Like many famous entrepreneurs, Arthur Lok Jack didn’t do well in school. Rather than academics, the Trinidadian businessman’s success was founded upon a desire in his younger days to emulate the achievements of successful people who he admired.

“School was not my bargain, it was a bit too confining for me,” acknowledged Lok Jack at a Christmas luncheon hosted by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) at the Hilton Kingston hotel on Wednesday. He was responding to questions from Erica Allen during a sit down interview segment with the veteran broadcaster.

“What interested me was delight in other people — successful people,” Lok Jack said. “It was aspirational to a larger extent.”

As such, Lok Jack said that a person with strong self confidence and positive role models is well positioned to achieve success.

“You must have role models; generally it is very important,” he said. “Once you have that, you can pattern yourself after someone and see how you can also achieve.”

Among the firms run by Lok Jack, one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the region, are financial services powerhouse Guardian Holdings Limited and Associated Brands Industries Limited (ABIL), one of the leading manufacturer and distributor of snack foods, chocolate confectionery, biscuits and breakfast cereals in the Caribbean.

Lok Jack has many investments in Jamaica, a country crippled by a confluence of economic issues exacerbated in the current global financial crisis. The businessman said that while he remained optimistic about the economic prospects of the island, many of his compatriots “may not feel this way”. Therefore, he urged greater communication on the issue, which will allow Trinidadians exposed to the economic climate in Jamaica, to be more informed and have a better feel of their investments on the island.

“Let us talk about Jamaica. Let us know what the Jamaican companies are doing to survive,” said Lok Jack. “Many of our companies have bought Jamaica bonds, they have invested very heavily in Jamaican paper.

“You know all the issues, all the problems and what the solutions are,” he said. “So we need to know.”