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Issue 14
Tracy Highland
A Jill of all Trades
Jamal Hall
Creating Bajan Food with a Twist
Gregory Skeete
Applying Engineering Principles to Life
Khalil & Veronica A Big Beeping Impact
Try me!
Ozone’s Mi-Fi device
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from the publisher As we get going in the new year, I’m sure many of you would have had the time to reflect on 2017. Barbados faces a new set of challenges, and I will admit that it’s not as pretty as it looks on the outside. The country has been bogged down by transparency issues and inefficiencies in the public sector. Part of the problem lies in what seems to be an inability to accept certain failures as a country. It’s these failures compounded by pride that stop us dead in our tracks. As entrepreneurs, we are part of the problem but also part of the solution, and the roadmap to solving these issues wasn’t as clear as it is now. Our abilities to think outside of the box and create new and progressive ideas is what the country needs right now. Dazzle Barbados has been part of that solution for the last four years. We gave inspiration to our young entrepreneurs and by extension to you our readers to recognise that solutions and creativity are around us right here on this ‘rock’. Our featured entrepreneurs in this issue show what one can do with an idea and a bit of re-inventing. Remember that any failure is a learning experience, and to embrace it is a step forward in the right direction. I would like to thank my team and business partners 123 Digital Limited for their support over the years, and I hope you enjoy reading Issue 14.
Dazzle Magazine Barbados is a new, fresh Barbadian bi-monthly publication that provides much needed exposure to young professionals, entrepreneurs, and established businesses. It covers an array of topics and categories key to starting and running a business. It also offers practical advice on everyday living, tips for a healthy lifestyle and interviews with popular and up-and-coming personalities.
Make changes happen in 2018!
Ryan Wills Managing Editor
Dazzle Magazine Barbados is designed to appeal to a diverse range of readers but is especially targeted at working professionals and business owners between the ages of 2150 years. We provide our advertising clients with value for money by offering them a powerful medium to market their products, offer deals and build their brand. Best of all, we give them the opportunity to be a part of a nationwide and online market place of actively engaged consumers who are ready to buy, all at an affordable price. To advertise in The Dazzle Barbados Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone 1(246) 234 8140 or email info@ dazzlebarbados.com for more information and terms and conditions.
table of
contents Features
10. Tracy Highland - A Jill of all Trades 18. Gregory Skeete - Applying Engineering Principles to Life 26. Khalil Bryan & Veronica Millington - A Big Beeping Impact 36. Jamal Hall - Creating Bajan Food with a Twist
The 411
08. Becoming a Networking Event Guru
Mastering Marketing
16. 5 Ways for Small Businesses to Use the Internet to Increase Revenue
Publisher 123 Digital Limited Managing Editor Ryan Wills Sales & Marketing Orinje Nation Art Director Aldrin Henry Sydel Charles Contributors Saskia Moseley Shannon Clarke Dawn Franklin Sacha Austin Alana Morgan Rankin Morgan Photography Ryan Wills Charles Phillips
Professional Progress
14. Conflict Management. Why your work environment is toxic 22. How to Keep Your Business Afloat When You Are Not 34. Turning a Hobby into a Business
Issue 14
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Health & Fitness
07. The Amazing Health Benefits of Pineapple 24. Dear Men: We Must Fight Prostate Cancer in 2018
Lifestyle
30. How to Handle the Haters
Eating In
43. Calabaza Squash Cinnamon Rolls
Gadgets & Gizmos
40. Ozone’s Mi-Fi device
Out and About
44. Out and About
46. Virtual Living
Tracy Highland
A Jill of all Trades
Jamal Hall
Creating Bajan Food with a Twist
Gregory Skeete
Applying Engineering Principles to Life
Khalil & Veronica A Big Beeping Impact
Try me!
Ozone’s Mi-Fi device
On The Cover: Khalil Bryan & Veronica Millington
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contact us
For more information visit us at www.dazzlebarbados.com or call us at 1(246) 234 8140
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Tracy Highland A Jill of all Trades pg. 10
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The Amazing Health Benefits of Pineapples
W
e may not all agree on the sumptuousness of the pineapple but the health benefits can’t be denied. They are fantastic! Here are seven reasons why you should try a pineapple today.
Strong Bones Pineapples are well known for their ability to build and maintain strong bones. This is because they contain manganese, which is a trace mineral that your body needs to build strong bones and connective tissues. In fact, if you consume a cup of pineapple juice, you can get 73 percent of your total body requirement for manganese.
Gum Health People are always very concerned about their teeth but they sometimes fail to pay enough attention to the gums. Our gums are equally essential since they hold the teeth in place. If a person has unhealthy gums, his/her teeth would be in bad condition and will eventually fall out. Eating pineapple will
strengthen your gums and that will, in turn, help keep your teeth healthy and strong.
I can see you! Time and again, studies have shown that pineapples protect against age-related eye problems because they are rich in antioxidants.
Helps with irregular bowel movement Pineapples are rich in fibre, making them effective in curing constipation and irregular bowel movement.
Keeps your skin beautiful! Pineapple contains enzymes that increase the skin’s elasticity, improves skin hydration and removes damaged and dead cells. As a result, it helps you achieve a clear and glowing complexion. The enzymes in pineapples also fight free-radical damage and can reduce age spots and fine lines.
Treats Intestinal Worms Pineapples contain the digestive enzyme bromelain. A diet rich in pineapple helps clear certain intestinal parasites such as tapeworms.
Relieves Nausea A key benefit of pineapple juice is that it averts nausea or morning sickness. This is very useful for pregnant women who usually experience nausea. It also helps people who are looking to travel on an airplane or go on boat trips, which usually cause motion sickness.
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Becoming a Networking Event Guru
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etworking is an integral part of growing a small business. It can open doors to opportunities, provide platforms for entrepreneurs to share information about their product or service, and meet potential business partners. In developing a networking plan, entrepreneurs may attend local chamber events, participate in charity events, and even host their own networking event.
As a small business owner, what kinds of networking activities should I consider? The most popular type of networking event is the cocktail event. It is a social gathering usually held at the end of a work day and appropriate for large and small groups. It presents a relaxed setting to mingle over light refreshments.
Where can I host a networking cocktail event? Cocktail events may be hosted indoors or outdoors. Banquet space at hotels, restaurants, community 8 DAZZLE
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centers and dedicated event facilities are the more common options.
What should I consider when planning a cocktail event? Budget Decide how much you are willing to invest in your event. Consider event space rental, food and beverage and audiovisual costs. Venue Explore venues that are convenient for most persons, such as the Courtyard by Marriott in Hastings. Set up site visits with event facilities to determine their suitability. Share the objective of your event with the event’s contact to receive their best options. If you opt for an outdoor location, ask about an indoor location in the event of inclement weather. Next, request quotations from shortlisted venues. Consider sharing your budget with the event coordinators to receive the best offers and suggestions that work within your limits. Enquire
about parking and any additional benefits e.g. loyalty points such as Marriott Rewards. Finally, ask what is required to confirm the booking. Invitations Prepare invitations for your list of invitees. Remember to include an R.S.V.P date of at least one week before the event and follow up with persons who have not responded by this date. Having accurate numbers enables you to plan effectively and avoid surprises. Most hotel/event coordinators require a guarantee at least three business days before the event. You can increase these numbers within reason, but you will be unable to reduce them.
Menu Selection Cocktail events may range from one to three hours. For a one hour cocktail event, offer a selection of at least 3 different canapes, 5 – 7 pieces per person. Include at least one vegetarian option, avoid items containing nuts and pork and maintain balance in the selections, e.g. canapes should not all be fried. The bar can account for a significant portion of your budget, so consider a limited selection (beer, wine and soft drinks) or a non-alcoholic bar to reduce costs. On the day Arrive early to ensure the event has been set up as required, and to get comfortable in your space. Be sure to have business cards and any marketing material such as pop-up banners available. Greet each of your invitees warmly and engage them during the evening. Work the room, represent your brand and maximise the opportunity! After the event It is good practice to send a thank you email to persons for coming. Prioritise follow-up on any prospective opportunities. At the Courtyard by Marriott, our team of dedicated professionals is ready to assist you with any of your meeting and event requirements.
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Tracy Highland A Jill of all Trades By Leigh-Ann Worrell
T
racy Highland wanders as she speaks. Her stories take their listeners down interesting paths to reveal that even when life takes its twists and turns, there is always an opportunity to find your way back to what you love. Founder of Jill Media, a social media and public relations company which was started in 2012, Tracy’s journey includes working as a broadcast and print journalist, a violence prevention specialist, a campus DJ while she was an undergraduate at Wilberforce University in Ohio, a business manager for a global cost consulting firm, working in public relations and in retail as a manager, and owner of women’s boutiques in Barbados. But she has found her joy in knowing that the winding road led her back to her true passion: Communications. “I am not the type of person that would take one job and be happy doing one specific thing for my whole life. People tend to make you think that people who are like that are flighty, but I have come to learn that some people are just like that – multidimensional. I am like that.” she tells Dazzle Magazine on a hot Saturday morning in her breezy Christ Church home. “This particular profession is just perfect for me because I get to interact with so many different people in so many different fields and with so many different projects. I purposely take on projects that I am interested in. I don’t like to talk about success, but I think one of the reasons I have been successful at what I do is because I truly love it.”
Her work spans a range of communications with a focus on social media management and public relations for small businesses, events and entertainment, and corporate clients. Tracy’s love of stories and telling them to others was formed from the time she was much younger, ‘reading the news’ with a microphone at home. This passion ran alongside her love for helping others and finding ways to give back. “I was also interested in the sciences so my father bought me the chemistry set and the microscope and I would do field experiments at a really young age. I would set out to find the cure for AIDS and I was convinced it was in this bush that used to grow by me. I would collect samples and look at them under the microscope,” she recalls with a smile. “For a long time everyone thought I was going to go into science but I can still remember the spark I felt in primary school when I had to write the story of a raindrop. That started my love for telling and writing stories.” Tracy also comes from a family of entrepreneurs, and always knew that starting her own business would also be in her future.
take the risk even though he knew nothing about [the venture], and sometimes it would turn out really well and sometimes it would not, but it would always be an adventure. I am exactly like that. I will take on anything because I am confident in my intelligence, in my abilities and I am a very good problem solver,” she adds. After leaving Harrison College, she completed formal training in media and communications at the Barbados Community College and after a one-year stint at Starcom Network, moved to the United States to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Journalism at the first private Historically Black College/University (HBCU), Wilberforce University. Even though Wilberforce was not in a large city, and she was confronted with incidents of racism, Tracy enjoyed living and working there, and embraced any opportunity to try something new or to give back. She eventually landed a job as the Assistant Director of Public Relations at Wilberforce University when she was 22 years old. “I fell in love with PR while working in that position. It had a good pace and I loved it,” she says of the job that afforded her the opportunity to meet the late Ray Charles.
“I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and that is a more natural thing to me than a ‘9 to 5’. Both of my parents were entrepreneurs. My father was always a trader, wholesaler or selling something. My mother had a successful salon for a very long time. At the end of it all, I was always going to be an entrepreneur.” A proud daddy’s girl, Tracy admitted that her father’s tenacious spirit is very much alive in her, which manifests in her willingness to see an idea through, take risks and jump right into new pursuits.
“The university had a really good choir and he took the choir under his wing. They were invited to record with him, and when I was in the studio I got kicked out for using a camera. He didn’t allow cameras in the studio, but I am still doing my PR thing so I wanted to take pictures. I was using one of the wind-up cameras and [at one point during the session] the camera started to rewind. He was like, ‘what’s that?” she recalled laughing, “His ears were so sharp.”
“[My father] would have an idea and then in the next month he would have a store, or product or something -- he would actually be doing it. He would
Tracy settled into her life in Ohio, with plans to buy a condo in town. But one fateful day in September 2001 would cause her to pack her bags and return home.
fun facts Tracy loves Sushi so much that she’s also a boss at making it. She’s eaten alligator but won’t touch jello.
“I came to the office and Don [Perkins] (one of her bosses and mentor) told me my grandmother was trying to reach me at work. When I called her back, she said that my father had a heart attack.” Once she was able to speak to her father for herself, his request for her to return to Barbados was enough for Tracy to resign from her post, sell some of her items, pack up the others and be back home that December.
She played snare drums in cadets.
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“I felt like my father was always there for me. Like with any parent, there are ups and downs but he was always there. He was never the type to really need anything, so it shook me when he said he wanted me to come home.” Tracy got straight to work managing her father’s five boutiques, and travelled with him to buy new stock. She later got a loan and bought two of the five stores in Bridgetown. “It was something I knew how to do but in the back of my head I knew it was not my love,” she admits. “No matter how successful something is if it is not your path or passion you never feel right walking it. You don’t get that joy.” She would soon get a chance to return to PR after being given an opportunity to plan the regional launch of Rider Levett Bucknall, a global cost consulting firm. So impressed with her work, they offered her a job as business manager – a post she held from 2009 to 2012 before branching out on her own. “I resigned without knowing what was going to happen or how it would work out, [and] they ended up being one of my first clients.” Tracy chose the name Jill Media for very obvious reasons: she is definitely a Jill of all trades. “I also wanted something that was undeniably female and personal. As much as it is a company it is also very much me, so much so that some of my clients call me Jill.” From then until now, Tracy has been able to move from offering her services for free to being able to name her price and stick to it. “My business really started to grow when I stood firm on what my services were worth, and when I started to pay attention to proper time management. Instead of taking a job that would eat up my time and pay me nearly nothing, I would use the time to do courses or improve my skills.” And as long as she is able to pursue projects she is passionate about and help others grow, Tracy will continue to enjoy her work. “I was never one that felt like I need to take over the world. I measure success through my impact on things and people and my contribution to the story of this world.” 12 DAZZLE
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Gregory
Skeete Applying Engineering Principles to Life pg. 18
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DAZZLE 13
Conflict Management. Why your work environment is toxic
By Saskia Moseley
I
n life, the workplace is the main contact point where persons of varying views, thoughts and interests work together in close quarters. It is these differences among them, however, that facilitate the perfect breeding ground for conflict. Many circumstances arise where opinions clash which cause disagreements that exude tension. It may be easy to chalk up conflict as an inevitability of being human, but where the efficiency of your company is concerned, there’s more to it than this two-dimensional point of view. If your employees seem hesitant about working together, or you get the idea that they have little motivation to work, it may be because your work environment is toxic, and here’s why: 14 DAZZLE
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do more to aid. In addition, it creates a stable process that everyone can rely on. Simply establish a system where employees can report conflict, set guidelines for resolving it, and recommendations on how to avoid it in the future.
You Get It Wrong from the Hiring Process When it comes to conflict management, the hiring stage is the foundation upon which it is built. With a desk filled with mediocre CV’s, when the one with the perfect credentials finally reaches your hand, it may seem like a blessing. However, those credentials may be the tip of an iceberg waiting to sink your entire operation. Although your employees’ skills play a major part in the success of your company, so do their personalities. Conflict in the business environment bares a steep price to pay, and one of the better ways to avoid conflict is to ensure each of your employees have something in common. Instead, think about the culture of your company, and base that upon your hiring process. Once you have analysed a potential employee’s personality and values, you can then assess whether they will fit into your company’s culture. After all, skills can be taught; personality cannot.
You Avoid the Conflict Anyway You Can It is important as the leader of your business to be on the front line for conflict management. It may seem more resourceful to ignore whatever tension you feel in the workplace, and use the energy instead to focus on business-related work. However, if employees do not go through the proper channels to diffuse their conflict, time will only allow it to fester. It may even spread to the employees’ perception of management because the persons they should be able to depend on are too busy hiding in their workspaces.
You Aren’t Empathetic Enough
There Aren’t Any Guidelines on How to Handle Conflict This may seem like a foreign concept only utilised by large businesses but its usefulness is guaranteed across the board. We may think employees can defuse their conflicts on their own but management can certainly
On the other hand, if you do take charge and deal with the conflict as it appears, it is important to be empathetic. Your employee may feel understood and less angered knowing that the boss is listening and empathising with the problem at hand. It is not a matter of agreeing with the person, but it is one of understanding perspective. Also, pay attention to the body language of your employees. Confrontations may not arise under your watchful eye, but analysing how certain persons interact with others can shine light on a problem.
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5 ways for Small Businesses to use the Internet to increase revenue By Shannon Clarke
A
ccording to WEF E-Government surveys, there are still low levels of internet usage in the conducting of business in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. Fortunately, this is changing and many businesses have begun adopting the use of social media in order to promote their products and services to consumers. However, there are many more useful tools which businesses can utilise with little to no setup time. Here are five DIY tips for leveraging free/low-cost internet solutions to improve your business’ profitability which can be combined with your social media marketing strategy:
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1. Accept online orders & sales Examples: Facebook Page, Magento, Google Forms Did you know that you can allow users to make orders for your products directly from your Facebook page? Either by adding a separate tab or a special message button, you can begin accepting orders today.
Whether you offer a product or service, accepting online orders will be convenient to both you and your customers since it reduces the time and energy for customers to learn about your service, and for you to learn about their requirements. Even if you are unable to accept their credit cards at this moment, you can always resort to cash-on-delivery.
2. Automated Invoicing & Receipts Examples: Zipbooks.com, Waveapps.com, Quickbooks.com Typically, we have to rely on repeatedly calling and emailing customers to remind them that payment is due. However, there are online bookkeeping programs which offer free/low-cost solutions that include sending an email reminder to customers along with a copy of the invoice. Furthermore, some of these services can track whether the email was read and can also accept online payment. Additionally if you’re able to accept their credit card payments online, then the selected service may send a receipt to the customer immediately after payment as well as send you a notification that the bill has been paid!
using the service or product. Additionally, you can share some useful information about the product that they may not have originally recognised. You may do this on social media but I encourage you to send this to their email or through a messenger app they have installed on their devices. If you have a website then you may also automate this process by using tools such as Driftt.com, so that follow-up messages are sent a few days after purchase.
4. Reward loyal customers Examples: Google Spreadsheets It’s just as important to keep track of loyal customers as it is to keep track of daily business transactions. Whether you interact with your customers physically or virtually, you can take advantage of Google Spreadsheets to keep a log of names, number of purchases and maybe even birthdays and personal preferences. Reward them with a surprise gift or customized discount and you’ll no doubt have a customer for life. Maybe they’ll even refer friends to your business as well.
5. Accept suggestions online
3. Engage customers directly in their inbox Examples: Mailchimp, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger Stand out from the competition by proactively requesting a testimonial of customers’ experiences
Examples: Google Forms, TypeForm, WuFoo It can be difficult to take time to ask your customers for suggestions on how you can improve your service but by doing so, you will show them that you truly want to provide the best possible service to them. You can do this by sending an online form to existing and future customers which can ask them a few questions on the current service and request them to provide a suggestion on how the service can be improved. Additionally, some services will allow you to create graphs from the aggregate responses through which you can make critical business decisions.
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gregory
Skeete Applying Engineering Principles to Life By N. L. Bowen
G
regory Skeete, the multifaceted founder of Pilly Pelican Inc. and Life Engineer has achieved many feats in his youthful life. He took a career risk and transitioned from being a Mechanical and Operations Engineering professional to a CEO of two successful companies in sectors diametrically opposite to his initial career training. Life Engineer was created in 2013, and is geared towards the development of adults on a personal and professional level as well as enterprise development and process optimisation. Pilly Pelican Inc., also first established in 2013, is a children’s development and publishing company. It was created to equip children with the basic technical and life skills needed to become their best selves. The children’s books Gregory created through his ‘Pilly the Pelican’ brand have become popular among children who refer to him by his pen name ‘Engineer Greg’. As an internationally certified coach with the John Maxwell company specialising in the area of Leadership Development, Gregory has garnered many accolades both locally and internationally. His children’s book ‘A Day in the Life of Axel the Ant’, received a NIFCA ‘Bronze Award in Literary Arts’. It was the first award-winning e-book in the history of NIFCA.
Gregory’s socioeconomic contributions and leadership skills secured him a place at the inaugural Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) programme in 2016, where he later returned as an invited alumni speaker in 2017. This programme was created by former president of the United States, Barrack Obama. Additionally, he was nominated by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Barbados for the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World programme and was voted as a Top 20 global finalist!
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As a risk taker, high achiever, yet humble individual, Gregory’s future plans include establishing a non-profit organisation in order to assist the less fortunate. He has seamlessly merged his academics, initial work experience and philosophical life views to establish two successful virtually operated companies. With his companies and numerous accolades, one can therefore conclude that the glass of this author, life coach, business consultant and professional speaker is far from being ‘half-empty’.
Who is Gregory Skeete? At the core, I am an engineering professional, and I have worked in beverage manufacturing and power generation. Even in writing story books, I continue to use an engineering approach, and I apply those principles to personal and business development. I’m a Libra so I like balance, and I strongly believe in family and God. I’m a creative individual who also enjoys building things in a systematic way.
What inspired you to choose the career path of a life engineer and a children’s writer? Life Engineer was created after returning from the Netherlands in 2013. I was there for six months studying Dairy Science and Technology at Wageningen University. I realised that we often put emphasis on building physical things more than our lives and spiritual things, and that led me on a journey to help people design their lives and engineer them strategically just as I had been doing for myself. While at the university, students were motivated through conversations with me, and urged me to give a lecture. I was later asked by the International Students Organization to lecture those at the Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate level. It was my first Life Engineering lecture and individuals in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s were lining up in the hallway to shake my hand! From that moment I knew I had a gift. When I left Holland, I registered ‘Life Engineer’, my first business, without knowing much about entrepreneurship at the time! I also started writing a book (which hasn’t been released) on how to engineer your life. Later that year, while still conceptualising life engineering, I figured that if we can influence children into understanding that they have the capacity to use their education to engineer their futures, it holds a lot of potential to create a major impact while teaching myself the publishing process. As a result, Pilly Pelican Inc. was
later established. I wanted ‘Pilly’ to be that symbol of positivity and a new age of development for children, not only in Barbados but around the world while also promoting our Caribbean culture globally.
Please explain the functions of your companies. Life Engineer involves consultancy, training, capacity building and working with people and organisations of all types to increase their leadership and entrepreneurial capacity both locally and internationally. There are three core components to the company delivered either in person or online: 1. Life Engineering - Personal and professional development of individuals. 2. Enterprise Engineering - Working with organisations to streamline and improve their operations. 3. Agri-Engineering - Improving agriculture, agribusiness and food production. Pilly Pelican Inc. is the children’s development company that is the publisher of the ‘Pilly the Pelican’ brand of Caribbean children’s books in addition to delivering educational, entertaining, personal development sessions and story-telling. In 2016, Team Pilly launched a project to donate books to schools across the island while helping children to dream 50 years ahead following Barbados’ golden Anniversary of Independence. We are also preparing for the upcoming 2018 release of books which will teach children about productivity and entrepreneurship. The company will also produce merchandise, video and animated family entertainment.
In establishing your businesses, was it difficult? Yes. By no means is ‘starting from scratch’ easy, especially if you are the typical Barbadian who doesn’t have a fairy godmother/father ‘with deep pockets’. I started the businesses while working in a full-time job on a shift system, and there were times I did not sleep enough! However, I am quite organised, so when I was at work, I focused on my engineering job because there was no room for error. On my own time, I did small pieces consistently. When I made the transition and no longer received a salary, it was extremely difficult because I had sacrificed the much needed paycheque in order to have the much needed time required to continue growing myself and the businesses – Sacrifice is the price of success.
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With these two companies, how do you balance your careers with your personal life? It is challenging and is something that requires continuous monitoring and improvement. However, one of the first steps is establishing clear priorities across all aspects of life. I believe that business and career plans should serve your life plan and not vice versa. After that, I ensure that I work on the most strategically important things first and I consciously leave other lower priority tasks undone and planned for a later time.
fun facts In promoting his children’s books, ‘Engineer Greg’ has donned his Axel the Ant mascot costume in the past. Gregory enjoys playing football and going to the cinema. He enjoys comedies as well as science fiction and philosophical, thought-provoking mysteries. Lists Chicago as one of the most beautiful cities he has visited because of its intriguing architecture and diversity of culture and foods. Gregory absolutely ‘loves’ cheeseburgers! He admits that when travelling to different countries, he visits various restaurants to test the different types offered.
What advice would you give to those who seek to become entrepreneurs? • First imagine and envision what you would like for your life. As entrepreneurs, it is possible to become trapped in your own business, so make sure that what you are doing in business is also leading to what you actually want for your personal life. • Be willing to make sacrifices and operate in a ‘lean’ way. Don’t acquire loans unless it is absolutely necessary. • Be patient- some say it takes 7 years to be an overnight success! • Strive to build a team and business that can function without you. No one has ever built anything great on their own.
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Khalil &
Veroni c a A Big Beeping Impact pg. 26
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How to Keep Your Business Afloat When You Are Not! By Dawn A. Franklin
H
aving a business is like having a child; you are inseparable! That means that whatever is going on in your personal life usually has some effect on your business. This is especially true if you’re a Sole Proprietor and the C.C.B.W. (Chief Cook and Bottle Washer). So, what do you do when tribulations like sickness, debt, heartache and family issues make you feel like you’re drowning? How do you keep your business from closing when you can’t even seem to keep your own head from going under? Here are some basic principles for staying afloat in the water that you can apply to your business life:
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Stay Calm One of the most difficult things to do when you are facing severe trials is to stay calm. But there is absolutely no benefit that comes from panicking and letting your emotions reign. When you fly, they
tell you to put your oxygen mask on first and then on your child. So find your oxygen, ensure you are okay first, then look at the business. Your emotional, mental and physical health are the priority, without these it’s almost impossible to run a business anyway.
Call for Help
Tread Water or Back Float When you are out in the water with no boat in sight, you are advised to tread water or to lay afloat on your back, this depends on your abilities and the situation. In a society where others are all too willing to put in their ‘two cents’, YOU have to decide what is best for YOU and YOUR business. This is why it is critical to know your strengths, abilities and business acumen as an entrepreneur.
This is no time to be prideful and silent; only you know the severity of your situation, if things are really bad get help! There is no shame in seeking out the assistance of doctors, counselors, mentors or advisors, as we all need help sometimes and there is too much at stake. A word of caution; don’t struggle with your help, allow them to guide you and/or the business to safety.
Keep your Eyes Above
Keep Your Head above Water Do what you can! Do whatever you can each day to ensure that the business is doing at least the basics. This may mean that at this time you are not necessarily growth-focused, but maintenance-focused. Ensure that your primary clients’/customers’ needs are met and you are meeting any contractual obligations.
If you are a person of faith, this is where it kicks in big time. When you are drowning they say that focusing your eyes upward keeps your head in the right position. Same principal, keeping your eyes and thoughts focused on things above may be your saving grace, as this keeps the situation in perspective and gives you the strength to press on. The human body is naturally buoyant, and I believe that also holds true for our spirits. So my fellow entrepreneurs, you don’t have to go under and neither does your business! Stay calm, keep focused, keep your eyes above and get needed help so that you and your baby (business) will move on to victory!
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Dear Men: We Must Fight Prostate Cancer in 2018 By Saskia Moseley
Dear Men:
T
he clock is ticking, and the new year brings with it a curious and exciting journey. The New Year’s resolutions have been made, the goals have been set and now that the holiday feasts are over, health takes a priority like no other. However, for the new year, weight gain cannot be the only health concern taking precedence in our lives. Men, there is a formidable foe that waits with just as much determination as you for the new year.
Prostate Cancer It does not care who you are. It only understands that you are a man and it seeks to harm your livelihood. It is important that you equip yourselves with a
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proactive attitude to stay ahead of this threat for the year 2018 and beyond.
So, What Causes Prostate Cancer? It is debatable how exactly prostate cancer is caused, however, the correlations remain clear. The risk of this cancer continues to increase as men age. Family history also plays an integral part on how susceptible men are to it. If there are instances of prostate cancer and breast cancer in one’s family history, the risk increases. Finally, the prostate cancer situation is more significant than ever in the Barbadian context because the island reportedly has one of the highest instances of the cancer. Regardless, the fact remains that all men are at risk.
Prevention Ultimately, we want to ensure that we do not have to fight with prostate cancer, period. Although there is room for further research, doctors advise that taking the following steps towards a healthier lifestyle may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
What are the Symptoms? Signs of prostate cancer in its early stages are rare. However, in those cases, they may include; • constant urges to urinate • difficulty urinating • bloody urine • painful urination • erectile dysfunction Men with prostate cancer in its more advanced stages can show symptoms of: • pain in the spine, pelvis, femur and/or ribs • weakness in the legs • loss of bladder control
Make improvements to your diet. Replacing fatty unhealthy foods with nutritional foods like fruits and vegetables will have an overall positive effect on your health and can in turn decrease your risk of prostate cancer.
If you experience any of these worrying symptoms, do not hesitate to call or visit your doctor for a consultation. After all:
Schedule in more exercise. Exercising in general is a very healthy option. If you are overweight, work towards an optimal weight. If your weight is healthy, work hard to maintain it. Doctors note that there is some evidence which suggests men who do not exercise have higher Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels so take note and adapt.
Regular Screening is Key As the clock ticks, prostate cancer continues to grow. Treatment of the cancer goes hand in hand with early detection, therefore visiting your doctor regularly for an examination places you in a fighting position.
2018 is here but the clock continues to turn. Do not let time be your enemy by ignoring your body’s need for attention. Your health should be a consistent priority so that you can reap the rewards of your hard work in the many years to come.
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Khalil Bryan & VeroniA Bigca Mi l li n gton Beeping Impact
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he transportation-tech space in the Caribbean has a couple of new faces and they are looking to make a big beeping impression. Khalil Bryan’s background in Computer Engineering and his love for transportation laid the framework, while Veronica Millington’s mastery of Marketing and Sales propelled what is now the successful business, Caribbean Transit Solutions. While breaking the barriers that prevent the region from reaching its full potential such as startup funding and restrictive business practices, Caribbean Transit Solutions also seeks to achieve seamless transportation with its products EasyTrak, BeepBus and BeepCab. 26 DAZZLE
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In this interview, the and strengths flowed as future of transporting the where it can compete with
duo’s synchronisation they divulged their Caribbean to a place the rest of the world.
Dazzle: Tell me about Caribbean Transit Solutions and its products Khalil: Caribbean Transit Solutions’ initial goal was to provide real-time information on buses. We started with two products called EasyTrak and EasyTransit, and realised the tracking product, EasyTrak, had a lot more applications than we thought. It had huge benefits to insurance companies, private firms and governmental entities. That became the engine
that provides real-time information for what is now BeepBus. Then we looked at the market and saw there was also an opportunity in the taxi arena. Providing information on both would put us in a better position to grow our company and be investable. As the company grew and evolved, BeepCab took more prominence, given the rise of taxi-booking applications. We launched BeepCab in May of 2015 which is when Veronica came on board. She whole-heartedly pushed the product and since then we’ve done a crowd-funding campaign to bring BeepBus (June 2017) into prominence. I would be remiss if I didn’t speak about EasyTrak which is our fleet management company. With this strength of our team, device and platform we are operating regionally with that product in St. Lucia, Barbados and Trinidad. Dazzle: Do you look at the emergence of Uber as a serious challenge? Veronica: Rather than looking at it as a challenge, the opportunity with Uber’s potential introduction validates that we’re solving the right problem by launching BeepCab. The other significant piece is that currently companies can’t legally operate with Uber’s model in Barbados (or the English-speaking region), that is, private individuals using their private cars to offer rides - given the legislative structure and insurance restrictions in place locally. So for Uber to operate that would have to change. If it changes for the goose it has to change for the gander. We are a Caribbean-based company built for us, by us, so we would like to think there would be some preference and support for a project like ours. If Uber is able to engage at the highest levels, then we are also looking forward to having those same opportunities. Finally, we are not Uber and we are not trying to be. We implemented features in our product at the very beginning that Uber later learnt lessons from in order to operate effectively in the developing world. For instance, the credit card penetration rate is significantly lower in the region (and in developing countries) than it is internationally. Therefore, if we wanted to compete in the local market we have to make sure we allowed payment by cash. Uber after a year or so did that in West Africa. We also believe that we have thought carefully about building in key features to meet the needs and the unique demands of tourists and locals. In many ways, visitors’ behaviour while on holiday differs significantly from when they are home; even in the way they want to book and engage with taxis.
fun facts I can mix a mean cocktail! I am happiest at the beach with family. I adore making and consuming dessert. I don’t know which one I love to do more.
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Dazzle: What was the hardest part about developing your business? Khalil: There have been a number of challenges personal and professional - however in the professional sphere many of the agencies that say “we do these things to help young companies grow,” it would be great if the reality matched the marketing. Our bank, First Citizens has been helpful. I can point to a number of times where they have helped us through difficult periods. The Caribbean Export Group which helps to promote entrepreneurship has also been good to us and a number of other entrepreneurial companies. They put money into our company through a grant called the ‘Investment Readiness Grant’ which is $25,000 USD and another grant called the ‘Co-Investment Grant’ accessible up to $75,000 USD. Dazzle: Do you think that innovation is frowned upon in Barbados? Khalil: Caribbean people are quick adopters in some segments, but in other areas adopt technologies in a much more traditional way. We do see adoption of high engagement apps like Instagram and Snapchat, and would like to see more lifestyle beneficial apps adopted at the same pace. At a governmental and policy level there are a number of challenges as many of the structures and policies are about two decades behind where they need to be. Veronica: That’s where the ecosystem comes in and where the challenge lies. It’s making sure that it has all the pieces: the support, the enablers, the funding, solid and experienced mentorship and other key resources. Dazzle: What’s the proudest you’ve felt for the business? Khalil: When Sagicor launched a product called DrivePal with us in June of 2015. It was really getting your product into the market and working with a partner.
fun facts
I love kite-surfing and taking 15-20 mins to pause and reflect daily. I am very close to my immediate family and I love my dogs. My favourite meal is bacon.
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Veronica: TechCrunch was definitely a high. We went to San Francisco in September of 2017 to represent our company and country, and showed the tech world this is what the Caribbean is doing. We had the pleasure of representing our country at different events before, but I would say TechCrunch was probably the crème de la crème. Dazzle: Do you have anything coming up for the business? Veronica: Look out for the newer version of our zBeepBus application. The first phase of execution is
a test route and showing live buses on the system. People would be able to see how close the bus is and make informed decisions about where they go and what they do with their time. We’re also doing some redevelopment on BeepCab as well - go LIKE (Facebook, IG, Twitter), subscribe and share on all of our channels to stay up to date with Beep news. Khalil: We’re also pretty excited to be working with major industry partners and a major conglomerate to enhance their offering. If we can be a part of making this Caribbean a modern one to compete with the rest of the world then our job is closer to being done. Dazzle: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers? Khalil: Solving Caribbean transit problems has been a passion of our team. We’re now in a place where we can take our products to where they should be operating and it’s because of our Caribbean people that we will succeed. We certainly deserve the best as a Caribbean people because we provide a lot of value to the rest of the world and we need to continue to grow that value. To an entrepreneur, I would say to focus on solving big problems. When I was in school, one of the lecturers used to tell me to find “gushing pipe problems”. The basic premise is that it is easier as a plumber to sell pipe repair services to someone whose pipe is broken and gushing than it is to sell smart metering systems. There are a lot of gushing pipe problems in Barbados and the Caribbean. Not everybody has the financial backing or the structure to change things at their
immediate disposal, but find somebody that can help you get there, leverage each other’s strengths and go! Veronica: Surround yourself with as much positivity as possible and be a part of the entrepreneurship culture. Don’t limit your networks to Barbados or the region. Work with other entrepreneurs, broaden your scope and keep learning. I find a lot of entrepreneurs stay in their corner. We are very protective of our ideas, but there is no such thing as original thought. It’s not necessarily about who does it first but who does it best. Don’t be afraid to partner. Sometimes we should consider which piece of the pie we want to fight for do you want to be a small part of a multi-billion dollar corporation or be a huge part of a fifty dollar corporation? Dazzle: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Veronica: On a beach [laughs] Khalil: [laughs] Literally - we want to have our business operating on a beach - transportation around the island and between the islands from our beaches (or easy points of entry)! But that aside, we see Caribbean Transit Solutions as a company that allows mobility, inter-island and intra-island transport. We want to be able to solve problems not only in transportation but all problems in mobility. I want us to have the ability to work in one place and live in another, and to move between our Caribbean neighbours seamlessly.
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How to Handle the Haters By Sacha Austin
U
rban Dictionary defines a hater as, “A person that simply cannot be happy for another person’s success. So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person.” Haters have always existed. Today, social media, comment sections and the internet in general, gives haters a voice they never had before. It has become so easy to tear someone down – whether or not they deserve it. The idea of being hated on – especially publicly – freaks a lot of people out. It paralyzes them from releasing their work and being vulnerable; a necessary step on the path to success. They anticipate the rush of criticism before it comes. In order to grow, develop and simply make your name, you will have to
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encounter feedback – both good and bad. You’ve got to have thick skin. What I have learned is once you’re doing quality work and consistently developing your product, the good typically outweighs the bad. But let’s be honest, there will be bad and it most certainly leaves a scar. Here are a few thoughts on how to handle the haters.
Know the difference between hate and criticism. I originally understood the idea of a ‘hater’ from Jon Acuff’s book, Start. Jon explained the difference between someone who is being a hater and someone who is genuinely giving criticism. Here’s the difference:
• A hater’s goal is to tear you down. Critics seeks to make you or your product better. • Haters love to comment about you publicly. Critics communicate with you privately. • Haters tend to rant and speak very generally. Critics laser focus on the problem and try to offer solutions. • Haters see everything from their point of view. Critics put themselves in your shoes. I could go on but I think you get the point. Not all negative feedback is hate. Sometimes people come to you with genuine feedback which you may not want to hear but you need to hear. Be discerning. Learn to understand the difference between feedback which is meant for your benefit and feedback which is just garbage.
channel or anything else. Some want to run and hide. Some want to fight back immediately – which leads to very stupid Kanye-Wiz Twitter wars (completely unnecessary). First things first, do not engage immediately. Give yourself time to cool off. Decide what your restrictions are when it comes to negative feedback. Do you delete all comments which are negative or only ones with abusive language and slander? Set your limits and follow through on them. Once you’ve cooled off, decide if to respond and how to respond. You may want to send them a separate email. Always take the high road. Thank them for their feedback and keep it short; don’t spend a lot of time defending your position and trying to justify yourself. In some cases, haters really go over the top and their comments aren’t worth the response. Delete. Ignore. Move on.
Develop your self-awareness Self-awareness is about knowing your strengths and your weaknesses. Leverage your strengths and develop your weaknesses. Most people have not a clue what their weaknesses are. I hear it repeatedly. When I ask the pointed question, “what would you consider your greatest weakness?” I get a blank stare like, I never thought about that before. What does this have to do with haters? You might be repeatedly getting feedback in a hateful way but there may be some truth in there that you need to be aware of. I’m picking my words very carefully because I do not want you to indulge in hateful comments. Be self-aware enough to recognize your weaknesses and develop them.
Know when to respond. And when not to respond. Everyone has a different response when they get a hateful comment on their blog post, YouTube
Be you – unapologetically, relentlessly, and authentically. A lot of haters bring their own issues into their comments. They’re miserable. They’re insecure about who they are or what they look like. They have no friends. They don’t have the courage to start their own business. Most of the time, they’re tearing you down because you reflect the unhappiness they have within themselves. They’re trying to pull you back down to their level. It’s sad, I know; but its life. Continue to be you. That’s what your fans love you for. Do not lose your identity replying and reshaping yourself to suit each and every comment.
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//Feature
amal J Hall Creating Bajan Food with a Twist pg. 36
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Better Light, Better Productivity
Barracks Hill No.1, Vauxhall, Christ Church, Barbados
DAZZLE 33 Tel:www.dazzlebarbados.com 246-271-7515 /LedIlluminationsInc
Turning a hobby into a Business By Saskia Moseley
F
rom artistic pursuits like photography, to the disciplined recreation of fitness, we all have guilty pleasures we indulge in to pass the time. The idea has probably crossed your mind to forget the stresses of everyday life and conquer the world by storm with your passion. However, the frightening thoughts come right after. ‘Can I turn my hobby into a business? If so, will people want it? More importantly, will it be lucrative?’ If your mind has wondered in these areas of uncertainty, these guidelines coupled with a moment of self-reflection can provide insight into a meaningful decision. As the old saying goes, “a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step” and reading this article will surely get your feet on the ground.
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Your hobby becomes your job When we think of our passions, our minds inflate with positive, stress-free moments we use to get away from the pressures of reality. However, when you choose to transform your hobby into a business, you are pulling
that hobby into that very reality. Regardless of what you love, creating a business is hard work. Indulging in your hobby for the demands of other people can take away that intimate feeling you have for it. You might love baking cheesecake when you feel the desire to make one, but mass producing twenty cheesecakes within a constricting deadline might be another story. If you are okay with that, then you are ready to think about the business itself.
Make sure it’s worth it It’s important to understand that just because you love it does not mean it can be transformed into a business. Market research is the crux of any business success story so ensure all biases are left at the door during your evaluation. Figure out what you are specifically offering, who your competitors are, what makes your product or service so different and most importantly, if anyone even wants it in the first place. You want to make sure that the time and money you invest in this new endeavour will be worth it and more.
Plan, plan, plan Yes, we get it. You’re a master of your craft. But now it’s less about the expertise, and more about the business framework. It is important to spend as much time as possible on this specific area. Devise a professional business plan that acts as a guide to every move you make. Establish your goals to keep you on track. You have been handling your hobby very casually up until this point, but continue to do so and your business will crash before it can even lift-off.
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Jamal Hall
Creating Bajan Food with a Twist By N. L. Bowen
J
amal Hall is the easy going but determined co-owner and CEO of BAR Cutters, a mobile eatery in Barbados. He took a career risk by leaving his ‘safe government job’ as an Assistant Information Officer to work full-time in the uncertain and competitive food services business. BAR Cutters was established in 2013, and was first located in a rum shop owned by the father of Jamal’s business partner, Keisha Turney. What started as a business solely selling ham cutters is now a locally recognised eatery stationed in Rockley, providing delectable Barbadian inspired foods. Jamal, who describes himself as a ‘crazy creative’, admits to experiencing various challenges throughout his journey. These range from equipment failures, one trailer mishap too many and the reality of lacking experience in the food services business. Beyond his participation as a teenager in a 6-week culinary course conducted by renowned Barbadian chef, Peter Edey, he has no extensive culinary experience. However, Jamal’s determined and strong-willed nature enabled him to persevere, thus transforming BAR Cutters into a household name in Barbados. His eatery further established its presence at the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, and its customers include locals, visitors and celebrities such as entertainer Edwin Yearwood. 36 DAZZLE
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The Nation Newspaper, also adjudged BAR Cutters the winner of its BIM’s Best competition, for making the best cutters in Barbados! Jamal is realistic with his goals, and there are plans for the expansion of his business’ services. With a ‘go getter’ spirit, along with cooperation from his co-owner and dedicated staff, Jamal’s BAR Cutters is set to become a force to be reckoned with in the Barbadian culinary landscape.
What inspired you to establish BAR Cutters, and why was the name chosen? I am one of the founding partners of BAR Cutters and created it with my partner Keisha Turney. BAR Cutters started in a rum shop owned by Keisha’s father as a part-time job because we wanted some ‘money on the side’. We first sold ham cutters, but they weren’t making enough money. We then saw an opportunity to become creative with food, so we created foods such as loaded fries, fisham cakes, then lamb burgers with
cranberry coleslaw, and that’s when the business started ‘exploding’. We carved out a name for ourselves, where ‘Bajan foodies’ had a different choice instead of rice and peas. I worked in government as an Assistant Information Officer and as time went by, BAR Cutters took up a lot of my time. Also, due to circumstances at work, I decided to leave. Since we were in a rum shop at the time, options were either Rum Shop Cutters or BAR Cutters. I chose BAR Cutters and decided to make it an acronym. I say that it means Bajan All Round, however it is Big As ….
How did your family/ friends react when you notified them about your business venture? It was really when I notified my parents about leaving my government job… they were not pleased and told me that I was making a huge mistake. My former co-workers also saw it as ‘doom and gloom’. I’m from a family of teachers and my father tried to persuade me to work in both jobs.
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However, when my parents realised that the business was generating positive results, they were supportive. They even promoted it to their friends!
Were there any challenges in operating the business? There were many challenges. The main challenge was running a business that was once my ‘side hustle’ like a full-time business, so it was intimidating. When BAR Cutters was located in Dunlow Lane, customers had difficulties finding the business, and there was a stigma attached because of its location. Also, the day I left my previous job, I expected the locally built trailer I ordered to be completed, but unfortunately, it was not finished until three months after the deadline! I got anxiety attacks and headaches, and was also bearing in mind the negativity from my parents. Two weeks after finally receiving the trailer, it got into an accident, and the passenger in the car involved had to be cut out with the ‘Jaws of Life’! The trailer and my vehicle were badly damaged, but although Keisha and I were devastated, I managed to work at an all-inclusive fete the next day. With assistance from a friend, I was able to rent tables and food boxes. These experiences build strength and character.
Since there are various eateries in Barbados, what makes BAR Cutters unique? Our menu sets us apart, and although we serve Bajan food, it is done with a twist. For example, coconut eclipse chicken and strictly black belly sheep for our lamb burgers. We use rum sauce, which also is our own specially created sauce. It honours the rum shop and Barbados, which is the creator of rum.
What advice would you give to those who want to establish a food business? • ‘Just do it’. Don’t waste time because you can’t plan for everything. • Know that you would make mistakes, but learn from them. • Be realistic with your goals, and take ‘baby steps’. • With regards to the operations of the business, give staff a realistic picture of the business’ performance. • Be willing to do the extra work to make the business successful.
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fun facts Jamal once worked as a graphic designer and photographer. As a self-described ‘foodie’ Jamal has eaten snails, and while on a cruise, he ate frogs’ legs! When the BAR Cutters trailer was on tow after breaking down one evening, Jamal mounted the trailer with a stick, to ensure that its vent did not become entangled in power lines! This scene was caught on camera. On a visit to Las Vegas with friends, Jamal admits to having an experience similar to the movie ‘Hangover’. He went missing and woke up in a hospital !!!
ADV E RT I S E WI TH US To advertise in The Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone 246.234.8140 or email info@dazzlebarbados.com for more information.
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Ozone’s Mi-Fi device I
n a world where success hinges on information, having no access to the internet is a crippling decision to make. How can a business owner possibly stay abreast in this fast-paced, ever-changing environment without an internet connection for hours at a time? If this is you, your business may be hanging by a loose thread.
However, fear not because Ozone understands. Their new Mi-Fi device is a phenomenal touch to the technology world that seeks to solve your problem. It acts like a hot-spot which allows you to effortlessly connect your phone, tablet, computer and anything in between to gain access to data - anywhere at any time. It is portable, easy to use and more importantly, effective at what it does. Whether it’s to send a quick email or to stream a video, the Mi-Fi device will be a handy side-kickpropelling you and your business to higher heights. What you choose to do with the Mi-Fi device is as boundless as using the internet at home. YouTube videos stream with great quality, and videos and pictures are downloaded and uploaded quickly. Skype calls run smoothly without audio or visual lags so should you need to make online business calls or casual ones with friends, Ozone makes sure you
get the best service. It also boasts a pretty decent connection distance of twenty feet before the link weakens. What’s even better is that connecting multiple devices slows nothing down. However way you decide to work the Mi-Fi device, you certainly get your money’s worth.
Finally, the design of this palm-fitting device is nothing short of sleek. With an LCD display outlining the amount of data consumed, how many persons are using it and the battery life, it looks and feels modern. Its orange and white exterior is indeed stylish, but hopefully in the future there will be more variety to suit different tastes.
What’s more, the device can run for hours on end without a charge. Battery life may vary based on how it is used, but the overall performance is great. The Mi-Fi device may take a while to charge, but plugging it in overnight should do the trick by the time you’re up and in need of it again.
Constant access to internet is a pre-requisite to keeping up and exceeding competition in the market. Without it, we reduce our limitless technologies to mere curious contraptions. Undoubtedly, the Mi-Fi device is a snag. Let Ozone transform your potential into action by ordering yours today.
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ingredients
1 cup cooked sliced Calabaza Squash 3 cups all-purpose flour 3 heaping tablespoons light brown sugar 2 tbsp. instant yeast 1 tbsp. vegan margarine 1 tsp. pink or sea salt
method
Cook the squash in 1 ½ cups water until tender. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Cool for 15 minutes. To make the dough, combine the flour, squash, sugar, yeast, margarine, and salt in a large bowl. If the dough is too dry, add a little room-temperature water until it comes together. Knead until dough is elastic. To make the filling, melt the guava paste in a small saucepan with the reserved cooking water over medium heat and set aside. To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla essence in a medium bowl. Add the salt, stir to combine, and set aside. Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Line a Recipe by: Caribbean Vegan by: Taymer Mason
½ cup chopped guava paste 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon 8 ounces vegan cream cheese 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla essence or extract Pinch of pink or sea salt
baking sheet with parchment paper. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and remove the air by punching it down. Roll the dough into a rectangle. Cover the surface of the dough evenly with the guava paste and sprinkle with cinnammon. Using the shorter edge as the starting point, roll the dough away from you to form a log. Pinch the edge of the dough to seal well. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 8 equal pieces and place them cut side up in the prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes, reduce the heat to 350˚F (180˚C), and bake until golden brown. Spread the cream cheese frosting on the warm rolls while in the pan, and serve. Photo by : Matthew Benson
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see more pictures on www.dazzlebarbados.com & facebook.com/dazzlebarbados
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