By Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant – Chair, WIBO Board of Directors
One of the greatest privileges of serving as the Board Chair of the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) is witnessing what can happen when determination meets education, and when a community supports entrepreneurs during their most challenging moments. The journey of Aniceto Charles Jr., Co-Owner of Tru Jamaica Restaurant, powerfully illustrates why WIBO exists and why our work is essential.
Tru Jamaica Restaurant began as a dream deeply rooted in culture, family, and community in Waco, Texas. When Aniceto and his family opened their doors in December 2019, their vision was clear: to bring authentic Jamaican flavors to Waco while creating a welcoming space where food, culture, and connection could flourish. It was a bold and hopeful step forward.
Just months later, the world changed.
As the COVID-19 pandemic caused cities and small businesses across the country to shut down, Tru Jamaica faced the same uncertainty as many other entrepreneurs. Dining rooms closed, revenue streams vanished overnight, and survival required creativity, adaptability, and courage. Like many small businesses, Tru Jamaica pivoted by embracing takeout, nurturing community relationships, and relying on the trust they had built locally. In those tough times, one truth became undeniable: business is never just about the product; it is about the people. The Waco community truly showed up.
As reopening began, new challenges emerged. Rising food costs, inflation, staffing shortages, and economic instability put the business to the test in new ways. This is where the foundation Aniceto built through WIBO became crucial. WIBO equips entrepreneurs not only to start businesses but also to understand them better. Through WIBO, Aniceto learned how to know his numbers, price with intention, document systems, and make data-driven decisions rather than emotional ones. These lessons led to stronger budgeting practices, tighter cost controls, better vendor relationships, and a renewed focus on sustainable growth.
Then came the unimaginable.
In December 2022, a fire destroyed Tru Jamaica Restaurant. In an instant, everything Aniceto and his family had built was gone. The loss was devastating emotionally, financially, and mentally. However, resilience is not about avoiding hardship; it’s about choosing to rise again.
With the support of family, customers, community partners, and city stakeholders in Waco, Aniceto decided to rebuild. The process was long and challenging, filled with delays, regulations, and moments of uncertainty. Once again, the principles reinforced through WIBO; long-term planning, accountability, perseverance, and clarity of mission served as a guide. The rebuild became a reset: an opportunity to strengthen systems, reassess operations, and recommit to purpose.
In October 2025, nearly three years after the fire, Tru Jamaica proudly reopened its doors.
This reopening was not just a business milestone; it was a testament to faith, resilience, education, and community. Today, Tru Jamaica stands as living proof that small businesses can endure extraordinary challenges when built on strong foundations and supported by the right tools and people.
Aniceto’s journey reminds us that WIBO does not simply help entrepreneurs launch businesses; we help them build enterprises capable of weathering storms. His story reflects what is possible when determination, knowledge, and community come together.
We are immensely proud of Aniceto Charles Jr. and honored that Tru Jamaica represents the spirit of WIBO in Waco, Texas, and beyond. As Aniceto reminds everyone who walks through his doors, “Don’t forget Tru Jamaica—tempting Texas tummies with a taste of Jamaica. Ya mon!!!”