facebook.com/dazzlethemag
The WAZE app is Here! Shoe Rehab Helps You Walk with Flair and Style
Mandisa Morrison Your Nail Shape Vocabulary
Issue 15
Rise of a Music Maestro: Nothing and No One Can Keep Him Down
Aimran Simmons
Presenting ‘Belle Portwe’ – Anything Else will just be a PICTURE
Daniel Marcion
Entrepreneurship… Ready, Set, Go?
Try me!
Moto 360 – the Perfect Fashion Statement
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Presenting ‘Belle Portwe’ – Anything Else will just be a PICTURE
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from the publisher
W
e often hear or read about how entrepreneurship can help to boost the development of Saint Lucia’s economy. The significance of this statement is borne out by the reality that current statistics show that the island currently has an overall unemployment rate of 25% and a youth unemployment rate above 40%. Many people have lost their jobs over the past two years, and quite a number of them have turned to self-employment and entrepreneurship to survive. As you are aware, Dazzle Magazine has been a strong promoter of entrepreneurship, and we will continue steadfastly to inspire the nation, especially the youths, to consider starting their own businesses. For those of you who may not be clear what entrepreneurship is all about, briefly this is what it entails; an entrepreneur is one who starts up and operates a business venture offering products and services to the general public. He/she must be willing to take financial risks in order to pursue their goals. They must be driven by their passion and a determination to succeed. As an entrepreneur, you can also create employment opportunities for others, who can then work along with you and help bring your dream to fruition. One of the main strengths of entrepreneurship is the ability to implement social change through innovation. An entrepreneur can help to change the business landscape by introducing new and innovative – sometimes revolutionary – products and services that change the way business is done, or even change consumption patterns. Businesses that are powered by a strong spirit of entrepreneurship can help to revitalize a country by filling a void in the economy. Dazzle Magazine is extremely proud of the entrepreneurs whom we have featured over the past year. We look forward to putting the spotlight on a new breed of business owners in 2016. If you know of someone who you think would be a great Dazzle Magazine feature, please feel free to contact me at rankin.morgan@dazzlethemag.com with your suggestions. With that said, I hope issue 15 captivates and inspires you. I would like to wish our readers, contributors and advertisers a safe and Happy Holiday and all the best for the New Year. Please feel free to “Like” or leave feedback on our Facebook page (fb.com/dazzlethemag) Rankin Morgan Publisher/Managing Editor
Dazzle Magazine is a new and dynamic Saint Lucian bi-monthly publication that provides much-needed exposure to young professionals and 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. Dazzle Magazine is designed to appeal to a diverse range of readers but is especially targeted at working professionals and business owners between the ages of 21-50 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 marketplace of actively engaged consumers who are ready to buy, all at an affordable price. To advertise in Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone (758) 452 0123 or email advertising@dazzlethemag.com for more information and terms and conditions.
table of
contents Features
16. Mandisa Morrison - Shoe Rehab Helps You Walk with Flair and Style 26. Daniel Marcion - Presenting ‘Belle Portwe’ – Anything Else Will Just Be a PICTURE 34. Aimran Simmons - Rise of a Music Maestro: Nothing and No One Can Keep Him Down
The 411
14. The WAZE app is Here!
Professional Progress
24. Entrepreneurship…Ready, Set, Go?
Mastering Marketing
22. Personal Branding 101
Health & Fitness 10. Pomegranate
Publisher Rankin Morgan Editor Tony Williams Sales & Marketing Alana M.I Morgan Art Director Aldrin Henry Contributors Reginald Andrew Gareth Jules Ashley Mc Lean Alana Morgan Rankin Morgan Taribba do Nascimento Leila Williams Shirin Tobie-Paul Photography Aldrin Henry Lee Hippolyte John Lunt (www.tristlucia.com)
Lifestyle
19. Your Nail Shape Vocabulary 30. How to Stand Out in a Crowded Fashion Design Market
Gadget & Gizmos
32. Moto 360 – the Perfect Fashion Statement
Eating In
Issue 15
facebook.com/dazzlethemag
Rise of a Music Maestro: Nothing and No One Can Keep Him Down
The WAZE app is Here! Shoe Rehab Helps You Walk with Flair and Style
Aimran Simmons
Mandisa Morrison Your Nail Shape Vocabulary
Daniel Marcion
38. Ginger Beer
Out & About
Entrepreneurship… Ready, Set, Go?
40. Out & About
Instagram 42. BLISS
Presenting ‘Belle Portwe’ – Anything Else will just be a PICTURE
Try me!
Moto 360 – the Perfect Fashion Statement
On the Cover Daniel Marcion
contact us
For more information visit us at www.dazzlethemag.com or call us at 758.452.0123
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Prevent heart disease: Pomegranates are loaded with polyphenols that have powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants prevent free radical damage of the walls of arteries, thus preventing heart disease. They also prevent oxidation of cholesterol, which causes plaque formation and development of coronary artery disease.
Lower blood pressure: Pomegranates help lower blood pressure by preventing the activity of serum angiotensinconverting enzyme. Punicic acid is one of the main constituents of pomegranates that help lower cholesterol, triglycerides and reduce blood pressure. A study has shown that pomegranate components reduce risk factors for heart disease, in patients with diabetes and high LDL levels of the blood.
May help prevent cancer: From prostate cancer to breast cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer, pomegranates can help prevent and treat several forms of cancer. This property of the delicious fruits is also attributed to the presence of polyphenol antioxidants in them. Studies have shown that pomegranate juice can inhibit the growth of tumour cells and induce natural death in them. Certain compounds in pomegranates have an 10 DAZZLE
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anti-inflammatory ability that also contributes to its anti-cancer property.
Help digestion: To keep your digestive system healthy, you need to include fibre-rich sources in your diet. However, our busy lifestyle and personal liking for junk food have deprived us of the goodness of fibre in fruits and vegetables. Eating a pomegranate every day is a good way to add fibre to your daily diet. One pomegranate can fulfil about 45% of your daily recommended intake of fibre, which is about 20 to 35g. Also try these remedies for digestion.
Keep Alzheimer’s at bay: Imagine being stuck on a road having forgotten where you live? If you wouldn’t want it to happen to you for real, pomegranates should form a part of your daily diet. Researchers suggest that pomegranates play an important role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. A study conducted by Hartman and colleagues showed that pomegranate juice reduces the deposition and accumulation of amyloid in the hippocampus region of the brain by 50%, which could be considered for Alzheimer’s disease improvement.
Specialising in the following services: Human Resource Structure Design & Support Recruitment & Selection Training & Development Performance Management Support Business Restructuring Payroll Administration Benefits Administration Human Resource Consultancy & Projects Post Termination Support Services & more . . . Evergreen Plaza, Rodney Heights, Gros Islet 758.458.4001 | 758.484.1671 info@hrwiseinc.com www.hrwiseinc.com www.dazzlethemag.com DAZZLE 11
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Shoe Rehab Helps You Walk with Flair and Style pg. 16
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Do what you love... Enjoy Life!
Break The Cycle facebook.com/brydenandpartners
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DAZZLE 13
The WAZE app is Here! by Rankin Morgan
H
ave you ever wished that Saint Lucia had a traffic monitoring system? A system that could notify you of traffic conditions island-wide, so that you could use an alternative route to reach your destination when traffic is heavy or there has been an accident on your route. Well, wish no more, the WAZE app is here.
What is WAZE, you may ask? WAZE is the largest community-based navigation and traffic app. It is controlled and updated by drivers like you who voluntarily work together to beat the traffic. App users can notify each other when and where there’s a traffic jam, its intensity, and whether there are accidents or other hazards on the road.
WAZE gathers real-time information from its users and uses Google Maps technology. Users can report various incidents on the route they are travelling to assist other users who may be planning to use the same route. Just imagine if you live in Gros Islet and you travel to Castries every day for work. You can use the WAZE app to check the traffic conditions before you leave your home in the morning. And if you are approaching a traffic pile-up, you can check WAZE to see where the obstructions are. If you suddenly get stuck in traffic you can notify others who are travelling along the same road to take an alternative route. Users can also upload photos and descriptions of the traffic conditions to be
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more helpful to other users. This gives them a more comprehensive notification. The app can also be used as a navigation system which gives turn-by-turn directions. It is rated as one of the best navigation tools on the market. However, due
along the same one you are using. All in all, WAZE makes it easy for you to beat and outsmart the traffic. Try WAZE today. It’s available for Android, iOS and Windows mobile operating systems. We would like to hear your thoughts. Please share your experience on www.dazzlethemag.com.
to Saint Lucia’s nonexistent post/zip code system, and poor Google mapping, it will not work to its full capacity. Nonetheless, with the use of the app, our local traffic system can be monitored and dealt with more effectively. As with many popular apps, you can connect to Facebook to see which of your friends are on WAZE and communicate with them directly for updates if you notice they are on your route or intend to travel
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DAZZLE 15
Shoe Rehab Helps You Walk with Flair and Style By Leila Williams
S
hoe Rehab Helps You Walk with Flair and Style. Throw in passion, innovation, exquisite workmanship and shoe-repair mastery and you’ve got Shoe Rehab not your typical shoe repair company. The company is the brainchild of Mandisa Morrison who has changed the status quo for shoe repair and restoration in Saint Lucia. She spoke to Dazzle Magazine about her business ventures and the challenges she has faced as a young entrepreneur.
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Make Up Artist: Make-Up With Alli
Dazzle: Please share your story with us. Mandisa: I own and operate Shoe Rehab, a shoe repair business that was launched in June 2013. The concept for the business blossomed when I realized that there was no outlet in the north for anyone who needed shoe repairs. People used roadside repair stalls in Castries but the standard was not of the highest level. I did some market research and discovered there is a demand for a better service, so I opened my first store. Dazzle: What products and services do you currently offer? Mandisa: We offer a range of services, including sole enhancements, shoe covering, shoe stretching, and heel repairs for both gentlemen and ladies. We also offer a customized service to customers looking for the right fit from their shoes. In addition, we provide a range of products for the cleaning, conditioning and basic maintenance of footwear. We also offer Sole Tagging – a service provided exclusively by Shoe Rehab. It involves custom prints for the outer soles of your shoes, especially for ladies who want to add a little fun and drama to their shoe heels. Additionally, we can personalise by adding coloured heels. Dazzle: Where is your business located and what made you choose your current location? Mandisa: We are located at the Rodney Bay Mall. One of the things I discovered from my market research is that although there’s a high demand for shoe repair services among shoe lovers from the higher income groups in the north, they would have their shoe repairs done when they travelled overseas rather than use the services available locally. When a suitable opening became available, I immediately seized the opportunity to provide the service. I recently expanded with a second store at the Gablewoods Shopping Mall. Dazzle: What challenges do you face as a young entrepreneur? Mandisa: (Sighs) Financing is the biggest. I think that there are absolutely no outlets for young entrepreneurs in need of financing. Shoe Rehab was started using my savings. Although it has been quite a challenge, I’ve been able to stay afloat by persevering. Staffing is another challenge. We provide a niche service so the skills are not readily available. My wish is that Shoe Rehab could change the perception of the shoe repair and restoration business so that young people and the public can see this as an employment option.
Dazzle: What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learnt regarding your work? Mandisa: Believing in myself. In the past, I would go along with other people’s opinions, especially if I thought they were more experienced than me. It took a while but I have learned to trust my instincts and rely on my knowledge of the market and my customers’ needs. Dazzle: To what do you attribute your success? Mandisa: Firstly, because of my God. Every day I seek His guidance to keep me going and to spark my creativity. I couldn’t have done this alone. Shoe Rehab also benefited immensely from our sponsorship of the 2015 Miss Gros Islet Carnival Queen Pageant. Our sponsored delegate won the crown and this instantly put us in the spotlight. The brand also got positive PR when we undertook a Back-to-School charitable initiative. Also, my present team – their commitment and dedication and passion for the art keeps me steadfast in building this business. Dazzle: What is unique about Shoe Rehab and why should consumers patronise your business? Mandisa: We put an interesting spin on shoe repair and restoration. We don’t just concentrate on repairs. We get you to fall in love with your shoes all over again. We also educate our customers on selecting the most appropriate footwear. For example, we see a number of people with flat soles and fallen arches who wear shoes that make the problem worse. In such cases, we do upcycling by adjusting the inner soles of the shoes to provide more support and comfort. We’re a very modern brand with a strong focus on providing an exceptional customer experience and satisfaction to our customers. At times, we also deliver. Dazzle: What has been your most effective marketing technique? Mandisa: We link our operations to our social media platforms. We use Facebook and Instagram regularly to enlighten customers on our services and useful shoe maintenance tips. Dazzle: Where do you see Shoe Rehab in the near future? Mandisa: Our product and service offerings will be more diverse, especially with personalizing and customizing footwear. I also plan to open other outlets in different parts of St. Lucia.
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Dazzle: What advice would you give to a start-up company? Mandisa: Do your market research and have a sound, detailed business plan. Many people don’t think this is important but a business plan really is the guide and mold for your business. You also need to have a source of motivation because the voice of naysayers can be very loud at times.
fun facts Worst business advice you’ve ever received? Can’t remember – I probably didn’t listen to it. Favourite shoe style. Heels. What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning my room. What was you initial career path? Brand Manager. Pizza or fried chicken? Both
Make Up Artist: Make-Up With Alli 18 DAZZLE
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Your Nail Shape Vocabulary oval
round
squoval
square
almond
stiletto
edge
pipe
The tip of a long nail is filed into an egg shape.
Has an oval shape but with a square tip, it gives the nail tip more strength.
The nail is filed away at the sides and softly pointed at the tip.
Possible only on fake nails, it’s a 3D construction that creates an angle on the nail.
The nail grows out straight at the sides for 1.5mm and the tip is filed into a rounded shape.
The nail grows out straight and the tip is filed straight across at the right angles with the rest of the nail plate.
The nail is filed away at the sides to a point at the tip. It’s a very weak shape since the sides of the nail are totally lost.
Nail shape between square and almond: has an almond shape but with straight angles.
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DAZZLE 19
CHANNEL LETTERS 3D LETTERS BILLBOARDS VEHICLE WRAPS PYLON SIGNS LIT/ NON LIT SIGNS DIRECTORIES SEAMLESS WRAPS BANNERS BUS SHELTERS LED SIGNS DISPLAYS (PULL-UPS STANDS) FLAGS/ TABLE CLOTHS FEATHER BANNERS FE TENTS / UMBRELLAS ENGRAVING STANDIES POSTERS/ FLYERS NUMBER PLATES NAME TAGS LIT/ NON LIT FRAMES EXTRUSION FRAMES BUMPER STICKERS/ LABELS PROMOTIONAL ITEMS (PENS, PENCILS, OPENERS, MIRRORS) GRAPHIC DESIGNS
WE EXPORT (758) 453-6378 (758) 453-7260
(758) 450-2077 . exelsign@candw.lc . website:www.exelsign.com 20e-mail:exelsign@gmail.com DAZZLE www.dazzlethemag.com
P.O. Box RB2695 Marisule . Gros Islet St. Lucia, W.I.
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Presenting ‘Belle Portwe’ – Anything Else will just be a PICTURE pg. 26
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DAZZLE 21
Personal Branding 101
“W
e are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.” –Tom Peters Personal Branding is about identifying your story and then communicating what makes you unique, relevant and different. A strong, authentic personal brand helps you become known for what you’re good at, sets you apart from the competition, and can position you as a niche expert. Developing a personal brand is similar to product branding and the process includes; defining your brand, personal brand goals and then managing all aspects of your personal brand. Here are some steps to managing and enhancing your personal brand:
Defining your Brand Start by trying to define your overall aspirations: Be specific and clearly define your goals and objectives 22 DAZZLE
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through a mission and value statement. Here are some questions that may help you define this: - What do you aspire to be in the next 3-5 years? - What adjectives do you want people to associate with you and why? Personal branding is a proactive way of controlling your career development and how you are perceived in the market place. Be sure to ask friends and mentors to help you with this by giving you honest
feedback on how you represent yourself. Some questions that may help you in this process include: - How large is the gap between the current you and the person you want others to perceive you to be? - What needs to change and why? If people remember or associate you with something that you are no longer focussed on, it is up to you to change the conversation to reflect your goals and aspirations.
Tip: Learn from people you admire, whether they are international influencers or personal mentors.
Tip: Aim to become active on at least one social media site, and manage that account well. Managing your Brand A very valuable skill is learning how to reflect your brand in everything you do, including your personal network, social media, your appearance and your volunteer activities.
Communicating your Brand Focus on ways in which you can leverage opportunities to showcase your knowledge and its value within your market. For example, volunteering your time and skills to a cause that you care about is a great way to express and communicate your skills, personality and values. Your game plan also needs to include the specific social media platforms you will use to communicate your personal brand. Each platform offers unique communication opportunities, so make sure to do your research on which platform works best for what you are trying to achieve.
Social Media is a powerful brand management tool, when utilized correctly. Every post, photo and opinion that you share is a reflection of your brand. Ask yourself this: - Are your social media posts aligned with your personal branding goals?
Tip: Look yourself up online to see what is out there, using websites such as www.brandyourself.com. Personal branding is not a defined end point - you should always look for ways to improve yourself & update your brand to reflect your positioning.
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DAZZLE 23
Entrepreneurship… Ready, Set, Go?
Y
ou did it! Your baby is born. Months, even years in the making, your business has entered the world; you are officially an ENTREPRENEUR. Business plan…check! Financing…Check! Location…Check! Staff…Check! Self Analysis...Check? Have you stopped to consider whether you are actually cut out to run a business and if your character and personality are actually suited for this journey? If there is one thing I have learnt in years of working with, counseling, observing entrepreneurs and unsuccessfully trying entrepreneurship myself, is that long-term success is very much tied to who the owner/operator is at their very core. This element is not often considered, but careful review of many successful businesses can be traced to the basic character/personality of its owner. Not everyone is cut out for this, but for some…they were born to do it! 24 DAZZLE
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THE BASICS Business ideas are as varied as individuals, but whether a service, retail or manufacturing entity, there are certain basic traits that are commonly needed for all:
Patience - There are those rare occasions when everything goes smoothly from the get go but in the vast majority of cases, it takes a while for you to establish the specific needs of your clients/customers, effectively train employees and meander through your learning curve. You need Patience. Tenacity - There will be days or situations that you encounter which require you to dig your teeth in and press on regardless. If you are one to give up at the first sign of resistance from customers/clients, competitors or society, this may not be the path for you. You need Tenacity.
Energy and Drive As with a newborn child, the physical demands at the start can be trying. There may be long hours and physical labour demands as you get established. You need Energy.
Passion
Most significantly, it is your passion for your business that will keep you going when you encounter resistance. It is your passion for your idea that will enable you to sell it with the utmost confidence and convince others that you are offering the best thing since sliced bread. You need Passion.
THE SPECIFICS Apart from these basics, you need to determine if you are the right fit for your specific concept. For example if your business is labour intensive, leadership traits will help. If your business involves direct sales and you are not good at interacting with people and can’t sell a snowcone in a desert, that may not be the venture for you. If you are NOT detailed-oriented and your business requires lots of spreadsheets and accounting, this is an issue. If you are EXTREMELY passionate about your concept but don’t possess a managerial bone in your body, this is a problem! Figure these things out. If you have done your Self-Analysis and discovered that maybe your personality and character are not aligned to run your business, all is NOT lost.
1. Don’t be afraid to work on yourself; don’t let intimidation stop you from developing those aspects of your character that need some work. If you really are determined about your idea, it may be well worth your time and dedication to invest in some Personal
Development! It’s never too late to become a better you, especially if your livelihood depends on it.
2. We were created for relationships and some of life’s journeys need human help, so seek out those partners, advisors and mentors that possess the traits that you don’t have. There are many who have to be ‘the chief cook and bottle washer’ of their business, but for those of you who can afford to do so, surround yourself with those who bring the other personality puzzle pieces to your business. This brings me to another important point. As you evaluate yourself, PLEASE do this with the others involved. Not everyone is meant to work together, so be careful who you yoke yourself to. Your business partners or top managers may have five business degrees and have worked at the top establishments in the island, but if their value system is not aligned to yours, there may be trouble on the horizon; or if you are a big picture sanguine person and your partner is a meticulous perfectionist, you need a plan to work together. There is PLENTY to consider on ‘Entrepreneur Drive’ but there are some of us that simply have to do this. There are some that are born to conceptualize, develop and run one or multiple businesses. For those of you that know without hesitation that this journey is who you are, I encourage you to carefully evaluate everything and give it your all. My advice is simple… Know your Business, Know your Associates and Know Yourself!!
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Presenting ‘Belle Portwe’ – Anything Else will just be a PICTURE
by Reginald Andrew
W
hen a young man overcomes personal heartbreak and manages to transform that bitter experience into a ‘celebration of life’ through artistic creativity, such accomplishment is a fulfilment in itself. Daniel Marcion was just perusing his architectural career when he lost his loved one, Sheena in 2010. They had been together for about 10 years. Instead of giving in to despair, he overcame his grief by channelling his energies into developing his flair for photographic art. Sheena was the one who had given him a digital camera originally given to her by her step-dad as a gift. Before she died, she had always encouraged Daniel to stay focused on life and don’t allow her personal experience to hold him back and with that he took her advice. After Sheena’s passing, Daniel “took that energy and used it to fuel me forward.” In hindsight, he turned to photographic art as a tribute to her. “Because of her, I am pushing this thing to literally get me focused … It is like a tribute to her,” says Daniel. I prayed for strength and was blessed with close friends and family who were supportive and I’m thankful to them all the time. Initially he kind of toyed with the idea as a hobby but pretty soon, according to him, “I kind of dived into it. It felt good playing around with the elements. And observing other people’s work, like Bill Mortley and Stephen Paul, spurred me on.” A former student of St. Mary’s College and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Daniel studied architectural designs at SALCC and thereafter, he worked a few years in that field before moving to New York to further his studies in photography. He
planned on settling in the Big Apple but took the advice of his tutor who convinced him that his talents could be put to better use back in his homeland. He said briefly why be a small fish in a big pond when you can be a big fish in a small pond” and those words were etched in me. Daniel was determined to be that big fish back home. Daniel grew up in Bagatelle and currently resides at Cas en Bas, Gros Islet. He is the eldest of his parents’ three children. He has a brother and a sister. “It was a good family environment for me that I really appreciate,” he says. Some of his relatives are involved in music but Daniel is the only one in his family doing professional photography. Following his return to Saint Lucia from the USA, his intention was to “create a photography brand, not a business.” Judging by the accolades he has received for his artwork and professionalism, both locally and internationally, and the volume of his work engagements, Daniel has succeeded in achieving the goals he set for himself. He’s the founder of Belle Portwe Studios, a photography and wedding studio located at the Gablewoods Mall. They specialise in commercial, fine-art, portraiture photography, and his favourite genre, wedding photography. His work is also in high demand overseas, and his clientele have included international celebrities. As much as he values the plaudits he has been receiving, Daniel especially appreciates the technical feedback he gets from friends and photographer buddies. He is part of a small group they dub the League of Photographers where they constantly motivate and inspire each other. Bill Mortley, Kirk Eliot and Stephen Paul, are veterans in the field who also serve as an
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DAZZLE 27
inspiration to him. His biggest motivation though, lies in the work of international photographers .e.g. Karl Taylor, Lindsay Adler, Sue Bryce just to name a few, whose work he truly admires especially for their high end editorial style and glamorous wedding images. Dazzle: How did you go about pursuing your dream to become a professional photographer? Marcion: My work life actually started off in architectural designs, which was what I majored in at SALCC then transited to architectural illustrations which required showcasing architectural renderings to clients so that they can see what their soon to be homes look like on their property. I had been doing this for about 15 years. At some point it materialized into photography. Three months after Sheena’s passing I booked a flight to New York where I did six-month courses in studio lighting, portraiture lighting and portraiture photography. I wanted to learn the art of pictorial story-telling and basically how to control light. Photography in Saint Lucia was not that developed at the time, and seeing what was obtained here I wanted to make a difference, in terms of the product. That led me to look at the works of international photographers, their studio operations and how they started off their business. Dazzle: How long has your business been in operation? Marcion: I started working from my parents’ home, utilizing a room to operate my studio. From the getgo I knew the genre I wanted to push was fine art and fashion. I started putting a lot of editorial flair into my work and tried to mimic magazines and editorial stuff, advertising - trying to get ideas from them. It began to pull me more into the editorial side of fashion and fine art, which was nice because fine art allowed me to capture inanimate objects and surroundings and demonstrate to the viewer that beauty is all around you. Initially everything went well and I got agencies calling. Then what happened was that my clientele started growing and became a little more corporate. I was not satisfied with working the commercial aspect from home. The setting didn’t have the professional look that I wanted, so I began looking for a commercial space. Eventually I found one at Gable Woods Mall. I shared it with a friend who operated ‘Touché Media’ and I collaborated with her and did some shots for the Touché magazine. After Touché moved on, I took the opportunity to occupy the whole space and turned it into our studio, which I’ve named Belle Portwe (Beautiful Picture). 28 DAZZLE
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The name came about because I have always loved Kwéyòl and the French language though can’t speak alot of it “ laughs”. I’ve been operating professionally for about four years and we are officially registered as a company.
Dazzle: What type of photography do you specialize in and why? Marcion: Our main focus is fine art, commercial, portraits and weddings but push Destination Wedding as our primary genre. I decided to separate it from our current website www.belleporwe.com and created its own website for our brides. We created our wedding Belle at www.itsmyweddingbelle.com. My girlfriend, Hermina Nestor is my right hand and assistant. She is like the quality controller at the studio. She helps me get stuff done, my lighting assistant and that extra pair of eyes from a woman’s perspective gives me a lot of leeway, especially with our wedding clients who really appreciate having a woman around sometimes, to get things done. Oh and she’s a model too, how lucky am I. Dazzle: What challenges do you face as a young entrepreneur and how do you overcome them? Marcion: First and foremost was getting the resources to study that aspect of photography and take it up as a career. It isn’t something you can pursue academically in Saint Lucia. I think it was still a young, up-and-coming industry down here when I started the business – at a stage where it was transforming into digital photography, graphics and software integrated with images.
fun facts What do you do in your spare time? Play video games. Favourite destination getaway? My studio…in my free time I just head down there and have fun. Most memorable experience on the job? Travelling to New York was one of the biggest experiences because it made us feel good.
I signed up to a website called creativelive.com where I purchase a lot of my workshops. Finance is the next major consideration because you won’t get a lot of people investing in your business if you’re not well equipped. Photographic equipment is very costly. I think you just have to work hard and reinvest whatever monies you make back into the business. This to me was the most difficult aspect of the business. In
addition, sometimes you get negative feedback saying that I already had a career in architectural designs, so why drop it. I just shrug, laugh and respond by saying there is nothing in someone having two careers. Dazzle: How do you remain competitive in this saturated photography market? Marcion: Social media has been a big help. It started giving me a little leeway for people to view what I do. I used to literally dump all the photos I shot onto Facebook, and you get the odd clients just inquiring. From among them you get people interested in your work and this opens a door of opportunity for you. It started to build along those lines. We try to stick to destination weddings, which is probably 95 percent of the wedding photography that we do. We don’t really do the local aspect of it. We specialize in ‘definition weddings’ and we’ve actually partnered with Sandals as wedding photographers. We also have business ties with other resorts. When the guests come to Saint Lucia they contact our studio to photograph their weddings. Eventually we started getting a lot of corporate people contacting us. Thereafter I made it my goal to tackle a corporate firm every two months. We work hard at providing a quality customer experience, rather than just taking pictures, and that has helped us a lot. Dazzle: What motivates you and gives you that thrill to keep pressing on, on a daily basis? Marcion: What drives me is experiencing the creativity of photography and all the new elements that surrounds it. I want people to see the world through my lens and seeing such amazing work especially internationally motivates and inspirers me. Photography, to me, has to do with pushing your limits and acquiring knowledge, because you are always looking to better your craft. Dazzle: So far, what has been your biggest accomplishment? Marcion: One would have to be shooting for an international wedding. The clients flew us up to New York for the shoot and that was great from the wedding aspect of it. The other part of it is that we were actually the wedding photographer for a celebrity renewal vow at Sandals, and that was a major achievement for me, since they requested that I personally do the shoot. Dazzle congratulates Daniel on his success and we wish him all the best for the future.
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DAZZLE 29
How to Stand Out in a Crowded Fashion Design Market By Taribba do Nascimento
I
n recent times, fashion design has been increasing in popularity amongst the youth of St. Lucia. It is easy to get caught up in the fun of designing and experimenting, but without the right controls and quality standards, this could prove to be detrimental to a business.
all businesses, a fashion design company needs to be profitable. Here are some key steps that an independent designer can take to create a strong foundation for the growth of their business. Many local design companies remain as start-ups for several years, despite all their efforts and receiving assistance to help them break out of the box. As a designer, it is important to remember that, as with 30 DAZZLE
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Streamline your style As a designer it is easy to get bored of making the same things over and over. However, offering too many choices to your client can create buyers’ fatigue.
As a small design company, many of which operate as a sole entity, output remains at a minimum. Therefore, keeping collections to five or six styles will ensure that there is a more optimum amount of output over a given period. Imagine debuting a lovely new maxi dress, then offering a new twist on highwaist pants two months later, before you have barely even made ten pieces for sale! It is important to allow your collection to thoroughly permeate the market, so that by the time the designer debuts a new collection, customers will be ready for the next big thing.
Stay within your area of expertise It is also important to remain within your areas of expertise. It is fun to experiment, but once again, small companies will get more bang for their buck focussing on what they do best. Don’t try to make
clothes, jewellery, shoes, bags and watches if you are a sole entity. This further confuses the customer and dilutes your brand at an early stage.
Learn to tailor your operations Lastly, learn your operations. Creating too much stock ties up your money. Try to gauge demand and make just enough to ensure a high turnover. This includes raw materials. It is important to be ‘ready’, but raw materials also tie up your cash. Buy just as much as you need and offer the client the existing choices first before purchasing new raw materials. As much as we hear “fake it til you make it”, it is important to create realistic goals for yourself. Be cautious, but not overly cautious, and always try to keep the end goal in sight.
//Feature
Rise of a Music Maestro: Nothing and no one can keep him down pg. 34
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DAZZLE 31
Moto 360 – the Perfect Fashion Statement By Alana Morgan
I
t’s Christmas and you’re in the market for a watch with a difference. With its stylish good looks, comfortable feel and overall premium build, the Moto 360 is the Android Wear watch to beat.
The Moto 360 seems to outclass most contenders in the market when it comes to its design and aesthetics, offering the same features as its rivals, including a heart rate sensor, a pedometer, wireless charging and a very cool ambient light sensor. Reviewers note that when it comes to wearables, fashion trumps function. That’s the mantra Motorola went by when it designed and developed the Moto 360, and judging by the enthusiastic response the watch received when it was unveiled earlier this year, it would seem that plenty of people agree. The Moto 360 is undoubtedly the best-looking of the three between the choices of Android Wear watches
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(the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live are the other two), with its first-class leather strap, chamfered glass and circular design.
All told, the smartwatch landscape is so new that we would recommend waiting to see if something better comes along. However, if you really must have one, the Moto 360 may be the best option right now, but it might not be relevant in just a few months. That said, if you want to jump on the Android Wear wagon now, the Moto 360 is your best bet.
Moto 360 Attributes Sized for you Men’s: 42mm case - requires a 20mm band Men’s: 46mm case - requires a 22mm band Women’s: 42mm case - requires a 16mm band Works with Android™ and iPhone‡ Battery life Men’s 42mm and Women’s 300mAh battery - Up to 1.5 days of mixed use with Ambient off. Up to a full day of mixed use with Ambient on. Wireless charging With included charging dock Ambient light sensor The screen automatically adjusts to the surrounding brightness Heart rate sensor Optical heart rate monitor (PPG) Water resistant IP67 dust and water resistant§ WiFi connectivity Stay in touch, even if your phone is beyond Bluetooth® range
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DAZZLE 33
Rise of a Music Maestro: Nothing and no one can keep him down By Gareth Jules
O
ften, when we hear a song, the first thing that comes to mind is who’s the artiste?
One must always remember that in order to create a song, there needs to be a vocalist (artiste), the writer and the producer. For the past few years our ears have been delighted by the infectious sounds from a veteran pan player. He has produced some of the biggest hits for St. Lucia’s carnival. His résumé boasts a host of impressive productions, including the Road March-winning HURT IT by JMouse, as well as MADD TING and INDIAN GIRL by Ricky T. Added to that, he was the producer behind Ricky T’s mega hit THREE PEAT back in 2011.
M
eet Aimran Simmons affectionately known as PanmanAimran of Marchand, the mastermind producer behind those hits and many more. Aimran founded Studio No Xcitement five years ago. The studio is situated at Entrepot and has welcomed the likes of Soca King Ricky T, Ambi, J Mouse, and most recently, Mongstar. We sat down with Aimran at our offices to get an insight into his rise to fame to become one of St. Lucia’s biggest and most talented musician/ music producers.
How did you get into producing music? 34 DAZZLE
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There was a point where pan was dormant for two years. There was
nothing for me to do. I was always building beats and doing stuff, so I decided to get into it.
Which producers inspire you? Everybody! I listen to 758, Leebo, Dutch, Vibez the Trinis and what they do. My style comes from me having a steel pan background.
What was the first track that you produced? ‘Ok There’ by Ricky T was the first track that I released. ‘Cyah Stop It’ by Ricky T was the first song that I ever produced.
How did that come about? I knew Ricky T from childhood. We basically grew up in Black Mallet together. He was doing well and then there was his fallout with 758. I figured that since he was no longer with them, I should see if he would come over so that I could do a song for him. He was very receptive and excited about it. The song was written to highlight what he was going through with his former production house at the time. He really wanted to go down that road. He was very impressed with the structure of the song itself. That was back in 2010.
Did you win any titles with ‘Cyah Stop It’? We won Caribbean Soca Monarch that year. The following year we released ‘Mad Ting,’ which won the road march and the Power Soca title. In the Groovy category, we had ‘Indian Girl,’ which won the title for that category. As a new producer, it was a great feeling. It made me feel like there was so much more to accomplish. It made me believe in myself more.
Did you continue to produce more after those three titles? The following year I produced for Ricky T again. We released ‘Everything’ for Power Soca. He placed third that year. We also had a song called ‘What’s Causing That’ and ‘Madness’.
Tell us more about your steel pan background. I started back in 1994 when I joined the Diamond Steel Pan Orchestra. I moved up the ranks from being just a stage-side player (playing with 11 guys at hotels etc.) to becoming the musical director. As the musical director, I was responsible for all arrangements. I was a part of the orchestra for over 17 years. In 2009 and
2010 there was no Panorama. That is when I decided to do something else, which was soca production. Pan will always have my heart. Pan comes first. It puts the food on my table. Soca is a hobby. It is something that I do when I feel like it.
Tell us about the other artistes whose music you’ve produced. Normally, what I would do is choose an artiste and invest everything into them. Ricky T and I had that going from 2010 to 2012. We decided to part ways in 2013. I took a break. I didn’t do any music. In 2014 I came back stronger than ever with Ambi. We had a pretty good year, placing second in both the Groovy and Power Soca Monarch categories. That year I also won the road march title with J Mouse for the song ‘Hurt It.’
fun facts Number one support My Kids Favourite hang out spot Thirsty Thursdays at Diamond Steel Pan Yard Most commonly used phrase Ya understand What CD are you currently listening to? ‘In The Lonely Hour’ by Sam Smith Power or Groovy Soca Power
Who is your main source of business inspiration? In steel pan, I look up to Allison Marquis and other Trinidadians such as Boogsie Sharpe, Jit Samaroo and Clive Bradley. Those are the guys who inspire me as a musical arranger for steel pan. When it comes to soca, everybody inspires me. I respect all the Producers work, whether it is 758, Leebo, Vibez or Dutch. I listen and I always try to do better than what they do.
What is your biggest challenge in the music business? I think my biggest challenge is dealing with artistes, and honesty in terms of our arrangements and being rightfully compensated for all the hard work that it takes to be a producer. www.dazzlethemag.com DAZZLE 35
I do the music but I’m really trying to get good at mixing and mastering. That is where my focus is now, so that I can become better at it.
You’ve won all those titles but what is your biggest achievement thus far? For pan, being able to dominate the scene as an arranger, and being able to win titles back to back. Also, being out for a year, and coming back and winning the Panorama title just to prove that it was not a fluke, it’s really my talent; and that I can win the Panorama title without hesitation. As a young arranger, a lot of people doubted my ability to win the title. I proved them wrong. It was a tough period when the owner and arranger of Diamond Steel passed on the Baton. My first two years at the senior level, I lost. I was under a lot of pressure, with people saying that the owner needs to come back and do the music because he gave a little boy to do it, and now the band is losing. Winning the senior Panorama title for the first time in 2005, when everybody thought I couldn’t do it, is my biggest achievement. For soca, it would have to be in 2011 when I was new to the game, not knowing anything about it, and having the most popular artiste, Ricky T in my corner achieving a three-peat in that year. Just being so young and fresh in the business and beating all the big names who were dominating the industry was really the highlight of my soca career.
Who taught you how to arrange music? Nobody taught me how to arrange. I started arranging by listening and being inspired by other arrangers and what they do. It’s a thing where you have to use what’s inside of you. You cannot really sit with someone and have them tell you what to do. It’s more or less being involved in it and then getting an understanding of what it means to put on an arrangement for Panorama. In that way you can move forward and do it yourself. It is practical. Being able to arrange a verse and chorus of a single song is a start. Then, you can take it from there when you understand the criteria for Panorama.
What advice would you give to upcoming pan players and producers who probably never tried it before? To steel pan players I would say believe in yourself. If you believe you can do it, you can do it. Get more involved in steel pan. Take a trip to Trinidad if you 36 DAZZLE
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can and get major experience. Play with the big bands and get a feel of what it’s like to play with 120 players in one band. Put yourself out there to gain the experience. It will not all happen in St. Lucia. You need to get the experience where it is happening on a bigger scale. Practice a lot. Don’t give up.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Having a better studio, doing more music and grooming young and upcoming artistes so that they can develop soca music in St. Lucia.
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ingredients 1 Lb Green Ginger 10 Cups Cold Water 1 Lime 2 Sticks Clove
method Wash, peel and grate ginger Peel and juice lime, keep the peel. Mix ginger, water, cloves, lime juice and lime skin. Pour this mixture into clean bottles and leave to ferment for about one day, preferably in the sun. Strain the ginger beer and sweeten to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
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see more pictures on www.dazzlethemag.com & facebook.com/dazzlethemag
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From Humble Beginnings to Stardom
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