I’m writing a blog under the theme fambili legacy highlighting family-owned businesses.  This week we are featuring a father-daughter owned business in time for father’s day. See information below:
JBDC ‘Fambili’ Campaign: Interview Questions & Answers
Respondent: Miss Lacey-Ann Bartley, Bartley’s All In Wood Ltd.
1. Can you tell us the story behind your business—how and why it started?
Bartley’s All In Wood began when my father, Stanford Bartley, was just 15 years old. He learned the trade under the mentorship of Brother D, a local cabinetmaker in Mandeville, Manchester. Over time, he became a skilled and passionate wood craftsman. With his good friend Clive Richards, he decided to turn this talent into a business.

They started in a small workshop located in our church yard, handcrafting wooden furniture, home décor, and gift items. My father’s vision was to create timeless, high-quality Jamaican pieces that celebrate the beauty of our local wood and culture.

What began as a modest operation has grown into a respected family business—now recognized both locally and internationally for excellence in wooden craftsmanship and fine joinery.
2. What roles do each of you play in the day-to-day operations?
My father, Stanford Bartley, is the Key Man and Master Craftsman. His deep understanding of wood, design, and technique continues to shape the authenticity and integrity of our work.

I, Lacey-Ann Bartley, serve as the Managing Director. I lead the strategic direction of the company, oversee marketing, cultivate partnerships, and drive business development initiatives.

My mother serves as the Quality Manager, ensuring every piece meets our high standards. My partner, a trained Industrial Engineer, supports production systems and operations. My uncle assists part-time with building pieces and sourcing materials.

Together, we combine legacy craftsmanship with modern business practices and strategic planning.
3. How has working together as a family shaped the direction or culture of the business?
Working as a family has cultivated a culture rooted in trust, shared purpose, and long-term vision. Every decision is made with legacy in mind—preserving tradition while evolving with the times.

Our values show up in our craftsmanship, customer service, and team leadership. Being family-led means the work is personal—we’re not just building a business, we’re building a legacy of Jamaican excellence.
4. What’s one major challenge you’ve faced together in business—and how did you overcome it?
One of our biggest challenges was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism sector—one of our key markets—came to a complete standstill, and our sales dropped significantly.

We pivoted as a team, introducing new product lines including finish carpentry for the construction sector and sawdust by-products. We also enhanced our digital presence and restructured operations. Our shared mission and adaptability helped us not just survive, but evolve.
5. What is it like working with your father? What have you learned about each other through this partnership?
Working with my father has been a profound experience. He is more than a craftsman—he is a teacher, a visionary, and the embodiment of integrity. From him, I’ve learned the value of precision, consistency, and legacy.

Our collaboration shows how traditional craftsmanship and modern business strategy can coexist to expand impact. We push and support each other in a way that strengthens both the business and our bond.
6. How do you separate family life from business—or do you?
Separation is ideal, but not always possible. Family meals often turn into planning sessions, and business ideas sometimes flow during downtime.

Still, we intentionally make time to just be a family. Our shared faith and mutual respect help us maintain balance. We understand when to press pause and nurture our relationships beyond work.
7. What strengths does each of you bring to the table?
My father brings decades of craftsmanship and an unmatched knowledge of wood and design. My mother, as Quality Manager, brings keen attention to detail and ensures that every product reflects our high standards. My partner, with his industrial engineering background, strengthens our production systems and workflow efficiency.

I bring strategic leadership, marketing insight, and a strong drive for brand development and growth. My uncle contributes hands-on support in building pieces and sourcing materials when needed. Together, we form a well-integrated team rooted in tradition and equipped for innovation.
8. What does celebrating Father’s Day mean to you this year, in the context of your business journey?
This Father’s Day carries deep meaning. It’s a chance to celebrate the man whose vision, hands, and heart built the foundation we stand on today.

His work ethic, wisdom, and quiet leadership continue to shape who we are as a family and a business. Every handcrafted piece is a tribute to his legacy and love.
9. What values has your father passed down that show up in how the business is run?
Integrity, discipline, humility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence—these are the values my father has passed down.

His motto, “Whatever your hands find to do, do it well,” is a guiding principle in our workshop and our lives. His respect for nature, craft, and people is reflected in every product and partnership we build.
10. Where do you see the business five or ten years from now?
In five to ten years, we see Bartley’s All In Wood as a recognized leader in the sustainable luxury design industry, both locally and internationally.

We plan to expand our operations, grow our presence in hospitality and corporate gifting, and open a flagship location that includes a showroom, cultural gallery, working studio, orchard, and artisan training hub. Our long-term vision is to empower a new generation of Jamaican artisans and manufacturers through mentorship, employment, and education.