Hey chat, pretend you are a business journalist writing features on family owned businesses. Desilva Hall Designs is one such business. You spoke to her. The transcript of the convo is here: So Belinda Hall, you operate the Silver Hall Designs, right? Tell me what was the inspiration behind starting the Silver Hall Designs? Well, I was home not working, so when you're home not working, you need cash. So I have to think outside the box. So I started painting on the bottles because I didn't really want to do canvas. 

So I wanted to be unique. So that was, so it all started by someone being home not working and you need, you know, cash for your daily, you know, survival. Yeah. 

So I know what, I know your products, I know what you do, but for someone who is not aware of the Silver Hall Designs, tell me about your business. Oh, well, the Silver Hall Designs, we focus on upcycling. So we're not fully 100% upcycling because that the lights, you know, we have to import those. 

But, and I like the paint, so, but everything else we focus on upcycling. So in other words, we're helping to keep the environment clean also. Yes. 

So we upcycle wine bottles, rum bottles, you name it, we do it. Plates. Yeah. 

Because I'm coming up with some plates for the Christmas in July trade show. Mm-hmm. And it's all about the heart and, you know, the artwork.

And so it's like you're getting a lamp because most of them have the lights, but then you're also getting like a piece of artwork, like on a canvas, but it is on a bottle. On a recycled bottle. Yeah. 

We also do vases and picture frames now. Recently adding picture frames. Yeah.

Okay. When did you start out? Which year? I think it was my first Christmas in July trade show, I think it was in 2018. 2018. 

Mm-hmm. So you started in 2018 and then you went to Christmas in July 20, that same year. Yeah. 

Christmas in July trade show was what gave me the start. Okay. Tell me what that experience was like. 

Because I didn't have any customers at all during those times. Yeah. Tell me what that experience was like at the first Christmas in July. 

What was the reception from the people? Oh, it was great. It was great. You know, I got, you know, my customer, well, one major customer that I'm still doing work for up until this day.

And then that was on sandals. So, I mean, to get sandals on your first Christmas in July. So, that was excellent. 

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. 

So, you operate this business with your sister, am I correct? My sister, she, I owe her all nine to five, but you know, she will help me. Yeah, she will. Yeah. 

Okay. Tell me what that was like. Let's go on the show. 

Pardon me? To have that type of support in your business, tell me what, how that helps you. A great deal because I don't drive. So, with my sister's tipping and to help me, you know, to move around more freely. 

Yeah. And like I said before, when I'm going on the show, that market on lawn, Christmas in July show, Expo Jamaica, they're there. Yeah. 

So, she, do you have like background in art or so? Well, from I know myself, I was always, you know, trying doing stuff because it's something that I love from I was pretty young. So, I haven't gotten any formal training, you know, painting is concern and stuff like, no. But then what I realised over the years that I'm doing this job, this work, I noticed that it's like I'm finding myself really. 

So, I'm doing more and more and more and more and more and I explore more and more and more and then, you know, things coming out. So, I said, you know, it's, you know, it is so nice for me to be, you know, finding myself and, you know, because every Christmas in July show and trade show, if you notice that I come differently. Yeah. 

I don't leave all the bottles because I started with my bottle but every year they look different. Okay. And that's what I'm coming out with this year again. 

Something different. Yeah. Right. 

Yeah. Okay. So, you started out in 2018.

You had some free time and you're saying, you know what, I have nothing to do, let's do this. And you started doing it on your own. The business school, right? The business school, you started to go to trade shows and you need a BBC and Christmas in July trade show. 

Yeah. Was it like a discussion with your sister to say, hey, I need the help or did she, you know, see that you needed that extra hand and chimed in? What was it like a silent agreement or was it a discussion? It was a silent agreement, I should say, because she said that I needed help and they just pitch right in. So, I didn't have to help.

Tell me what you think about family and business. From you, what's your take on family and business? On family and business? I should say that every family and, you know, everybody that is doing business, they should involve their family in it. I don't have a problem with it because it works for me. 

But then again, you know, maybe it's the type of family that I have. Because from a younger, we were brought up to help each other. So, maybe that is the big difference.

Because my mom, she instilled that in us that we should help each other. Four of us and that's what we do. We help each other.

What's your sister's name if you don't mind sharing? Oh, her name is Fiona Hall. Can you spell that for me, please? F-I-O-N-A. Yes, Fiona. 

And then you have Marshall. And do they help in production at all or is there any other aspect? No, they used to come and help wash the bottles. But now they are so busy. 

So, my dad helps me wash the bottles. Oh, so your father also helps you. So, there are different family members.

So, tell me what that looks like. My dad helps me wash the bottles. When I didn't have them, you know, you just pick them up and start washing them. 

Because that's that value of family helping each other, isn't it? Right, yes. Do you have a website? No, I don't. And I should say too that I have a fan that keeps eating at the shows also.

Okay. And her name is Christine DeSilva Campbell. Christine? DeSilva Campbell.

Okay. So, the name of your business is the family name? Right, yeah. Because I am Hall. 

But I named it because my late mom was DeSilva Hall. So, Christine is who? My mom's sister. Mom's sister. 

So, your aunt. Right. So, I chose the name in honour of my mom. 

My late mom because she passed. All right. I would need some images of your products and possibly you.

I don't know if you have like family photos. Maybe something you could share. Family photos of my sisters and I. Yeah.

I'm not quite sure. I'll have to check. Yeah. 

But if you have a photo of you, that could work too. But it would be nice to get family photos. Oh.

My email address is A Townsend. Is this a WhatsApp number? Yes, it's the WhatsApp number. Oh.

Or could it be WhatsApp the email? Yeah. Okay. And if I have the pictures too, I could send it to the WhatsApp, don't you? Yeah.

Okay. So, I'll text you and you can send it to me. Okay.

Okay.