Meesha Lewin is a beacon of positivity and warmth, spreading joy to those around her through her contagious smile. But what drives this woman to be so radiant and motivated? Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the importance of education. A former waitress, sales representative, business owner, administrator, and customer solutions advisor, Lewin has worn many hats in her career. Yet, her signature smile remains a constant throughout. She attributes this practice to her childhood, where she learned to wear a smile to mask the reality of her struggles. “Offering a smile to someone, irrespective of how they appear, can really make a difference to them because, who knows? They might be hiding their struggles like I used to do,” Lewin shared. Her unwavering dedication to her work is evident in her performance. As a top-performing business development officer at First Global Bank’s Liguanea branch, Lewin has consistently exceeded her targets. In August 2024, she surpassed annual goals, achieving 159 per cent of her target in credit card sales, with months to spare. But Lewin’s success is not solely attributed to her professional prowess. Her personal experiences and lessons learned throughout her career have shaped her approach to sales and customer service. As a former waitress, she developed the art of needs-based selling, while her roles as a sales representative and business owner taught her the importance of soft skills and self-motivation. “I have learnt that offering a smile to someone, irrespective of how they appear, can really make a difference to them because, who knows? They might be hiding their struggles like I used to do,” Lewin said. Her approach to sales is centered on building relationships and providing value to clients. She ensures that at the end of each encounter, her customers have gained enough product knowledge to be comfortable with planning and determining their next steps. To her, it is more than just selling – it is about empowering clients to achieve their financial goals. Lewin’s commitment to education and financial literacy is evident in her work. She teaches her clients some element of financial literacy, helping them to make informed decisions about their financial lives. Her goal is to empower clients, not just sell products. “Working at the Liguanea branch has become my true immersion into the world of banking. There are many different demands and personalities that come into the bank daily, but I stay tunnel-visioned on my goals. When I do that, it reminds me that that is the reason why these clients are here as well. They have a need and a goal, and I am here to assist with that,” she reasoned. Lewin’s drive for excellence is motivated by her family. Growing up in a challenging environment, she is grateful for her parents’ efforts to provide for her and her four siblings with limited resources. Her family is everything to her, and she is driven to succeed not just for herself, but for them as well. A chance encounter with a teacher at McGrath High School on orientation day shifted Lewin’s life trajectory. She was exposed to a different culture and mindset, and this experience opened her eyes to the many opportunities available to her. She eventually matriculated to the University of Technology, Jamaica to read for her Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, becoming the first in her family for generations to attain higher education. Lewin’s mantra is: “I can be the change instead of waiting for the change”. This philosophy has driven her to succeed, and she continues to be a good example for her siblings. She wants to break the chain of limitations that has held her family back and inspire others to do the same. With her recent achievement of becoming a homeowner, Lewin has done another first in her immediate family, showing them that with enough financial guidance, determination, and literacy, anything is possible. Meesha Lewin’s advice to others is to find what makes you happy, so that when the hard times come, you have something to put your mind at ease and continue with your work.

“…find what makes you happy so that when the hard times come or when you become overwhelmed, you have something to put your mind at ease enough to function and continue with your work”. — Meesha Lewin

She is a shining example of the power of resilience, determination, and education. Her story serves as a reminder that with hard work and the right mindset, anything is possible.