Dazzle Magazine Issue 37

from the publisher C

an you believe that Dazzle Magazine has turned 10? It is said that time flies while you’re having fun but in our case it’s time flies when you’re being productive. Seems like only yesterday we published our first issue not knowing what was in store for us.

The mandate of the magazine has always been to showcase young entrepreneurs, new businesses and professionals of St. Lucia. We can confidently say that despite the various economic challenges and the evolution of the magazine transitioning to strictly an online publication, Dazzle can confidently say that it has stuck to its mandate.

The Dazzle Team must be commended for their creative contributions and dedication which have enabled us to be innovative. Our wide range of interesting articles has contributed to the success of the magazine’s publication over the years. To (a) our advertisers past and present, who have trusted us as a viable platform for advertising their products and services; (b) amazing features who have inspired our readers and others through their stories we thank you for your trust, support and subscriptions over our digital platforms, and finally, the Dazzle readers and supporters, you have been amazing. Thank you for your constructive criticism and support. You are the reason why Dazzle has been successful!

We will continue find innovative ways to feature progressive entrepreneurs and professionals through new videos series and podcast. Recently, we launched a new ten episode series title On Your Radar which is a platform for artists to express/perform and promote their most recent/trending songs in a modern, acoustic, live studio setting.

Once again I thank you for your continued support. Feel free to visitwww.dazzlethemag.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube for more inspiring stories.

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 758 484 4642 or email advertising@dazzlethemag.com for more information and terms and conditions.

Features

12. Darnvi St Marthe - Exploring Saint Lucia’s Gems

18. Tessa Clement-Duarte - The Walking Billboard

28. Sharmark Leon - Determined To Be A Cut Above The Rest

411

26. 123 Digital Limited - 10 Year Anniversary

Professional Progress

10. Understanding Investments: A Beginner’s Guide

24. Unspoken Rules in the Office

Mastering Marketing

17. Your Introduction to Reels and how they're Used

Health & Fitness

8. Whole Grains

Lifestyle

22. Who Pays the Bill on a First Date?

Eating In

32. Apple Crumble

Instagram

35. Just 4 Fun Band Launch 2023

Publisher

Rankin Morgan

Sales & Marketing Alana M.I Morgan

Art Director Aldrin Henry

Contributors

Reginald Andrew Alkelan Gaspard Tanisha Prospere Imran St. Brice

Editor Leila M Williams

Photography Aldrin Henry

On the Cover Sharmark Leon

Whole Grains

Grains are an essential part of a healthy diet. They are good sources of vitamins and minerals and are naturally low in fat. They are also good sources of complex carbohydrates which provide your body with long lasting energy and they protect your heart!

Most persons eat grains on a daily basis. Foods like white rice, white flour, white bread and even cornflakes are made from grains, but these are made from refined grains.

The magic really lies in Whole Grains! Foods like whole wheat bread, popcorn, oatmeal and whole grain pasta all contribute to a healthy heart and are rich in nutirents while aiding the digestion process!

More Benefits of Whole Grains

• Rich in B vitamins

• Rich in Copper

• High in fiber

• Reduce your risk for certain cancers

• Help maintain blood sugar levels

Everyday Whole Grain Foods

• Oats

Whole Grain Pasta

Whole Grain Bread

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Exploring Saint Lucia’s

Gems

pg. 12

Understanding Investments: A Beginner’s Guide

Anyone can be an investor. The higher returns coupled with the unpredictability and volatile nature of the financial markets is well- known, making the markets equally intimidating as it is intriguing. Understanding the market can bring a measure of balance to the chaos and potentially lead to favorable outcomes and returns. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the financial market and hopefully a place to start on your own investing journey.

At its heart, investing is putting money (or capital) into an asset or entity (like a company share) with the intent to make a profit. The entity uses your invested money to finance its activities to generate income which is shared with you via income or an increase in value. While investing offers great opportunities to generate wealth, the accompanying risk requires skillful navigation to balance the risk/ reward relationship. Add in the myriad of investment

options available in the market coupled with the need for a unique solution for your own specific investment goals, whether it be retirement, education or home ownership - and the process can get daunting, quickly. Let us keep it simple and focus on the three most common instruments which should be present in your portfolio, and probably make up most of your portfolio - bonds, stocks and mutual funds.

Bonds offer fixed and stable income as the issuer is required to make scheduled interest and principal payments similar to you providing a loan to the issuer. When investing in bonds the primary risk you must consider is credit risk - the risk that the issuer will not be able to make payments according to the agreed terms. Continuous monitoring of the issuer’s financial position and performance can provide you with insights on the issuer’s ability to meet their debts when they fall due.

Investing in stocks offers variable income that is dependent on the performance of the company. A stock is an ownership stake in the issuing company.

Choosing the right company to invest in, is an interesting and enlightening process that entails understanding the company’s value proposition. This includes how the company is performing, its industry position, its competitive position and opportunities for its growth. Choosing the right stock can offer you significant returns. However, bear in mind that those returns are not guaranteed.

Lastly, mutual funds offer you the opportunity to seamlessly purchase an all-in-one solution which is managed by a professional investment firm. Since mutual funds pool money from multiple investors, it means that you now have access to instruments you would not have been able to acquire on your own. Anyone can be an investor. What will distinguish you is how strategic and well informed you are; your understanding or your risk tolerance and how this all fits into your investment goals. Whether you are investing in bonds, stocks or mutual funds, before making any investment decision, ensure that you appreciate that reward is always accompanied with risks in the market.

St. Marthe Darnvi

Exploring Saint Lucia’s Gems

Darnvi St Marthe always wanted to make sure that in all his ventures he was doing something that he enjoyed. With a background in the hospitality industry, Darnvi nurturedP his creativity and innovation and eventually took his hobby of adventure and discovering new, fascinating places in Saint Lucia and made it a flourishing business.

“Saint Lucia is always full of surprises and the main goal is always making sure that the customer is satisfied and is experiencing something new.” Here is everything the founder of 758 Excursions, Darnvi St.Marthe, had to share about his journey of showing everything St.Lucia has to offer.

Who is the face behind 758 excursions?

Darnvi: I am the face of 758 Excursions. I have been a chef for over 20 years, well-established in the industry. I am also a family person – married with two kids. I was born and raised in Babonneau. When I do the tours, I am usually quiet, just observing and supervising the activities while my team takes care of the group and creating the experience for them. My passion is what I’m doing right now - unique things, different from the norm, discovering places, building stuff like transport vehicles.

Tell us about your journey as a chef…

Darnvi: I started working at Corbones (an Italian restaurant) washing dishes as a summer job, while still going to secondary

school. I always admired how creative chefs could be. I was always looking over the chef’s shoulder to learn as much as possible. In form 5, I received an offer to become a cook at the same restaurant. I then climbed up the ladder in the industry and became the Head Chef at Coco Palm. The position as Head Chef then became very demanding. While it was something that I enjoyed – I lost out on time with my family.

fun facts

Skydiving or deep sea diving?

Deep sea diving

If you could be a celebrity for a day, who would you be? I wouldn’t choose to be anybody else; I want to be me.

Choose one food to eat everyday for a year

Barbecue Chicken

What is your secret talent?

I'm really good at reading people and paying attention to my intuition.

How did you start off adventure seeking?

Darnvi: I started it as a hobby in my spare time. On my off days, I would go down to a village like Dennery, Micoud or anywhere that I might have heard has a spot and just explore it. I would engage with the community and ask them if they know about it and sometimes get lost on our journey finding the particular location. During those different adventures, we discovered a lot of different waterfalls, rivers and other nice locations to chill or cook at. In regards to developing the tours, I knew about the guys that did hiking tours (Father Nature) so I tried to do something different. I know that a lot of people want to go to nice spots around the island but don’t necessarily want to walk, so I thought that our vehicles could be the ones to take them to those spots. I thought that we could take you to places that no longer have a footpath or actual road access. We will bring the experience to you in a different way so that you don’t have to go through the hiking part of it, if you don’t want to. Our vehicles are built to handle the different environments and pressure of off roading.

What were some of the highlights along the way?

Darnvi: Friends and family would ask about where the best spots were but they would always get lost, so

I would usually just bring them on my own. I realised that some people may want to go to these locations but they don’t have the right vehicle and my vehicle might be filled, depending on how many friends or

family I have with me. Other friends would also ask about bringing their own family and friends to nice spots when they visit. So, I decided that I would get a second car for when they come to visit. The look on their faces when we got to the different locations made me so happy, and ultimately, made me realise that I could do this as a business. Honestly, it’s not really about making money but 758 Excursions wants to show Saint Lucians what they are missing out on in their own island.

What was your approach and strategy to growing your business to what it is today?

Darnvi: Well from the beginning, we knew that music would be an important part of the journey that people like. People know what they like and what they want to listen to. On our tours, we wanted to make sure that our clients had the option to customise their playlists and listen to whatever they wanted on their tour. This would help make sure that they could create the specific type of vibe that they want. We also try to keep our prices where we always break even, so our prices are reasonable to our clients. After the tour is done, we create customised videos with a song of the client’s liking and send it to them, so that they could post on their social media, if they wanted to. That’s mainly how we have been able to grow and gain exposure. As time goes by, we just keep investing more, getting more vehicles and just building on the business.

How do you deal with challenges on the job? Bad weather, vehicular issues and so on…

Darnvi: Most of our employees have experience in mechanics and all are equipped with tools and other supplies for our vehicles. Also, we try to have back up vehicles at most of our locations so that in the event of a breakdown, the vehicles can be interchanged if the problem can’t be fixed at the spot. However, in that circumstance, we always try to create a vibe so they don’t feel like their experience has been interrupted. We try to make sure our vehicles are serviced frequently and equipped with the right tires and so on, to avoid any challenges.

In terms of the weather, we always let customers know of upcoming bad weather and enquire as to whether they would like to reschedule or still continue their tour. Either way, we want to cater to the customer completely. So, if they are comfortable with a rainyday tour, we would let them know exactly what to expect during the tour and on our end, possibly

change the tour a bit to compensate for the bad weather. Rain or shine, we are always prepared to accommodate our customers and make sure that they enjoy themselves and the experience, regardless.

Do you ever run out of tours?

Darnvi: It may happen eventually, but St. Lucia is always full of surprises and I don't think we've gotten to that point yet. For Instance, there's a spot in Micoud that we've been having tours at quite frequently, so it's familiar to us at this point. Just when we thought that was it, we made an observation during a visit and noticed that as the waves were coming in, there was a buildup of water pressure that would make a blowhole effect. There's also a step down to the ocean and we realised a splash would happen repeatedly, so we decided to have people stand on a particular rock, where the splash would make for a beautiful video shot that looks amazing. That discovery made it a whole new experience. So, surprises like that make me realise that we won't run out of tours any time soon.

We also just try to create several options for add-ons to our packages. For example, our clients are able to hike to a cool spot, where they can camp overnight or enjoy a barbecue. That’s where I come in with my culinary background and create a catered party type of tour. We also offer games and other activities that our customers can do during their tours. Soon, we’ll be introducing an ATV component of the tour.

How would you advise someone who's contemplating venturing into this field of work?

Darnvi: Whatever you’re doing, make it unique. If anyone else tries to do the same thing it would not be the same because it requires your unique flare and personality. Also, whatever it is, be consistent. I would say don’t think about it as a money-making venture but ensure you’re passionate about it and always enjoy it. . When I do a tour, I too have a good time because of the different people I meet. The goal is always making sure everyone enjoys themselves, leaves satisfied and has a good time.

I would also recommend following up with your customers and asking them for feedback – both positive and negative. . Gaining that insight will serve as an opportunity for the tour to be enhanced and shows customers that you are committed to meeting and exceeding their expectations.

With so many adventures and experience under Darnvi’s belt, we wish him all the best in growing his business even more!

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Your Introduction to Reels and how they're Used

What are Reels?

Reels are entertaining, immersive videos where you can creatively express your brand’s story, educate your audience, and get discovered by people who may love your business. People use Reels to participate in cultural trends, collaborate with the community and discover new ideas.

Reels are full-screen vertical videos that can be up to 90 seconds long. They come with many unique editing tools and an extensive library of audio tracks (featuring everything from trending songs to snippets of other users' viral content). Reels are used on Instagram & Tik Tok.

What is the purpose of Reels?

The primary benefit of reels is to create Brand Awareness.

What is the difference between Tik Tok Reels & Instagram Reels?

The difference between Tik Tok & Instagram reels is that while Instagram Reels follow behind TikTok's video marketing strategy, the content between these two platforms differs. Whereas TikTok is loud, causal, and mostly occupied by Gen Z, Instagram Reels tend to be more mature, calm, and aesthetically pleasing.

Sitting to chat with Tessa, we could instantly feel her confidence and brilliance. Her attention to detail and pursuit of greatness is evident in every aspect of her life and especially her business. As for her business, she has invested a lot into the aesthetics of it; so that when you walk into her facility, you have no doubts that you’re in the right place and in capable hands. Before we got to the business of it, we had to know first…

fun facts

Favourite colour Red

Cheesecake or Ice cream I hate both, but cheesecake

Favourite Weekend Activity?

Drinking wine and enjoying a good party, I’m a big social butterfly

The Walking Billboard CLEMENT-DUARTE Tessa

Who is Tessa?

I’m a very dynamic, energetic, humble, very friendly, outgoing, party person… I love life and I respect all people and their lifestyle choices. I’m from Arundel Hill, Marchand. I attended Ave Maria Girls Primary and then Corinth Secondary. I did further schooling in aesthetics, massaging and facials in Barbados. I’ve also completed many courses in Europe and the US.

What is your field of expertise?

Massaging and aesthetics, and now body sculpting. I’ve been a massage therapist for over 20 years. I’ve owned several spas in St. Lucia. One of the most popular ones being Touch Therapy Day Spa, alongside the La Mer Spa at Bay Gardens Beach Resort. That experience has made me an expert at developing spas. I’m one of the first Saint Lucians to develop a high end spa in Saint Lucia, that’s made for locals. Meaning that it’s affordable, but the quality of service matches international standards.

When was your introduction to massage therapy?

My oldest sister Maureen Joseph. She was among the first set of people who learned massage therapy from Le Sport. My skill before leaving Saint Lucia to further my studies was in entertainment as I was a playmaker at Sandals. That’s not a skill I could really take overseas, which is why my sister recommended that I get into massage therapy which I later studied in Barbados. My first job when I returned home to Saint Lucia was in Soufriere at the spa at Hilton Resort.

Right now, when it comes to aesthetics, I am one of the best aestheticians. When it comes to thorough facials, I’m the best at that. I’m also the number one waxer on the island when it comes to brazilian, manzilian and any other kind of waxing you can think of. Being in the game for so long, I’m now looking to give back and educate others on my techniques, not just locally but also internationally. All of my services are my own design, not what I’ve learned at school. I

have customers coming from all over the world who can say that my services are the best that they’ve ever gotten.

How did you move from massage therapy into body sculpting?

Essentially it’s a non-surgical fat removal procedure. I noticed lots of companies in Miami (via Instagram) moving into body sculpting and so I wanted to hop on that bandwagon and be the first to do it here in Saint Lucia. In 2019, I launched a business that did exactly that. Because of covid restrictions in 2021 it didn’t really take off the way I wanted it to at first but I was persistent and things picked up later that year.

Since I’m always trying to evolve, I’m now working towards a Med Spa business. I do teeth whitening, and hopefully in the near future I can do Vitamin B shots, cocktail boosters and so on. What we’re aiming for is to be the first full-on med spa on the island. In the process of doing that I’m also pursuing TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) certification which is the highest grade. I should have been there a long time ago because I was one of the first set of people on the body before it even officially started. There were 3 spas that met the Bureau of Standards mark for certification, 2 of them were mine. Touch Therapy and Spa De La Mer were the first to receive that certification.

What are your methods for being able to scale your business from where it started to where it is now?

I always focus on my aim and my vision, and I always have a plan. I’m looking at evolving all the time, taking it to the next level. It’s important for me to keep up to date with what’s going on around me as well, so that I maintain a competitive edge. One of the ways I’ve done this is by creating facial towels. They are for an aesthetician by an aesthetician. Windjammer, The Green Fig Resort and other hotels have bought into them. I want to eventually be more of a retailer than a service provider, and this is just a start.

What other ventures are you a part of?

Soon I’ll be doing schooling both here and hopefully in Grenada through various companies like NSDC locally. I’ll be sharing my knowledge with others, I even have my textbooks readily available. I will be an ambassador and a section leader for a company called Island Tribe. I’m looking into having a boat ride soon that corresponds with my business, where this event is all about ‘the looks and the shape’S. I’m also interested in doing a “Win a new body” lotto. Where the winner

gets prize money to use in whatever way they want to create their dream body either through surgery or body sculpting… and the plan is to have it be a reality TV show as well so that we can follow the progress.

If you were to do your business any differently what would you have done? I wouldn’t have sold the name Touch Therapy, because

SHARMARK LEON

Determined to be a cut above the rest

Who Pays the Bill on a First Date?

Your first date with that person has been going so smooth, it just might be a total success. The conversation and drinks are flowing, the food is great, you both look good, no red flags are coming up for you. It’s nothing but vibes until the waiter turns up with the bill and there’s an awkward pause.. Who should pay the bill?

Back then, when social norms were very much, “the man is always the provider or breadwinner”, there would be no question of who pays the bill because it would always be “the man”. Now, things have changed and this conversation could be sensitive.

No need to worry though, we got you. Here are a few options you should consider when it comes to paying the bill.

The person who initiates the first date, pays the bill. Whether you’re a man or woman, whoever asked the other out, should go ahead and cover the bill.

This takes away all heteronormative standards and diminishes the potential awkward silence while waiting to see who pulls out their card. However, this could come with some drawbacks. For instance, it could create an expectation that whoever asks for the date continues to pay for all future dates (especially, if they are the one who initiates…). In this case, possibly having a conversation about what’s best for both of you, taking all things into consideration, could help both of you get on the same page, where you can possibly take turns paying for future dates.

Another option would be to split the bill on the first date. This option seems like an unproblematic, fair option. It also shows that each person is willing to put some level of investment into the budding relationship other than their undivided attention. On the other hand, most may say that this is the undesirable option. For some, it may seem like a tasteless option and may come across like the person who suggests splitting the bill may not be into the

other in a romantic way. Some say that with this option, it doesn’t equate to a romantic date and more of a friend date.

The rule of who pays the bill will always remain a conversation that isn’t black or white. However, there are definitely ways that could help eliminate the awkwardness after an amazing date.

1. Bring it up in the conversation beforehand.

Figure out between the both of you, who would pay for this first date and you can then figure out how to go about future dates, if there are any.

2. Choose a low cost first date.

Dates can be expensive which could very well be adding to the awkwardness of deciding who’s paying at the end of one. So, to alleviate some of the stress and awkwardness, maybe choose a low budget date to start off, for example, going to the movies or maybe an intimate sunset watching with a bottle of wine. You can always go on a more expensive date in the future.

Ultimately, it’s up to you and your date to decide which option suits you both. The question of who pays the bill on the first date will always be a tricky one but hopefully these options give you a little more perspective and ease, so the vibes on a good date never end.

Unspoken Rules in the Office

Office etiquette is a set of unwritten rules that guide behaviour in any workplace in order to uphold a company’s image and foster a work environment that promotes mutual respect for colleagues. Though these unwritten rules may vary depending on a company’s structure or culture, some sort of etiquette is always written in the fine print of any office.

Here are 6 unspoken rules that are usually constants in any office environment:

1. Be on time.

You’ve probably heard this one already but being on time can be thought of as the ultimate form of respect in the office. While this may vary depending on your country, where some may operate on being slightly late to everything (as with most Caribbean islands…), we still suggest that when in doubt, it’s always better to be on time. Remember, time wasted can never be regained, so be respectful of your colleagues and by extension, your organisation’s time.

2. Dress appropriately

Dress codes have recently become more relaxed since some companies have flexible working arrangements, where employees still work from home sometimes. Despite this blended approach, which naturally lends itself to wearing more comfortable attire, it’s important to maintain a level of professionalism, so be mindful of what you wear!

If you are starting a new job and you’re unsure of the expected attire, manage expectations and ask the question, so that you adhere to company policies and avoid unnecessary attention or embarrassment.

3. Acknowledge your team

Recognizing others is proper etiquette in any setting, whether it’s a casual or professional work environment. When a colleague or client enters the room, saying hello with a simple greeting or shaking hands shows that their presence is acknowledged and considered.

4. Respect shared spaces

In an office environment, it is inevitable to share common areas, for example, the bathroom or kitchen area. The way you treat these areas reflect on you personally and professionally, so it’s important to clean up after yourself and stay organised.

5. Understand your work environment

It’s important to observe and understand your environment so you are aware of what is appropriate. You will eventually learn the policies and values at your company but it’s useful to actively observe and research about your company so you’ll know your

way around. If your observations lead to uncertain conclusions, don’t hesitate to politely ask colleagues about existing norms.

6. Be mindful of how others work

Especially when working in an open office, knowing how everyone works can be beneficial and can show your respect and consideration for others. For instance, some may like working with blasting music whereas some may prefer silence. If you prefer listening to music, maybe using headphones (if permitted) will be the way to go.

These are some of the basics that you’d want to consider when it comes to unspoken rules in the office. Pay attention to these and you’ll be well on your way to fitting in with everyone else as part of the team.

The origins of 123 Digital Limited are much like the company’s approach to delivering high quality work; unconventional. After securing the Idea of the Year award at the St. Lucia Business Awards in 2013, founding members Rankin Morgan, Alana Morgan and Aldrin Henry realised that Dazzle Magazine needed an official company that would serve as an umbrella for handling their business… This is how 123 Digital Limited made its presence known.

The name suggests that for something to be done right, it must follow a systematic sequence; 1,2,3.

‘Digital’ because there has always been a massive focus on digital content as opposed to traditional media formats, like newspapers and radio. Some of the services that have established this company on the map are social media management, public relations, web development and design, app development, digital and hard copy designs (including magazines, annual reports) and more. Highlights include being the last agency in 2016 to conceptualise and design the layout and theme of the St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, as well as winning the bids to undertake the design and layout of the LUCELEC and Bank of Saint Lucia annual reports.

Throughout the last decade, there has been no shortage of trials to overcome. A young company backed by a young team had to earn its respect and its spot in the market. Despite the challenges that have come, the persistence and adaptability of the team behind the company has led to it overcoming the hurdles. As for what’s next? There’s only growth on the horizon… Happy 10th anniversary to 123 Digital Limited and Dazzle Magazine.

Here are a few fun facts about the team:

Rankin:

- Original dream job was to be a pilot

- His go to colour is blue

Tanisha:

- Streams live on Twitch

- She loves caffeine, always the first person at the office

Alana:

- Can watch Twilight over and over again

- Wore glasses since the age of 7

Imran:

- Plays the guitar

- He’s an English nerd, has been writing for Dazzle since form 5

Alkelan:

- She’s a calligraphy artist

- She’s a perfectionist, disappears to a mystic place at lunch time

Omar:

- Likes everything in twos (OCD)

- First ever intern as a photographer

Alanis:

- Favourite genre of music is dancehall

- She's the office princess and loves black

Aldrin:

- Everything is fun

- Always talks about accidents on the highway

Niquia:

- Was a vegan for 2 years

- Turns around in slow motion

SHARMARK LEON

Determined to be a cut above the rest

We got the opportunity to sit and converse with Shamark, owner of Sharmark Events & Designs and Koutwiyez, his fabric store. In our conversation we discussed the origins and details of his ventures as an entrepreneur. But before we got to the business of it, we started with a simple question…

Dazzle: How would you describe who Sharmark is?

I’d say Sharmark is an outgoing, God fearing person. I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and I believe that when you live it should be to the fullest, the sky's the limit. For me, looking back on my life it was a journey from nothing to something because I just kept reaching for the stars.

As a designer, I’d say I’m a cut above the rest. I don’t like people to say I’m one of the best designers though. I know for sure that I’m a very creative person because anyone can go find inspiration online but I’m not a ‘copy and paste’ designer. I like to come up with things people haven’t seen, and I believe that that’s what keeps you in the loop so that people don’t get tired of what you produce.

Dazzle: When was your introduction to design?

Like I always tell my friends, I didn’t choose it, design chose me. I wasn’t even aware that there was something called event planning. I grew up less fortunate with 4 siblings but still, because of my personality I’d always change the furniture around and do different things.

At age 17 I started working at Valmont as a potter. My supervisor at the time, Mary Edwards who is

now Mrs. Springer used to do merchandising for Valmont and I remember being fascinated when I saw the show windows. She made me do the show window and I used lots of different materials to make it look really good. Unfortunately they broke into the show window that same night because of how attractive it was. From then I started doing the show windows for no additional pay, until I got promoted to merchandiser and later to Marketing Manager. It was at that juncture I realised I wanted more career wise.. Eventually I fooled around and got fired but it was the best thing to happen to me. I ended up renting from my former employers for a couple years but now I have my own thing. At the time the space I rented was for the event planning company. I was actually paying the rent for the fabric store for 2 years before I even set it up, that’s how much I believed in the idea.

Dazzle: How did the fabric store get started? I was doing my own little survey and I noticed that there were only two major players in the industry. My store isn’t just for fabric, it’s called Koutwiyez (seamstress in St. Lucian French Creole) and it’s something that connects with the people, being from our own tongue. It also stands out in that what we offer is a little more high fashion and expensive for middle to upper class clientele I think it’s very important to engage customers when they come in, even if they’re not buying. The experience really makes the difference. We try to move with the times and the events so that we can bring in things to accommodate them.

Dazzle: Who is your primary target audience? For events we try to cater to everybody and not take any job for granted. I like to go the extra mile, and it pays off because people have become familiar with my

style and my product. Even for something like Jounen Kwyol, I don’t just use madras material. I try to infuse our culture by using bamboo, fig leaves and so on. I just try to let my imagination run wild.

For 25 years I’ve been designing and I hear people say that the new younger designers will take over… but for me, I’m my own brand and I’m a diva. Brands like Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein have been around when we were growing up and people are still making a fuss about it because these companies are keeping up with the times and that’s what I plan to do..

Dazzle: What are your greatest achievements?

That my main clientele is always government based, I believe I’ve worked for every government entity in Saint Lucia… others include Sagicor, CDF, M&C Drugstore among others. I always introduce my personality when I’m going for a job. I also don’t take more than I can handle because I want to be present at every job I take. Sometimes you send someone on your behalf and the person who hired you doesn’t feel as comfortable with them, you know? Making friends with my clients is also a big deal for me as I also learn from them.

Dazzle: What are the challenges that you face and how do you overcome them?

For me the challenge was poverty. From growing up as a young man, not having a secondary school education. My mother would always say “education isn’t always brains”, some people have degrees but can’t understand the simplest things. So I always open myself to learn, and I wouldn’t say I’m street smart, but I surround myself with people that will have an impact on me… there is something to learn from everyone I meet. .

Growing up we never went to bed hungry, we might’ve had bread and sweet water or sweet rice. Guess what, if you’re growing up in the islands and that’s all you know, to you that’s a five course meal. It’s only when you get older you learn about other things that you don’t have. But at the end of the day you appreciate what you have. Now, if I don’t have, I understand how to deal with it. I haven’t forgotten where I came from, if I have to help out my siblings or my mom I do it. The level of respect I get now because of my business has been great.

As for other challenges I’d say none because I got my visa by myself, registered my businesses, I’ve been to Miami on business, I’ve done conferences and so much more and it’s so comforting that when my clients call me, everything is set and they know that I’ll deliver.

At this stage, it’s not just about getting one set of money, but doing a good enough job that it puts a smile on someone else’s face and it gets me another job, and then another.

Dazzle: What advice would you give to your younger self when you were starting off? At the end of the day, the challenges make you who you are, so I don’t know if I would want to hide or change my past. I appreciate the family I was raised in but maybe I wouldn’t mind having a golden spoon… but then if I had that I wouldn’t have been interested in design.

I think I’d say to believe in yourself a little more, don’t let anyone discourage you… even with my fabric store people asked why would I want to run competition with other well established businesses?. I know what I wanted so I was never a follow fashion person who got jealous. I want that when I’m gone people will still be talking about me.

With so much going for him already, we wish Sharmark all the success that he’s working towards in his various ventures!

fun facts

Go-to genre of music?

Dancehall

Favourite local festival?

Jazz festival because I make the most money lol

Favourite colour?

Black

Natural beat or glam?

Natural beat

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Crumble Apple

1.5 kg Mixed Apples

150g Brown Sugar

1 Lemon

INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 200 ° C / 400 ° F.

50g Unsalted Butter

100g Plain Flour

• Peel and core the apples, then quarter and chop into chunks.

• Place in a saucepan on a medium heat with 100g of sugar and a few fine gratings of lemon zest.

• Pop the lid on and cook for 5 minutes, or until the apples have softened. Remove the heat and leave to cool a little.

• Cube the butter and place in a mixing bowl with the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs, then mix in the remaining sugar to add a little texture.

• Transfer the apples to a baking dish and sprinkle over the crumble topping.

• Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Serve with ice cream for a delicious blend!