facebook.com/dazzlethemag
Eddison Layne
Vegan Cuisine with a Flavourful Impact
Issue 32
Maria Jackson
Rich in Cocoa
Ride Out with Brand New Motorcycles from Courts
Desmond Auguste is Ransum Records
Davina Lee Making the most of Creativity
Try me!
iOS 14 Pros, Cons & New Features
from the publisher
T
his year started out as the “Year of Vision” and we all started off with great expectations. This has turned out not to be the case. In fact, 2020 has been the ultimate test. Despite the covid-19 pandemic which has been unprecedented, we as a people have been tried and tested being forced to adapt to the new normal. Globally, economic activity was brought to a near standstill, many businesses have suffered immensely. Unemployment has been increasing steadily, and, because of the uncertainty and fear of the unknown, this has greatly impacted the mental health of many. Despite this uncertainty, we’ve observed new startups and the digital transformation of businesses. People have become more entrepreneurial too, in order to make ends meet due to job loss or the reduction of working hours. They’ve been able to use their skills and initiative to fill a void that has arisen in society, bringing fresh ideas to market. Dazzle Magazine too has adapted to the new normal and has now gone fully digital in order to survive. Luckily for us, we’ve had already anticipated this change, hence the magazine has been available online from its inception. With all that said, we at Dazzle Magazine would like to encourage entrepreneurs to continue to innovate and stay focused. We urge you to take advantage of all the opportunity that continues to arise in this time, don’t be complacent and stay humble. In this issue, we feature four amazing people who turned their passion into a career and they are a testament that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. As always, I hope this issue Dazzle Magazine satisfies your reading appetite and that you will be inspired our features. Log on to our website for more inspiring stories and subscribe to Dazzle Magazine on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Happy Reading! Rankin Morgan Publisher/Managing Editor
Dazzle Magazine is a dynamic Saint Lucian bi-monthly publication that provides muchneeded 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 12. Eddison Layne - Vegan Cuisine with a Flavourful Impact 18. Maria Jackson - Rich in Cocoa 24. Davina Lee - Making the most of Creativity 28. Desmond Auguste - is Ransum Records 411 10. Ride Out with Brand New Motorcycles from Courts
Publisher Rankin Morgan Sales & Marketing Alana M.I Morgan Art Director Aldrin Henry Contributors Tanisha Prospere Nadège Knight Imran St. Brice Photography Aldrin Henry
Professional Progress 16. How to Start a Successful Side Business Mastering Marketing 22. Curating Content for Social Media Health & Fitness 8. Wax Apples Lifestyle 31. RECAP - 13 Reasons Why Eating In 31. Bounty Christmas Punch Gadget & Gizmos 34. iOS 14 Pros, Cons & New Features
Issue 32
facebook.com/dazzlethemag
Eddison Layne
Maria Jackson
Vegan Cuisine with a Flavourful Impact
Rich in Cocoa
Ride Out with Brand New Motorcycles from Courts
Desmond Auguste is Ransum Records
Instagram 36. Always Remeber to Wash your Hands
Davina Lee Making the most of creativity
Try me!
iOS 14 Pros, Cons & New Features
On the Cover Davina Lee
Rea
13 asons Why
contact us
For more information visit us at www.dazzlethemag.com or call us at 758.452.0123
pg. 24
//Feature
Davina Lee Making the most of creativity
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T
he Java Apple, or as we call it in Saint Lucia “Wax Apple” is native in Bangladesh to the Solomon Islands and is mostly pink or red in colour. It can also be found in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Antilles. Despite the name, the fruit only resembles an apple but does not taste like one. As with any fruit, Wax Apple has a few health benefits that comes with it.
It is good for cholesterol The nutrients and fibre in wax apples counteracts the buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries that puts your heart at risk. Complications that arise with LDL cholesterol are boosted by the nutrients in wax apples.
Detoxifies the body The water, vitamins and minerals present in wax apples serve as detoxifiers and can be used to clear liver and kidney toxins.
Healthy skin and Immunity The components in wax apples have been known to have antimicrobial and antifungal effects that make it effective to prevent and cure skin infection. It can also protect the skin from infections and can boost the strength of the immune system.
Repairs body tissues Rich in vitamin C, wax apples can aid in the reparations of body tissues or damaged cells in the body and lower the dangers that associate with cardiac issues. 8 DAZZLE
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Diabetes control Jambosine, a type of alkaloid found in wax apples is a promising aid in regulating the conversion of starch to sugar.
Aid in digestion High in fiber, wax apples are good for regulating the passage of food through your digestive tract. The seeds of wax apples have also been used to prevent diarrhea and dysentery (infection of intestines).
Lowers the risk of cancer According to research, vitamin C and vitamin A are along the numerous nutrients in wax apples said to aid in preventing the growth of cancerous cells in the body.
Prevents muscle cramps Hypokalemia is due to low levels of potassium in the body which forms an important electrolyte for nerve and cell functioning. Wax apples are abundant in potassium and can strengthen the muscles.
Treats bladder infections Wax apples are a natural diuretic which can stimulate the disposal of urine for persons suffering from bladder infections. Wax apples can also help prevent kidney stones formation. If you’ve never had one, now’s the time to indulge!
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DAZZLE 9
Ride Out with Brand New Motorcycles from Courts
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epending on which social circles you’re in, you may or may not have heard that Courts St. Lucia has added motorcycles to their product lineup!
While this is a fresh idea to our market, the AKT brand of motorcycles has been a staple in neighboring Latin American markets for Courts. They’ve been established for over 10 years and are hugely successful with their audience. After much consideration, the decision
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was made to bring these reliable motorcycles to our market, where the rider population is increasingly growing. Since its announcement, Courts has received an overwhelmingly positive response. That can be attributed to a number of factors. One being, the motorcycle lineup is quite attractive visually, and Courts is making it super easy to purchase one at an affordable price.
Furthermore, Courts is collaborating with other companies to help you save the most money and get you started with no hassle. A partnership with Kick Start Riding and Driving School, offers new riders a substantial $500 off of their motorcycle classes. West Indies General is also coming on board to offer a 10% discount on premium insurance plan payments (Customers still have the option to insure elsewhere though). Of course, Courts also offers a 2-year extended warranty that covers repairs, parts and up to 3 services in the first year of ownership. Motorcycles starting price is from $4,999 XCD, but you can use promo code “dazzle10” to get a FREE Helmet and 10% off your purchase of either the AK180GP or AK180CRX.
Speaking on the looks, first, the AKT lineup includes the CRX 180 and 180 GP models, both possessing 180cc sized engines. The more commuter oriented 150 SL is also available. The 180cc variants are built with an aggressive look, similar to that of larger, more powerful motorcycles. These bikes also feature useful, practical additions like LED lights, digital displays, comfortable seats, an adjustable shock and a low seat height.
Lastly, but most importantly, safety is also a top priority for Courts. AKT branded helmets are also on sale at Courts’ Marisule Branch as well. There are plans to bring in other lines of riding essentials and accessories, but for now, that’s about everything you’ll need!
Logistically, Courts opted to capture the segments of the market that couldn’t previously obtain financing from institutions like banks or credit unions. This is where their signature hire purchasing plan comes into play for their new motorcycles.
You can speak with any salesperson at any Courts branch to find out how easy it is to get started on your new AKT motorcycle. Of course, you can get an up close experience with their new line at the Courts Marisule branch.
This approach greatly broadens the already large market that they’re targeting. A primary focus is placed on recreational riders who enjoy weekend rides with friends, those who see motorcycles as more affordable forms of transport, as well as businesses who do delivery services around the island.
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Eddison
LAYNE Vegan Cuisine with a flavourful impact
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ddison Layne has risen to being a well known name in several communities. He’s most well-known for his contributions to youth development and crafting flavourful vegan cuisine. Eddison is an executive member of the National Youth Council (NYC) as Public Relations Officer. Prior to that, his youth journey started with being a member of Junior Achievers in primary school and then RBC Young Leaders at St. Mary’s College (SMC). For his contributions to Young Leaders he earned the “Spirit of SMC Award”. Here’s everything we discussed with Eddison Layne!
Dazzle: Tell us about your business… Eddison: My business is Cardinal Vegan Cuisine, it started in July, 2019. It was birthed out of the demands of my network and friends. Initially I was doing this for free and they encouraged me to go forward with it as a business that could cater to many more people. Dazzle: How did this journey begin for you? Eddison: It all started at Camp Kalinago which was primarily an NYC Event. The other attendees were the first to see what this business would eventually become. At the camp I would cook for myself using their kitchen. A number of people would come around and sample foods and I took that opportunity to discover what people’s palettes were like. Everyone was really impressed from then on. A few months later I started with deliveries and marketing the business. 12 DAZZLE
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of our ethnicity in the United States like: Dr. Sebi, Dr. Llaila Afrika and Dr. Umar Johnson. They were all interesting to say the least. I realised that a lot of the standards I held were simply handed down to me and were not things I’d figure out on my own, including my nutrition. After listening to a particular video by Dr. Afrika at around 10PM I said to my mom, “I’m not eating meat anymore.” And that was it. Dazzle: How were you able to educate your peers at SMC about healthy eating back then? Eddison: It was about the authenticity of what we were doing. Initially we weren’t pushing for it but people were curious about why we took on that lifestyle. I say we because a good friend of mine, Allin Fevrier, caught on as well. I was always interested in keeping my food flavourful, that’s why people like it. Coming from my background, my family could always cook so I’ve always had good taste.
fun facts Favourite athlete? Connor McGregor Biggest Achievement? Young Leader of the Year in 2016 at SMC Something you can’t do without? My phone or my chef knife What are 3 of your hobbies? Adventuring in nature, Skateboarding, Reading What song do you have on repeat? Ice Water by Loyle Carner
I’ve been a vegan since 2016 so preparing that type of food came naturally to me, even though I wasn’t always a cook. From my SMC days I started going to the gym and because I wanted to change my lifestyle back then I needed to know how to prepare food for myself. Following that I did massive amounts of research. I’d eat from the popular vegan restaurants locally to see what it’s like. Dazzle: What made you decide to go vegan? Eddison: One of my mentors, Channing, who is a musician nudged me in that direction. On his recommendation I took a few days to research people
Dazzle: Tell us about your family background… Eddison: My sister is a great cook and is very passionate! My mom is also a great cook, but she’s more reluctant and isn’t always in the kitchen. One of my aunts is always catering, cooking for family lunches and so on. Another aunt of mine was an F&N teacher (Food and Nutrition) at the Entrepot Secondary School. That background really drew me into wanting to eat food that was of the same standard that I was used to from home. Dazzle: Where did the name Cardinal Vegan Cuisine come from? Eddison: I’d go out camping with two friends, Ngugi and Kuanza, and this one time I wore a long sleeved top with the cardinal points on it and that was my favourite thing at the time. Being at the top of Donkey Beach, where the North-East trade winds hit the island. Everything going through my mind at the time drew me into this concept that it’s all about direction, placement. Cardinal felt like the right thing coming in at the right time. I had already begun using Cardinal Creations on my own Instagram and it was something I decided to stick with. Dazzle: What makes your vegan cuisine stand out from all of the other vegan cooks that are out there? Eddison: My food is much more liberated. I don’t have any religion or secular beliefs about cuisine that would hinder me. I open myself to the wide array of fruits and vegetables that are available to me. Every dish that we make is made with acute care, texture and flavour. It’s an international quality of Indian street food, St. Lucian staple ingredients and of course the flavours that I could get from China, Thailand, whatever it is that I can get my hands on.
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And I’ve been studying this for about 4 years now. I make my foods from the perspective of someone who wants to eat the best flavourful foods. I don’t think I’ve achieved that all along the journey, but when I began producing food with Cardinal Cuisine it’s been spectacular. My work has been able to hit such a wide variety that a large number of my customers aren’t even vegan. The goal had always been to make something of an international standard that both vegan and non-vegan people could enjoy. Dazzle: Where do you find inspiration to infuse all of these cultures in your cooking? Eddison: I had to study the market; who was doing what, and who did it best. It didn’t come all at once but I eventually got onto the guys who do this at the highest standard. Learning from them and then taking inspiration from both local and regional cooks, I was able to create my own style from that. Dazzle: How did your clients find you initially? Eddison: When I started up, I would call at least 30 people for each delivery given. I was also marketing on Instagram and through my friend groups. Months later I started to get calls. Being willing to give samples at NYC events and so on also helped propel me as well.
Overall it was a lot of organic growth because they all really loved and wanted to promote my cuisine to others. Dazzle: What cuisine are you most known for in particular? Eddison: My Indian cuisine is most popular. In particular, I do something called my Special Vegan Roti. Our Italian foods are also popular because we’ve been able to take loved foods and make them work for a vegan diet. Dazzle: What else do you do aside from vegan cuisine? Eddison: I love working with my hands. That part of my business is called Cardinal Creations. I made bracelets while at a previous job and people would come in, see it and want one for themselves. I’m also into crystals and herbology, and how it benefits the body. In terms of my youth work, I believe advocacy is something that needs to be done in every generation. We’ve been conditioned from early on into adulthood to believe certain things. And the fact that I could assist in bringing this clarity to others, and be influential is something that’s been a pleasure for me. Dazzle:Where do you see yourself/your business in the next 2 years? Eddison: We just released our first digital product, Cooking with Cardinal. It’s an online course that teaches people how to prepare our style of vegan cuisine. So far, locally it’s been doing great. It’s something that I plan on continuing moving forward. I’m also looking to expand and serve people all across the market on the island with ever improving quality of food. Coming out of the COVID era, it’s no secret that restaurants can be quite expensive, so the delivery strategy is something that we believe we can continue with and improve on. Currently we deliver anywhere from Castries South to Cap Estate. While I do believe that e-products are a great idea right now I also like the idea of physical expansion, possibly to another island where we can have an impact there too. Overall I’d say that I want to make meaningful impacts on people's lifestyle. Dazzle:What advice would you offer to young entrepreneurs like yourself? Eddison: I’d advise all entrepreneurs to find your people, love them and focus on service. It’s all about the people that we serve, with business, ideas and so on. And don’t be afraid to use your personal brand and your ideas to build it into what you want it to be.
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How to Start a Successful Side Business
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side business is typically something someone does during their free time to earn further income in addition to the main salary. This is often a place where people can create a profit from something that they are passionate about. Examples include:
• Photography • Catering • Tutoring • Graphic Design • Sewing/Tailoring Having a good business plan for your side business is the first step. This is essential as you cannot be successful without having some sort of plan in mind. 16 DAZZLE
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This would determine:
• What your business is about. • Who your target audience are • How the business will be operated • What product/service you will be offering • Who you are competing with Next thing to be mindful of is the structure of the business. There are many types of business structures including Partnership, Corporation, Sole Proprietorship and Limited Liability Company (LLC). Now one of the most important things needed for your side business is a name. A brand name can make or break a business so careful consideration is needed. This includes:
• The demographic your side business will appeal to • If the name is unique enough • Available web domain
With all this in mind its time to set up business credit. Business credit is a company's ability to obtain borrowed money which it can use to buy products or services based on the confidence/trust that payment will be made in the future. They are well worth it in the long run as it helps to monitor and maintain you side business identity, assets, and finances. Now you need to create a plan to obtain funding for your side business. These can be either self-funding, through family/friends, bank loans, Angel Investors or through crowdfunding. Each type of funding has its pros and cons, so it all comes down to what you see fit.
Ice cream is sold in covered cups. Regular cones, waffle cones, waffle bowls and toppings are sold seperately.
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Maria JACKSON Rich in Cocoa
ailing from the community of Soufriere, thirty year old Maria Jackson is the proud owner of Cacao Sainte Lucie, currently based in Belvedere, Canaries. After graduating from Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School, she moved on to work at Sugar Beach Hotel, then to Anse Chastanet and finally Jade Mountain, where she worked as pastry chef and gathered her experience in chocolate making and pastry art to start her business.
local aspect. Local chocolate isn’t easily accessible in St. Lucia so I saw it as a viable option to go into that industry. With my family’s support I didn’t have to ponder on it too much; I started the process almost immediately.
Dazzle: What inspired you to create Cacoa Sainte Lucie, and how long has it been in operation? Maria: I’ve been doing Cacoa Sainte Lucie for about five years now. I’ve always been driven to own my own business, even at a young age. My family has a business oriented background and growing up I figured that one day it might be what I see myself doing as well. I loved cooking and being in a kitchen and it was only a few years ago that I realized there weren't any locally produced chocolates in St. Lucia. I decided to bring the two together; business and confectionery. Dazzle: How did you know that Cacoa Sainte Lucie was the right idea and what was your support system like? Maria: It made sense for me, being that it was such a unique product to St. Lucia. Given the history of cocoa beans in St. Lucia, I figured that it was something locals would definitely appreciate, as well as visitors to the island. Knowing that the cocoa is not only being grown in St. Lucia but the product is being made right here, I thought it would be great. My family has been supporting me from the very beginning; my mom, step father, my sisters and my husband. They’ve been by my side up until this very moment and although it hasn’t been easy, I’m grateful for them and the opportunity to do something I love. I accept where I am right now and I understand that this business is something that I’ve grown into and I absolutely love it. Dazzle:: How did you first realize this was what you wanted to do? Maria: I did the research and the groundwork and I realized persons would be appreciative of the strictly
fun facts Your middle name - Lina Your favourite restaurant Petite Peak Restaurant What was your last supermarket purchase mixed berries The name of your pet - Spike (a dog) What is your biggest fear Being assessed unaware Dazzle: What outlets do you have your products at? Maria: My chocolate bars are sold at Massy Gourmet (formerly GL Supermarket in Baywalk Mall), Excellent Stores and Nature’s Discount for now. Considering the nature of the product, it’s an alternative towards the commercially produced brands. It’s not something
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that you will find additives and preservatives in. That makes it different from the commercial brands and has more added health benefits. Dazzle: How was your company impacted by COVID-19 and how did you overcome it? Maria: At this point, we’re not post COVID as yet. With the entire country being shut down, we had to come to a production halt altogether. It has affected us tremendously and we’re basically riding out the storm right now. We’re looking at other options; we’re getting quite a few requests for online sales so we’re looking at that. We have a website available but it’s not set up for online purchases as yet. We’re working on adjusting that. Dazzle: Did you experience any failure, and if so what has it taught you? Maria: There have been a few obstacles along the way. What it’s taught me so far is that I need to take it one day at a time. I understand that Rome was not built in one day and a brand doesn’t just blossom out of the blue. A company takes time to build and grow. It’s taught me patience and understanding that we need to take things one step at a time. We need to look at things realistically and figure out the problems, and how we’re going to overcome them. Dazzle: What are you most excited about at work? Maria: Everything in my life revolves around my chocolates. The free time we have gives us the opportunity to come up with new flavours and figure out how we can better our product. We’re looking at better packaging and how smoother we can make our chocolates; we’re creating a local product but we still want to meet international standards. That’s a lot for someone who didn’t have any formal culinary training. For me, everything is a learning process and both the product and brand have come a long way. Dazzle: How do you keep updated with various manufacturing trends? Maria: The world is at our fingertips right now. There are quite a bit of platforms that we follow. We follow the chocolate makers that produce the machinery we use. They’re the ones guiding us on how to better our product. Dazzle: How long did it take you from your idea to actually producing? Maria: It took me about one year. To be honest, the final product was chocolate, but it wasn’t something that I would’ve been able to present to a consumer. There was still a lot of tweaking that needed to be done with the product at that point. It is a very scientific process and I had to learn all of that from scratch to produce something I’m proud of. 20 DAZZLE
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So it took one year from my idea to my first chocolate and a few months from that to something I could show a consumer. I had an article written about three years and I had a tester for my chocolate. She made her reviews and stated that it came a long way in terms of the flavor profiles that come through the chocolate bar. There is a lot that goes into the fermentation stage; if the beans are not fermented properly then it definitely affects the end result of the chocolate bar. I had to go back to my farmers to understand how the beans are fermented and help them do that in a way that would benefit my end product. Dazzle: Who was the first company to buy your product? Maria: Caribbean Naturals was the first. They approached me, and we had that sort of understanding that yes, this is a small business and the quality is growing but it was very satisfying to know that they were going to work with me knowing where we were at with the product. Dazzle: How do you advertise your product? Maria: We use social media platforms but I could say easily that it’s mostly by word of mouth. We don’t have many followers but people talk and that’s arguably the most effective way to get the word around. We have Instagram, Facebook and a website as well. Dazzle: What has your entrepreneurial journey taught you? Maria: Patience and humility. I’m always eager to learn. I can’t say at this point I’ve reached where I want to be. That’s far from the truth. It can be the simplest of advice; you wouldn’t necessarily be ready to take it, but you can use that advice to meet your current situation. Dazzle: What does the road ahead look like for your company? Maria: I would like to say we’d love to develop a regional presence. As for international, I’m going back to what I said about taking it one step at a time. For me, it’ll be a regional presence and only then can we expand to international markets. I’d like to see my product right beside our regional brands. Dazzle: What advice would you like to give to up and coming entrepreneurs? Maria: You have to be passion driven. There are times when you want to really throw in the towel but passion allows you to see the end goal rather than the present struggle. The journey won’t be easy but the end result is always worth it. We’re excited to see where this local brand heads next! Good luck to Maria and Cacoa Sainte Lucie!
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terms and conditions apply
Curating Content for Social Media
T
he world today, has become more dependent on social media than ever before and continues to grow. Whether you are a business trying to promote themselves or a person just posting content, learning how to curate that content is essential in getting started:
What is Content Curation? Content Curation is the act of discovering, collecting, and presenting digital content that encompasses a specific subject. However, though many in the digital industry still find it a "buzz word," content curation is now becoming a marketing necessity for many companies with a strong online presence. These can include audio, video, text, and images.
Types of Content Curation Aggregation The act of diligently collecting the most relevant information about a subject, from different sources, in one location. This is one of the most common forms of content curation. Examples include; news, reddit, and reader’s digest. 22 DAZZLE
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Distillation The method of curating knowledge in a simplified format, in which only the most interesting or relevant ideas are shared. Examples of this would be Ranking Charts, and “best of category lists”. “The 100 Best Novels Written in English” and “Best Books Lists” are sites that organize/curate information using the distillation method.
Mashup Is merging two or more existing content into something new and unique. This is often used in the context of music. Examples include remixes and compilations.
Chronology Is a method of curation that brings together time-based historical information to display an evolved understanding of a topic. Example; Evolution of the web is a timeline that shows the history of the web.
Essentials for Curating Content How Much Curating Needs to be done? Come up with an ideal balance between original and selected content "golden ratio". What percentage of your content will be original, and how much will be selected from somewhere else? At least more than 60% of the content should be your original while the other 40% curated. This may vary between the social media platform being used, example, Instagram.
Divide Your Content in Categories If you are creating a vast amount of content, it is better to categorize them to make it more organized. Some businesses are sticking to publishing only one form of content, which is not a problem. Each Social media platform has different ways to categorize content. For instance, on Instagram you can use hashtags to organize what each post is for. Hashtags are keywords that help push your content on the internet. Search Engine Optimization (S.E.O) also helps curate content for websites and helps increase the exposure online.
Finding/Sharing Content When curating, its best to have multiple sources. Most social media platforms are a great place to get content ranging from Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok and even Facebook. Social media has made content curation quick and easy to find. Sharing content can help boost your reputation, but sharing without filtering can damage it severely. Curated content reflects directly on your reputation and credibility which is why it’s important to use only those which best improves it. Remember to add your own spin to the curated content, as to not have it seem like a copy and paste.
Analyze Your Content Always check to see how well your content is doing. Analyzing how well your posts did can help determine what type of content is best for generating more interaction from people. If a category is not performing well, you can adjust your content to what your audience enjoys more.
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The question of “Who am I?� is one that often prompts a bit of reflection. In this Dazzle Magazine interview with Davina Lee, we discussed the details of who she is; in the past, today, and what she hopes for in the future.
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Davina Lee Making the most of Creativity
For those who don’t know, who is Davina Lee? “That’s always a hard question to answer because there are so many things that make up who I am. I am an artist at my core, a filmmaker by training, a lover of food and professionally I’m the Principal Information Officer of the Government Information Service (GIS). Right now I’m trying to merge the artist with the Government official.”
of it; planning and having control. We were both producers and hosts because we still really wanted to be on TV and we had to create and maintain this platform for ourselves. That’s when I decided that this is something I’d want to pursue as a career. But back then, it wasn’t met with well wishes. I was told that there’s no scope for that career path in St. Lucia. But I had my family’s support and still went on to study for my BFA in Film from Miami International University of Art & Design for three years.”
How early in your life were you drawn towards being creative?
Immediately after that you returned home...
“I grew up in a creative household, so anything in the creative spectrum always interested me. My dad, John Robert Lee, is a writer, and my mom, Jacinta AnniusLee, is a writer and was photographer, I remember going into her dark room with her often when she developed the film of the photos she took. So I can’t remember a time when I was not around anything creative.”
Why ultimately choose filmmaking? “It started off as a vanity thing. When I was 14 and my sister was 12 we wanted to be on TV but there were no local TV shows. So we planned our own and went to HTS and DBS. At the time we weren’t thinking of money we just wanted to be on TV. But at DBS we were told we could have our own TV show but we would have to pay for airtime, get sponsors and hire someone to shoot it. We were confused at first, but fast forward a couple of years later we actually got a few advertisers who believed in us. We had shot a pilot episode with Dave Samuel Productions (at the time) and we brought it around to potential sponsor. That whole process made us producers almost by force, that was not my intention when we started, I wanted to be in front of the camera but I am super grateful for that experience. We produced and hosted 10 episodes of that show, it was called Vibe Central.”
So that was your official introduction to filmmaking and producing specifically? “Back then I realised that I really loved the back-end
“Yes, I missed home. Upon returning, my sister and I decided to do another TV show with my best friend, Charlene Bobb. It was called ‘Access Caribbean’. This time we did it because we wanted to travel and do fun things. We had the opportunity to go to various parts of Europe and the Caribbean, spend weekends at local hotels like Jade Mountain, eat fun places, do various adventure tours and lots more. While at those locations we’d do interviews and show people what it’s like in those places.”
Why not continue it long term? “While it was mostly fun, there’s the financial side to deal with which can be stressful. Being an artist, sometimes you don’t want to focus on the money but it comes with the territory. We had to be to be on the hustle 24/7 to get advertising dollars and produce the content for the show. We used the song ‘Take You Home’ by Shayne Ross for the intro montage to Access Caribbean. That led to us eventually shooting a music video for the song at Jade Mountain as well. The video turned out to be pretty successful, it was even aired on Tempo and BET and I continued doing music videos after that. But all in all we had about three seasons of Access Caribbean… then I told myself that it was time for me to get a real job (laughs).”
Which takes us to you working at GIS. What was that like from the start? “The first time I worked at GIS, it was over 10 years ago, it was okay but at times was a little boring
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and structured, coming from my colourful exciting production past, the slow pace got some getting used to. I conceived a few new TV productions for the GIS while I was there but for various reasons those programmes did not continue. I eventually left the GIS and I began working on personal project, a script for a short film called “The Coming of Org” based on a short story my father wrote. When I first read the story, it was very visual and I thought it could be made into a movie so I wrote the script for it. I entered it into a screenplay competition put on by the United Nations, who were trying to help build the Caribbean film industry. I was chosen and received the CEMA award (Cinematic Entrepreneurial Motivational Award) and technical assistance in bringing it to the screen. I then applied for a financial grant that the Government of St. Lucia was offering for productions. Once that was secured I made ‘The Coming of Org’.”
What was it like putting together this film with the cast and everything else? “Some actors in the film were McDonald Dixon, Jason Sifflet and Charles Cadette. I got McDonald and Jason on board early because they fit the look that I wanted for their characters. I learned some stuff during the shooting process as well, and that was that I don’t want to shoot (be the cinematographer) on my own movies again (laughs). I am a control freak so I did the shooting, directing and editing, but that takes away from what I can do with my actors as a director. Johann ‘Yogi’ Deterville produced the theme song for the movie and Shayne Ross sang it, so that was greatly appreciated. The movie is about 30 minutes, and it tells three different stories of people who come face to face with the monster in them.”
How far has “The Coming of Org” taken you? “The Coming of Org” went to a few film festivals, one being the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival. The biggest highlight would be making it to the Cannes Short Film Corner in France which is the marketplace for short films during the festival. Even though it wasn’t official selection for the Festival, it was a great opportunity because I got to see what the international market was like and network… it’s something I’d love to do again.”
Coming off of that film, how did you get started on “The Knot”?
“I submitted the idea for it to a workshop and competition held by the OECS. After the judging process, the three best scripts were chosen to receive
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a financial grant and “The Knot” was one of them. After that, I took a break and decided to go back to school to pursue my Masters in Script Writing from Goldsmiths, University of London. After returning home I polished the script from the additional knowledge I gained at University and then I made “The Knot” in 2017. I got my friend Erick, who was my classmate at University in Miami to be my cinematographer this time around, so that I could focus on directing the actors better than I did in my first film. “The Knot” did well and got accepted to many international festivals including some in The UK, The US, Nigeria, Italy and regionally at the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival, where it got nominated for the People’s Choice Award. It was actually on TV in Trinidad through Film Co. TT and distributed through a few online streaming platforms as well, just like ‘The Coming of Org’.”
we go LIVE on a daily basis. Sometimes you’d find that people aren’t always receptive to change but once they see the benefits they come around and things work out for the best.”
What would you say is your biggest achievement in your career so far?
We wish Davina Lee all the best in her future endeavours!
“My biggest achievement goes back to when I decided that I wanted to be on TV as a teenager with my sister, and we actually did a whole TV series with no production experience, no industry experience, just a dream and a lot of drive. I say that because it was a male dominated business. We didn’t get any breaks because we were young girls. I always try to go back to that time and say to myself that “If you could do this when you were only 14 years old, you are capable of doing whatever you want now.”
GIS would present a different spin to the way you’re accustomed to working; it's ongoing. How have you been able to adapt to that? “I always felt that GIS had a lot of potential ever since I worked there years ago as a junior member of staff and coming back this time as the head of the department there is a lot more I can do to help fulfill that potential. There’s a great studio space, capable and talented staff, industry standard equipment but I felt like the resources weren’t maximized before. I believed that we could still provide factual Government based information but make it interesting to watch. Everything had to be refreshed to reflect the new goal in mind. We have new programmes that are coming through, despite a few setbacks (like Covid-19). But COVID gave people the opportunity to see what we’re about because they would tune in to see news updates and then stick around for the other programming. Right now, we’re in the process of broadcasting in HD (High Definition) on TV, our programmes are already HD online where
Where would you like to take GIS/ NTN and feel totally satisfied with what you’ve contributed? “I want to introduce more community based documentaries, more creative programmes, and to create a bigger platform for St. Lucian creatives. It does exist but I plan on making it more formal. I want people to see NTN as the best, like when you ask the question “What’s the best TV station in St. Lucia that keeps you informed and entertained?” you’d think of NTN.”
fun facts Most interesting experience during Covid/Quarantine? The total lack of need for sleep, we worked round the clock! Favourite colour? Black Favourite movie? Coming to America What do you do in your spare time? Lime with my friends Waterfalls or the sea? Waterfalls What inspires you? My environment. St. Lucia is my muse, I love her! What advice would you give to upcoming creatives/filmmakers? Just do it. You have to be persistent with your dreams.
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is Ransum Records
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uring a time where we rely on music to fill up the time we’re spending at home, we should appreciate the backend of all the great songs we’ve heard thus far. Music producers are essential in the music making business and producers like twenty six year old music Demond Auguste are no different. Hailing from the community of Anse La Raye, Auguste graduated from Corinth Secondary School before he decided to venture into music production and launch Ransum Records. Dazzle: How did you get started in music production? Desmond: Someone told me there was a studio close to where my dad had his bakery. I decided to check it out for myself and that’s when it started. It started with Yohan Deterville, more widely known as Yogi. He’s a music producer mainly based in Canada. At the time, he used the studio that I’m currently working from and he taught me how to use Fruity Loops, the program I use to make beats. When I first started using it, I would bring it back for him to have him listen to it and give me pointers on what I should do differently. When he started traveling, I got permission to use the studio while he was gone. Dazzle: What did you produce first and how did you get your inspiration? Desmond: I was more into music from people like Usher and 50 Cent, but what I started making first was dancehall and a little bit of R&B. I get inspired based on how I’m feeling. It depends on my mood. If I’m happy, angry or sad then it reflects on the beats I make. I also get inspiration from other artists and their music, but I try not to take too much out of it so it can be my own work.
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Dazzle: How do you describe the Ransum Records sound? Desmond: I like a lot of base, so if you hear something that’s shaking the floor and the walls, there’s a likely chance that I did that. I like to know people can hear what I make, and feel it too. Dazzle: What has been your most memorable moment thus far? Desmond: In 2016, I did a Soca Trap challenge with Mac 11. We got together through Megabyte, who brought him to the studio and we started working together. Mac 11 had the lyrics and I made the beat to fit it. He played the original song and I used that to make a soca version. That was one of my favorite studio moments. Also, hearing people talk about my music and hearing it be played on the radio or at events; that feels amazing.
fun facts
Dazzle: How did you end up working with some of the artistes you’ve mentioned? Desmond: A guy from Martinique messaged me and said he wanted a beat for himself. He wanted a beat to put an artiste on and after I did it, I got to know that Mr. Killa was interested in it and from then, I started working directly with him. That’s how my work started to spread. When people started hearing it, a Trinidadian guy messaged me to work with Prince Swanny. I sent him a couple of beats that I had and a few days after he and Kranium did a song on the beat. Dazzle: What were your first, biggest and most recent hits? Desmond: The first one was Padnas with Mac 11 and the biggest one was Oil it Up by Mr. Killa. Plenty Loving by Pilot has to be the most recent and it’s still growing. Dazzle Magazine is looking forward to hearing more of Desmond’s work with Ransum Records! Good luck!
What’s your favourite genre? Rap Do you prefer day or night? Night Beach party or river lime? Beach party What would you sing at a Karaoke? Find Your Love By Drake Dazzle: Have you ever needed to change your production style to suit an artiste? Desmond: Most times when the artistes come to me, they tell me what exactly they’re looking for but then still give me ample room to be creative with it. They always say “put my ransum touch on it.” I’ve worked with Sedale and Lisa Weekes on Emergency, Michael Robinson on Body Language, Mr. Killa on Oil it Up and Screwdriver. I’ve also worked with Prince Swanny and Kranium but that’s soon to be released. Dazzle: What advice would you give to up and coming producers like yourself? Desmond: With music, you have to be very patient but hardworking. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself as an artiste or producer because time and energy will go a long way. Dazzle: What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them? Desmond: I don't let things get under my skin too much. If there’s a problem then I face it as best as I can but I try not to let things affect me too much.
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Christmas BOUNTY
PUNCH
INGREDIENTS
½ Lime Juice Ginger Beer Bounty Sorrel 1.5 oz Grapefruit & Rosemary Shrub 2oz
INSTRUCTIONS Add all ingredients into a stemless wine glass over ice stir then top with ginger beer. Garnish with slice of grapefruit and a sorrel bud and a sprig of rosemary. www.dazzlethemag.com
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P O W E R E D
B Y
PL A N N I NG A P R I VAT E PART Y AN E VE NT, WED DING S OR BIRT HDAY CE L E B R ATI O N S ?
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Here’s How To Use: 1. Open Snapchat and select Add Friend 2. Select ghost icon in the search bar 3. Select this graphic from your album 4. Unlock for 48 Hours
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recap
13 Reasons Why
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his highly dramatic and intense series aired on Netflix back in 2017 and from inception, it has been a somewhat controversial series. First, a trigger warning should be in effect before the start of the series. While it is a teenage drama, the entirety of it centers around sensitive topics such as suicide, rape and mental illness. Hannah Baker is season one’s first victim, and from there the plot thickens. Hannah Baker commits suicide before the start of the series and season one shows us how she lived, the events that lead to her suicide and the persons who she thought were directly and indirectly responsible. Even after her death, Hannah leaves behind hurt and panic as her thirteen tapes on why she committed suicide and naming the persons responsible cement the storyline for the season that follow. After the traumatic conclusion that leaves some hurt and others relieved, those left behind find themselves now struggling with the consequences of their actions.
This series packs a punch, for those struggling with mental illnesses or have been victims of sexual assault, and persons prone to suicidal thoughts. It’s a risky watch, and some others find it disturbing. It’s interesting to see the aftermath of one person’s heartbreaking decision impact the lives of so many. If you’re watching, tread lightly. Thirteen Reasons Why is unapologetically scarring.
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Pros, Cons & New Features
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very year Apple introduces a new major software update for the iPhone. For 2020, we are presented with iOS 14. This update brings in several new features for the iPhone, some may like and some others may not like. Critics may compare these new features to that of the Windows phone’s app drawer as the concept is quite similar to it. However, loyalists to the iPhone brand may find this update refreshing and here are a few reasons why.
The Introduction of Widgets While Android users may have been used to this feature for the past several years, iPhone users are now experiencing the ability to pin different blocks of info in various sizes of their home screen. Apple also introduced Smart Stack which allows users to stack widgets that use on-device intelligence to give you the right widget based on time, location and activity. You'll be able to swipe through the Smart Stack to see different useful widgets.
App Library The App Library will be positioned at the end of the Home Screen pages and it automatically organises all of your apps into folders, such as Social or Recently Added, as well as Suggestions, showing you apps that might be useful at that particular time. Users will be able to choose how many Home Screen pages to display and hide entire pages for quicker access to the App Library. 34 DAZZLE
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An Enhanced Siri Siri is getting a redesign in iOS 14, not only enabling it to pop up on the page rather than move to a separate screen but it's getting a host of new features too, including better translation functionality and expansion of knowledge. Users will also be able to start to record and send an audio message using Siri.
Are these new updates for the best? That is entirely your opinion. The new Widgets features breathes new life to your home screen since there would be several personalisation options at your fingertips. The new App Library assists in making your screen look more clean and organised, making searching for your favourite app much easier. Have you upgraded to iOS 14 as yet? Why haven’t you! Check out these amazing new features that give your phone screen a stylish new look.
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