Athalyah Yisrael holds on to her passion

By Abigail Brower
WHEN she was younger, Athalyah Yisrael admits that she had developed a personality that did not impress: she had attitude, she was argumentative, aggressive, and a ‘’know it all’’.
Born to an extended family in Guyana, Athalyah had issues with her career and never knew what she wanted to pursue. After writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations at the Saint John’s College, her parents sent her to do Law at Saint Stanislaus College, Sixth form. “Day one in class it was a lot of writing and I said Law wasn’t for me, but my parents were always supportive, so they shipped me to London,” Yisrael said in an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine.
Yisrael worked as a babysitter for a private home and it was there that she found her passion.

Although she never got the opportunity to further her studies in London, due to financial difficulties, Yisrael moved back to Guyana to continue studying. She attended the University of Guyana and majored in Social Work, which she believes was closest to her passion.

Yisrael landed her first job in Guyana at the School of the Nations in the Administration Department, where she had her second opportunity to deal with children, but it wasn’t successful as she said, she encountered some difficulties with the school due to her attitude. “They asked me to address my attitude and I was fired,” she admitted.
Her second job was at the Demerara Distiller Limited (DDL) ‘’ I was dealing with people both above me and under me, so definitely I had to work on my attitude and I also thank the principal of the school for firing me,” she said with a laugh.

NEW DIRECTION
As a woman whose core belongs to the business world, Athalyah Yisrael had the vision to have her own business “I believe my children should have something to look forward to,
like the Kissoon’s and Sons Company,” she said. She later ventured her into owning a business.

Perseverance, imagination and courage sustained her transformation, her family nurtured her independence and entrepreneurial spirit. Out of what had been a chaotic and heart-breaking experience came indeed a new business strategy for Yisrael. Her business was branded as ‘’Mobile Fun Park’’ where the fun is brought to the children as she puts it.
Yisrael started her business in 2014 with a small bouncy castle. In 2015, the business expanded with a trampoline. This past summer, Mobile Fun Park has hosted a two-week fun-filled programme for children. ‘’ I believe that children go to school all the time, so two weeks of non-stop fun is what is needed during their leisure time,’’ she said.
She can identify similarities between her work as a business owner and her initiative of projects. Yisrael believes in empowering children to flourish, by providing them with the opportunities to save and prosper at an early age and to foster creativity.
In a new venture to encourage entrepreneurship and fostering creativity among children, Yisrael launched ‘’Smart Money Habits’’ for children in July, as part of her Fun Park anniversary celebrations. ‘’As an entrepreneur, I struggled with finances, I was a heavy spender and my husband always bailed me out with money issues,’’ says Yisrael. The Smart Money Habit initiative will teach children to budget at an early age. Yisrael remains mindful of her own entrepreneurial beginnings and has received great ideas from her soul sister, Kamani Yisrael, who helped fuel her business today.

Just as she had her family’s support from her childhood to her earliest career, to her business ventures today, Yisrael aims to provide encouragement and inspiration for even adults who wish to become entrepreneurs. But, she, says, the ultimate reward for an entrepreneur is individual and personal. ” ‘I aspire to Inspire before I expire’ is a profound quote by Eugene Bell Jr.,” says Yisrael, as she reflects on her journey to the point in her life. “We are not just here to live out our life until our time comes to leave earth. We all have a purpose here, so why not aspire to inspire before you expire?’’
Whether it is social function, seminar, workshops or fundraiser, Yisrael has left her mark on many of the children in Guyana. “I think I was born to be a mentor and an inspiration to many.

Since opening her company, which has now changed to Fun Park Rentals, the event guru has been an integral part of developing special events across Guyana where she has rubbed shoulders with families and children from different communities. These events include fun days and smart money minds workshops.
Motivated by her desire to challenge and inspire, Yisrael also serves on the board as a toastmaster at the Cacique Toast Masters Club and act as a mentor for children. She believes that it is an opportunity to teach young people to save and prosper she says, adding that today’s youth need to see that saving can make an impact in society and it is acknowledged and celebrated.

If it’s an event organised by Yisrael, chances are it will run on time and without a glitch and even if the unexpected does occur, one wouldn’t know it behind her quick thinking and attention to detail -all the while flashing her trademark smile. “It’s about giving 110 percent more than expected,’’ says Yisrael. “There will always be unforeseen happenings, but never let them see you sweat. I’ve seen it all so there’s nothing that I can’t handle. My work is not really work, it’s fun, it’s my passion,” she said.
Yisrael believes that as a growing company she’s hoping that the government and private sector will collaborate with her company to work with children in schools to impact their lives, set goals and create a vision for them at an early age.

For anyone who wants to brave the world of entrepreneurship, Yisrael shares some crucial points she learned on her journey in the business world: “Everyone who has an idea or passion to venture off into entrepreneurship should go for it! Often, I meet people who say, oh I had an idea 10 years ago but it’s in the market now. Also, it is not an invention when it goes public, it is a product. You should detach yourself from the idea when it takes the form,” she said.