Eclipse Florals shifts from survival to sustainability with bank’s support
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Anand Kumar, owner, Eclipse Florals and Plant Store, at Market on the Lawn in Kingston where five merchants were given the opportunity to display and sell their products by NCB.
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Anand Kumar, owner, Eclipse Florals and Plant Store, assists a plant collector to make a selection at Market on the Lawn in Kingston where five merchants were given the opportunity to display and sell their products by NCB.
What began as a period of uncertainty following Hurricane Melissa has evolved into a renewed focus on growth for Montego Bay-based Eclipse Florals and Plant Store, as owner and operator Anand Kumar enters 2026 with a clearer strategy and renewed confidence.
“The hurricane forced me to rethink everything,” Kumar said. “What started as loss has turned into an opportunity to rebuild smarter and plan for growth.”
After the storm disrupted operations last October, Eclipse Florals suffered the complete loss of inventory, infrastructure and essential tools. Rather than marking the end of the business, the experience became a turning point, prompting a reassessment of how the company would operate, scale, and engage customers going forward.
That shift was supported by National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB), whose ongoing support continues to enable small businesses to move beyond recovery and towards sustainable growth. By providing practical market access and digital payment solutions, the Bank helped Kumar restore cash flow and rebuild momentum early in the new year.
With NCB’s support, Kumar participated in the Market on the Lawn at Devon House, an experience that delivered immediate results. The market allowed Eclipse Florals to reconnect with customers, generate sales, and validate demand insights that are now informing Kumar’s growth plans for 2026.
“The outcome exceeded my expectations,” Kumar said. “It helped me see that the business still has strong potential.” He also noted that the encouragement from his NCB agent, Monique Smith, also played a key role in shifting his outlook. “At first, I hesitated,” Kumar admitted. “But that support pushed me to take the step back into the market.”
The positive outcomes were further strengthened through collaboration within the plant entrepreneur community. Several fellow vendors contributed plants and products, enabling Eclipse Florals to participate and reinforcing the value of peer to peer support within the small business ecosystem.
A critical enabler of the business’s return and future expansion was NCB’s mobile point of sale (mPOS) solution, which ensured seamless card payments and reduced missed sales opportunities.
“The mPOS removed a major barrier,” Kumar said. “It allowed me to focus on customers and maximise every sale.”
Proceeds from the market are now being reinvested into inventory, infrastructure, and future market participation, as Eclipse Florals transitions from rebuilding to expansion.
“This experience has reset how I approach the business,” Kumar added. “I’m no longer just recovering; I’m planning how to grow.”
Danielle Cameron Duncan, vice president, payments and digital channels at NCB, said the outcome reflects NCB’s broader commitment to enabling economic growth.
“Our role is to ensure entrepreneurs have both the tools and the opportunities to move forward,” she said.
“We understand that when small businesses regain confidence and clarity, they grow, and that growth strengthens communities and the wider economy.”