GoodHeart | Entrepreneur and deejay Odaine Small's favourite title is dad

For entrepreneur and deejay Odaine Small, fatherhood comes first. While he balances multiple responsibilities, being a dad to Tia-Moy remains his most important role. The 33-year-old wears many hats as he works to build a life for his family alongside Tia-Moy's mother, Trishanna Martin. 

Beyond his work as an event promoter and a disc jockey with Stone Love, Small also co-owns a bar and cook shop with Martin. He further supports his family through Canada's seasonal farm work programme, spending months away from home in pursuit of greater opportunities for those he loves.

At the heart of that effort is his eight-year-old daughter, Tia-Moy. "That's daddy's little expensive girl," he shared with a laugh.

Small describes fatherhood as the driving force behind his outlook on life, saying it has helped him see the world differently and focus on what truly matters.

"Since becoming a father, I look at life more positively now and try to avoid conflict as best as possible,” he added.

Originally from Guys Hill, St Catherine, Small now resides in St Mary. Between entertainment engagements and travelling for work overseas, distance is one of the biggest challenges he faces as a father. Despite this, he makes every effort to ensure his daughter never questions his presence in her life.

So, when the phone rings, there is one call Small never misses. On the other end of the screen is Tia-Moy, eager to tell him about her day, her schoolwork, and the latest happenings in her eight-year-old world.

 He speaks proudly of her accomplishments, describing her as a top scholar who understands that his sacrifices are rooted in love and a desire to provide for her future.

"She understands the hustle because she's really smart and she knows she's expensive," he said with a smile. "Daddy has to get it to maintain her." 

The calls help bridge the distance, and whenever he is home, Small makes it a priority to be physically present.

"If I'm in Jamaica working, I always try to get home before it's time for her to get ready for school, so she can see that I'm present," he explained.

When they're together, the duo enjoys spending time watching movies, football or playing their own made-up game they call "bitings".

"When we a do that, nothing else matters until somebody cries foul," he said, laughing.

Those moments remain among his most treasured. Their playful bond is balanced by structure and discipline. Small describes himself as the stricter parent, often having to be the one who says no when Tia-Moy's mother is more willing to give in.

"Sometimes her mother lets her get away with a lot of things, but I have to put my foot down," he noted.

Still, every lesson comes from a place of love. He hopes to instil values that will guide her throughout life, though, for now, his focus is on ensuring she remains committed to her studies.

"I just want her to keep shining and continue being the brilliant child that she is. I want her to focus on her books, because nothing else matters," Small said.

When asked how Tia-Moy would describe him, he didn't hesitate. "Miserable," he said, bursting into laughter. "That's what she would say. But she loves me dearly."

Despite describing himself as a people person and confidently claiming the title of "number one father", a title he believes his community would readily support, Small is not one to seek recognition and admits to not often celebrating milestones or special occasions, including his own birthday. "Child Month means more to me than Father's Day, as long as my family is happy, I'm happy," he said with reassurance.

Small is among three fathers Malta has chosen to highlight during this year’s Father’s Day celebrations, alongside Donald Andrade and Shapiro Cooke. Through its The Good You Give campaign, the brand honours men who consistently show up for their families, while encouraging reflection on the value of the father-child relationship.

As part of the initiative, Small and his family received a Mystic Mountain experience in Ocho Rios. While many would be looking forward to the attractions and adventure that come with such a trip, Small’s excitement lies elsewhere.

"I'm just looking forward to seeing the joy on their (his family's) faces throughout the day."

When he learned he would be honoured this Father's Day, he was both humbled and grateful.

"It's a great feeling, it's not like I'm looking for anything, but I really appreciate it," he said.

goodheart@gleanerjm.com