's best we involve ourselves,” he said.
Parting Advice
In sharing final words of advice to youths pursuing a passion, our Young Professional said, “I would tell them find something that you are good at and love doing and never give up even when times gets hard. God will see you through once you pray and believe,”
Blyden thanks his parents and immediate family Craig Lake, Nicky Scattlife, Tevin Freeman and Winston Potter for their support and for having big dreams and never being afraid to chase them.
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19 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Alliston A. Blyden”
This is GREAT!!!!! God says: Bad associations spoil useful habits. You, Mr. Blyden, have proven to yourself that God's word is true that is why you removed yourself. Good going!