Well Ample Productions giving female creatives a safe space to prosper

“Our first event, ‘Our Love’, was held in February 2022, and that really marked the beginning of our journey. We officially registered Well Ample Productions in 2023, after realising how much impact and community energy was growing around what we were doing,” Rica ‘Rica G’ Richards told The Gleaner about her company of which she, a STEAM education specialist, spoken word artiste, and musician, is co-founder and CEO.

Jody-Ann ‘Drummy Jo’ Brown, a percussionist, “multi-hyphenated creative”, and community builder, is co-founder and chief financial officer. Morgan ‘Marz’ Marson, a singer, songwriter, and “guitarist with a passion for sound and storytelling”, is co-founder and engineer, while Zauditu ‘Zaudi’ Fagan, a singer-songwriter and photographer “whose lens captures both performance and process”, is co-founder and secretary.

In rationalising the manifestation of this women-operated business, Richards also said, “Well Ample was born out of our lived experiences in the creative industry, particularly as women navigating environments that often felt unsafe or dismissive. We wanted to build something different, a creative home where women and allies could thrive, collaborate, and express themselves freely. It’s a space rooted in care, solidarity, and the belief that art can be both healing and transformative. Well Ample Productions was founded by a team of four female creatives who each bring a unique mix of artistry, technical skill, and community leadership.”

Each of them contributes to both the creative and administrative aspects of the company. Beyond their core team, their wider community of artistes, musicians, and supporters is integral to everything they do. They help shape their events, contribute to their projects, and keep them “grounded in the purpose they started with”.

The business is a cultural production company focused on audio projects, artist development, and community-centred events. They produce live jam sessions, open mics, workshops, and “learning experiences that blend artistic expression with wellness and empowerment”. Their flagship series, penSOUL, has been running monthly since 2022, and “has become a beloved open-mic space where artistes explore social and mental wellness through creativity and fellowship”.

CHALLENGES

But, there are challenges.

“Like many creative start-ups, funding and sustainability are ongoing challenges. We’ve also had to unlearn a lot of toxic industry norms while trying to model something new – an environment rooted in safety, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. Building structure around community-driven work takes time and resources, but we’re proud of how far we’ve come,” Richards shared.

“The base challenge is really socio-economic; many creatives, especially young ones, simply don’t have access to the financial literacy, networks, or collateral that institutions require. Being women compounds that challenge because of ongoing gender bias, underrepresentation, and the lack of institutional trust in women-led businesses. So, it’s not only about gender; it’s also about class, education, and access. That’s why we’re intentional about building systems of support and collective knowledge within our community. When one of us grows, we all grow.”

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

Yes, there are also opportunities for growth.

“There’s huge potential in creative production in Jamaica, especially for young people with skills in audio engineering, digital media, event production, and marketing. As we grow, we aim to offer more opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and paid creative work, particularly for women and emerging artistes who might not otherwise have access to those networks,” Richards said.

“Our vision is to become a leading cultural production house in the Caribbean, known for centring women, community, and wellness in the creative process. We want to expand our studio and learning programmes, collaborate regionally, and continue building spaces where art and healing meet.”

The company was a participant in Kingston Creative’s Film, Animation, Music & Entertainment (FAME) incubator Demo Day, during Kingston Creative’s Artwalk Festival on Sunday, September 28, when The Gleaner spoke with Richards in the presence of her business partners.

“FAME gave us the structure, mentorship, and resources to turn our vision into a sustainable business. As creatives, we often focus on the art but neglect the systems that allow that art to flourish. The incubator helped us strengthen our operations and clarify our long-term goals. Demo Day, in particular, was a chance to share that growth with others and attract partners who believe in our mission,” she told The Gleaner in a post-event interview.