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Issue 9
In the Spotlight:
Teige La Borde
Successful Event Designer & Virtuoso! Make Business Networking Work for You Living a Dream –
Tennail ThomasWolff’s Fascinating Journey Through Dance
Sean Compton Architecture is my Passion
Michael Robinson
R&B Star – Walking by Faith on the Road to Success Try me!
Choosing the Right Phone for Mobile Gaming
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coming soon app Using Facebook to market your business $PEL $PSOLğHG His journey to the top
Fiona Compton The Photographer
Issue 1
St. Lucia Youth Business Trust
Meet Crystian Alexander
Dancing Princess Shines in The Lion King
Issue 2
St. Lucia Youth Business Trust
Wins Praise from Young Entrepreneurs
Increase Business From Your Inbox
Jermile Daniel Still Business Hungry As The Cell Turns 10
The Right Tie COLOUR
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St. Lucia Youth Business Trust Are you Linkedin?
Teddyson John
A Born Musician
Try me!
Issue 6
Romance at the 2IŵFH *RRG RU Bad? The Sky’s the Limit for High-Jump Star
Is Emergency Contraception Safe?
Darnell Boxill Finds the Ideal Food Solution - Aquaponics
Jamie A. Peterkin Olympian and Coach Extraordinaire
Jeannelle Scheper
Super-Athlete
Makeba Alcide’s
Aiming for Olympics
DJ Barrie Hype: Shaking up the Music World
Try me!
Behold, the Power of Twitter! Part II
Superman HD
From Humble Beginnings to Stardom
IA
Issue 4
fac ebo ok.
Prenatal or Antenatal Care All You Need to Know
Latoya Lewis Glitz & Glamour Galore
Hustle and Flow with Rapper
Filbert Salton “Kayo”
Filmmaker Extraordinaire
Do You Know the Facts About Your Allergy?
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A Rising Star in St. Lucian Business
Taribba Joan
même bete
Junior R. Joseph
Building beyond the Mind’s Eye
Johann Deterville
Music in his veins Try me!
Try me!
com /da
In the Sp
zzle the ma
g
otl
Teige ight: La Bo Successfurde
Issue 9
Designe l Event Virtuoso!r & Make Bu Networkinsiness for You g Work
HAPPY
TH INDE 34
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Latoya Mitchell
Michelle Serieux INT LUC SA
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Darcel Frederick
All About the
NDENCE PE
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Seasons Greetings Protect Your Children From Impetigo
Julian Biscette
High-Flying Volleyball Star Has an Eye on the Big Leagues Ginger: A Wonder Healer
Sir Lancealot Knight of the DJ Round Table
Debbie KhodraJames weaves more than just another stylish curl
Issue 7
Coaks
St. Lucia’s Undisputed King of Comedy
Dale Elliott
‘UNTOLD STORIES touching hearts and changing lives!
Roberta Polius -Desir
Young, Empowered and Savvy and Making a Difference in Business Try me!
Living a
Dream –
Tenn Thomaails Wolff’s -
Fascinatin Through g Jour ney Dance
Sean Compto n
Arch my Paitesscture is ion
now available Choosin Right Ph g the Mobile Gaone for ming
Micha Robinsoel n R&B
Star –W Faith on alking by the Ro to Succesad s Try me!
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A
few weeks ago I had the pleasure of conversing with a few young and inspiring individuals at the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports National Youth Award ceremony. They were all enthusiastic and energetic, and clearly very dedicated and willing to assist others in their community. It was a joy to learn about their achievements over the past year and to know that their voluntary work did not go unrecognised. The award winners definitely deserved their accolades on the Big Night. It was quite inspiring to see the youth come together, all of them united in their determination to excel and uplift their communities through the various projects they have been championing, despite the many obstacles they’ve encountered. They were not motivated by the promise of monetary gain but by sheer passion and their commitment to service. It has been said that passion is pure energy. It energises everything and everyone around you and it transfers into whatever you’re doing, leading to positive results. Just imagine what can be achieved when a group of people come together with a common passion and a common purpose, putting all their efforts into accomplishing a common goal. We could move mountains! In this issue, Dazzle Magazine continues to feature young, talented Saint Lucians who are very passionate about what they do. We’re spotlighting Tennail Thomas-Wolff who aspired to be a dancer from the age of five and is now the proud owner of Motion Studios; Saint Lucia R & B star, Michael Robinson who started his musical journey as a backup singer in church; Sean Compton whose work is inspired by the firm belief that architecture must be true to the environment and should embrace energy-saving techniques in design and technology - and lastly, Teige La Board who is living her dream and, as a professional, keeps on reaching for higher heights with her own event planning and design company, Azuk Events. With that said, I wish everyone happy read and I encourage you to check us out on Facebook and like our Facebook page www. facebook.com/dazzlethemag.com Rankin Morgan’s wardrobe has been provided by Studio MIA. Facebook.com/shopstudioMIA
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. R&B Star Michael Robinson Walking by Faith on the Road to Success 24. In the Spotlight: Teige La Borde - Successful Event Designer & Virtuoso! 32. Living a Dream - Tennail Thomas-Wolff's Fascinating Journey Through Dance 40. Sean Compton - Architecture is my passion
The 411
38. Choosing the Right Phone for Mobile Gaming
Mastering Marketing
28. Changing the Way You Think of Reaching Customers
Professional Progress
14. Make Business Networking Work for You
Publisher Rankin Morgan Editor Tony Williams Sales & Marketing Alana M.I Morgan Art Director Aldrin Henry Contributors Reginald Andrew Dahna Jn Charles David E.M. DuBoulay Mindy Luquiana Chicot Minerva King Donnelly John Neil Joseph Gareth Jules Alana M.I. Morgan Zaya Nubia Studio MIA
22. How to Find Inspiration & Discover Your Life's Purpose
Photography Aldrin Henry Kerol Marius Alana M.I. Morgan
Health & Fitness
Accountants BDM Consulting
Inspirational Corner
12. Going Bananas 20. Coping with Grief and Loss 28. Get Rid of Ingrown Hair the Natural Way
Issue 9
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In the Spotlight:
Style & Fashion
35. Studio MIA Summer Look
Gadget & Gizmos 44. Kindle Fire HDX
Eating In
46. Cauliflower Pizza
Out & About
48. Out & About
50. Hon. John Compton
Teige La Borde
Successful Event Designer & Virtuoso! Make Business Networking Work for You Living a Dream –
Tennail ThomasWolff’s Fascinating Journey Through Dance
Sean Compton Architecture is my Passion
Michael Robinson
R&B Star – Walking by Faith on the Road to Success Try me!
Choosing the Right Phone for Mobile Gaming
On the Cover Tennail Thomas-Wolff
contact us
40
For more information visit us at www.dazzlethemag.com or call us at 758.452.0123
24
32
16
//Feature
Thomas -Wolff’s pg. 32
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Going Bananas! By Alana M.I. Morgan
B
ananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world for good reason. They have many health benefits and they can be a great snack addition to your diet. In fact, after reading this article, you’ll never look at a banana the same way again. A medium banana contains 110 calories and provides 30 grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of fiber. Bananas also contain a type of carbohydrate which is a starch that is resistant to digestion but it helps you feel fuller longer. Here are some reasons why you should include bananas in your diet. Suppress your appetite by simply smelling it According to the findings of a study by the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, smelling certain foods when you are hungry can trick you brain into thinking that you’ve actually eaten them. One of those foods is bananas. If that’s not enough to convince you that you can enjoy bananas while losing weight, smell one next time you feel hungry.
They’re Natural Performance Enhancers There’s a reason why most of the world’s leading athletes love bananas. Bananas are a perfect fuel for athletes because they not only provide the carbs your 12 DAZZLE
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muscles need, they have the antioxidants that can help speed up recovery. They Give you a Boost of Vitamin C When most people think of Vitamin C, it’s usually oranges and strawberries that come to mind. However, a serving of bananas provides 15 percent of the daily requirement for vitamin C. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps neutralise damaging free radicals and keeps systemic inflammation at bay. It also helps produce collagen that holds muscles, bones and other tissues together. In addition, it helps keep blood vessels healthy and aids with the body’s absorption of iron and folate. Provides blood-pressure-lowering potassium A medium banana has 422 mg potassium while being sodium-free. Various studies show that those who have diets rich in potassium are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure and have reduced risk for stroke. Adults need 4,700 milligrams of potassium a day, so a medium banana provides nearly 10 percent of the daily requirement. They Make You Feel Happy How about having a banana to help you feel peachy? A small banana provides 27 mg magnesium, which can help brighten your mood and keep you from feeling blue. Men and women need 420 mg and 320 mg of magnesium per day, respectively. Low levels of this mineral are linked to depression, anxiety, irritability and other mood disorders. Since many of us don’t get enough magnesium in our diets, consider a banana as your chill pill.
pg. 16
//Feature
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DAZZLE 13
Make Business Networking Work for You – 5 Tips
helps you connect with persons or prospective clients whom you may have had difficulty reaching as a result of barriers such as a lack of an intermediary.
by Gareth S Jules
T
he Merriam Webster Dictionary defines networking as the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions, cultivating productive relationships for employment and business opportunities. Note well that it is not the linking of computers in a work area to perform business functions. If you look at the word NETWORKING closely you will realise that it comprises of two words: ‘net’ and ‘working’. It can be interpreted as working to build (or net) your catch of opportunities. The act of networking involves developing business relationships, obtaining new clients through referrals and developing sales and investment opportunities. Networking is a marketing tool that allows you to build useful personal and business connections. It also 14 DAZZLE
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In today’s globalised economy a company is helpless if it doesn’t have the ability or the right attitude to grow its customer base and thereby its profit margins. People have various wants and needs and sometimes they cannot find the right company to satisfy those needs. Through networking people can form connections with other persons who have had a satisfying (or dissatisfying) experience with a particular company and be influenced by those persons’ feelings toward that company. Great customer service is therefore an essential aspect of building your customer base and also for successful business networking.
The following are five valuable tips for successful business networking. • Differentiate Yourself If you are trying to outdo your competitors
DISTRIBUTED BY
in marketing your products or services, few, if any, potential clients or investors will pay attention to you if you are just like the others. Be a cut above the rest and you will be surprised at the number of persons who will gravitate toward your business because it is UNIQUE. • Integrity and Credibility Your trustworthiness and reputation are key. In business you need to have a good image and rapport with your existing customers in order to build your base. Potential customers need to have confidence in your business and feel that they can trust you. They also need to feel a sense of security in their transactions with your company. If your company constantly makes mistakes and delivers a poor experience to its existing customers this will diminish your integrity and credibility. • Be Positive and Confident When interacting with prospective clients, ensure that you are confident and let it show in your speech. Also, make sure that you are well informed about your products and services. If you are unsure of yourself and your ability to deliver, how can you expect clients to want to do business with you or your company, or recommend your
business to others? Staying positive and confident without being cocky, always works. • Plan, Aim and Target In business one needs to plan. This helps you to determine what you want to achieve and deal with the questions of who, what, when, where and why. Such questions will always arise and it is essential that you are prepared and able to answer them thoroughly. Your plan must also address ways of determining your prospective clients’ beliefs, values, interests, geographic location, the size of a particular market segment and specific sectors. All these factors are crucial for securing a strong customer base. • Follow Up When making contacts, ensure that you follow up with them to secure the transaction. In many cases the people or companies you contacted may be so busy, they might have forgotten about their introduction to you. Be sure to obtain contact information during your interaction with them. Networking will produce positive results once you do the necessary follow-ups. Remember, good relationships built on personal integrity and trust can result from following up on any progress you have made while networking.
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DAZZLE 15
by Dahna Jn Charles
H
is talent is undeniable, his charm is unquestionable, he radiates humility and this hits you the moment you meet him. Michael Robinson is out to get you. He’s coming to serenade you and give you butterflies in your stomach, even make you blush in the company of that special someone. Originally from Grande Riviere, Gros-Islet, Michael’s musical career, like most greats, began in the church. He began as a backup singer in his church, the Streams of Power Ministries at age seven. He is part of a legacy of musicians and singers starting from his late grandfather who was the church pastor and a musician. Positive reviews drove Michael to believe that his talent wasn’t just for the altar but something to be shared with us all. To date he has recorded two popular hits and ten original songs and over the years he has worked with many of St. Lucia’s leading artistes and he’s currently working with several others. As to whom they are, Michael doesn’t want to spill the beans yet. Michael performed at the 2014 St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival at Jazz at Baywalk and the main-stage show on May 10. Dazzle caught up with him and got the opportunity to learn more about his life and musical career. Dazzle: What inspired you to get into the music industry? Michael: I’ve always had music around me. My family was heavily involved in music in the church,
//Feature 16 DAZZLE
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starting with my late grandfather who was the pastor. He played the guitar and most of the other instruments available. He mentored my father who became a guitarist and my uncle who played the bass. My mom was a lead singer in the church as well. Music has always been a part of me so it isn’t about random inspiration. My passion, my vocal range and love for music grew rapidly as I grew older. I found joy and happiness in music so it became my medicine. Dazzle: At what age did you really start taking music seriously? Michael: Around age fifteen, I got some good reviews as a backup singer in church. At that time I knew that I was destined to perform and sing because of all the positive feedback I got from people. Although I didn’t see it in myself initially, everyone around me, my family and my friends, saw that special talent in me so I embraced it. In 2007 I was approached by Coy Francois to do a gospel show called GosFest to open for international Grammy-award winners, the gospel duo, Mary Mary at Saamans Park. It was from then I realised that I should really take this seriously. Dazzle: Which international artistes do you consider to be a source of inspiration? Michael: Michael Jackson will be number one for me. I have watched mostly all the videos of his performances and became really engrossed in his art. He has been my main influence from my youth. Ne-Yo has also been very influential. I find that his music and writing are amazing and out of this world so I take time to study his writing methods. Others like Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Boys II Men, Joe, Jah Cure, Sherwin Gardner, Papa San. I would say that my inspiration is a mixture and fusion of genres from dancehall to gospel, reggae and R&B, even as far as country music. Dazzle: What was the first song you recorded professionally and how was the experience? Michael: It was Real Man featuring Nathan ‘Infinate’ Deterville. Prior to that I did amateur recordings on my own on my computer, uploaded them to Facebook and did my own promotion. This led to Johann ‘Yogi’ Deterville contacting me and inviting me to work with him. It was a good experience. I was a bit nervous but I decided to give it a shot. I got some good reviews and some bad ones. There were more good than bad but the whole experience was a learning one for me. While I was
pleased with the positive feedback, I appreciated the bad reviews because those are the ones you learn from and I used them to improve myself and grow. Dazzle: What are you doing to make an impression and establish ‘Michael Robinson’ as a relevant artiste in Saint Lucia? Michael: As a new artist I have so much work to do and only a small percentage of it is actually writing music. There’s a need to gain increasing attention from fans and supporters. They need to know what I’m doing from the starting line and see the end results. They need to see me moving forward, so we’re talking pictures, posts, tweets. I am keeping very close contact with my supporters because without them, I can’t succeed as an artiste. I believe in maintaining high levels of consistency and I think this is one aspect of my musical career that people would notice and appreciate because from that they can see how serious I am about the music business. I’ve been contacted by quite a number of people. I recall the days when I used to sit on my couch wishing that one day I could meet those same people. Currently I’m doing work with Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with and doing backup for Irvin ‘Ace’ Loctor at last year’s Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, at one of the main-stage shows. I’ve also worked with Shayne Ross, Francis “Leebo” De Lima, Stephen Mathurin, Philbert ‘Kayo’ Salton, Johann Deterville, Francheska Solomon, Danyl Daniel, Luther Francois and so many more, all of whom have maintained contact with me and are assisting as they can to help propel my career forward. Dazzle: Can you share your 2014 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival experience? Michael: When I saw my name on the list of performers I was like “YES LAWD!” It was an overwhelming feeling because this is something I’ve always wanted to participate in. My experience this year is one that I will surely cherish for a long time. I performed at “Jazz at Baywalk” which was well received by a large audience and on Saturday’s main stage which was a dream come true. Not only did I perform in front of thousands but I also had the privilege of having Barbara Cadet play on my set. I also had the opportunity to perform at “Jazz on the Grill”. Dazzle: How has the journey to becoming a recording artiste impacted your life?
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DAZZLE 17
Michael: Music has always been an essential factor in my life. Not only is it one of my biggest influences, it also defines who I am. One thing I must mention is that it has helped to mold me into the person I am today. It has also shown me the true colours of people whom I thought were on my side and for that I am thankful. There’s a saying that when God starts to bless you, that’s when you get to know who your real friends are. On my journey I have had to experience this for myself. My confidence level and my popularity have also risen. People stop me everywhere and I am always thankful and ready to engage them in conversation like I’ve known them for years.
me to do strictly gospel music but my parents have respected that I chose to do R&B as well as other genres and I appreciate them so much for that. I believe that I need to do this for my mom as well. In 2012 I almost lost her. Her life was almost taken by a reckless motorcyclist and as a result she still hasn’t fully recovered from some lingering paralysis. The fact that I still get the opportunity to hear such joy and happiness in this woman’s voice when she calls me from work to tell me that my songs are on radio, gives me that instant drive to continue. Not forgetting my dad who is the greatest mentor and my biggest critic because if the music is not good, there’s no way on earth I’m releasing it.
Dazzle: What are you doing to remain grounded throughout this entire process? Michael: God is my foundation. I was always taught to be humble in everything I do, put God first and give thanks to any and everyone who has helped me and to never push anyone down to bring myself up. I’ve been doing this for a long time and I’ve been extremely patient. It can be depressing at times but I try to remain focussed and have faith that everything will turn out fine. I must say devotion with my family every Monday is what keeps me focussed.
Dazzle: Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Michael: I want to be touring, spreading love and positive, feel-good music to the rest of the world. In the next five years, I see myself headlining shows and events. I also see myself giving back to communities and the less fortunate. I have already started a charity venture with Desiree Chalmessin called ‘Our Future’ focussing on equipping and helping young offenders and youths who are at risk. The aim is to guide them to make good choices and assist them in fulfilling their dreams.
I start the day with God and I end with Him. I put everything in His hands. My family and friends have been the main driving force in my musical career. My parents are popular heads in the church, so many people would expect
fun facts
Shirley Biscuits or Crix Crackers? Shirley Biscuits- coconut If you had to be a superhero who would you be? Superman What time do you wake up on a morning? 6:30 a.m. What is your least favourite ice-cream? All sorbet, any sorbet Single, taken or complicated? I plead the 5th... Hallelujah
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Dazzle: Who are you at your core? Michael: My core is Love, Positivity, Compassion, Loyalty. I strive to exude all those components through my music. I want people to learn to respect themselves, to love each other genuinely; to accept the imperfections in their partners and learn to help and motivate each other.
In the Spotlight:
- Successful Event Designer & Virtuoso! pg. 24
//Feature
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DAZZLE 19
Coping with Grief and Loss by Dr. Minerva King
L
ife is dynamic and the only constant is change. During the course of our lifetime, we normally form relationships and strong bonds of love and friendship. However, those relationships and attachments can be broken or disrupted for various reasons, including a chronic or terminal illness, natural disasters, divorce or separation, the loss of a job or income, drug addiction, incarceration or death, to name a few. Each of the foregoing can be a serious source of grief to those affected. Most people will grieve at some point in their life. How the individual deals with that grief will depend on their level of maturity and the support systems that are available to them, including family, friends, a counsellor or psychologist. In her 1969 book ‘On Death and Dying,’ Swiss-American psychiatrist, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross proposes that there are five stages of grief that we normally go through during times of loss or bereavement. Not everyone 20 DAZZLE
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goes through all the five stages of the grieving process. Most will go through at least two or more and each person spends different lengths of time working through the various stages of grief. Moreover, many people do not experience the stages in the order listed below. There is no clear demarcation between each of the five stages. Some people alternate by reverting to one or more stages before finally arriving at a peaceful acceptance of the loss or tragedy. Knowing those five stages of grief can help you cope with the ordeal. There is no way of knowing how long someone’s grief may last. It may take days, weeks, months or even years; it can’t be rushed. Whatever the cause of your grief, just know that, like everything else, this too shall pass. Let’s look at the five stages of grief and consider how people go through each stage.
Denial This first stage of grieving helps us to survive the loss. We are in a state of shock, we go numb. We ask how can we bear this and why should we have to go on? At this point the world may seem meaningless and overwhelming. The reality that the loss has occurred is subdued. Anger The individual realises that the denial cannot continue. They start asking: Why me? Who is to blame? How can this happen? During this stage anger may be directed towards family, close friends or at themselves. They find it difficult to cope. When dealing with such an individual it is essential to remain detached, objective and nonjudgmental. Bargaining At this stage the individual hopes that in some way they can postpone or delay the cause of their grief or some miraculous event may occur to reverse the loss. They may try to negotiate with a higher power. They may say “I’ll do anything” to try and mitigate their loss or change the situation.
Depression During this fourth stage the grieving person realises that the loss has occurred and cannot be changed. He or she may be withdrawn, silent or cry during this period but essentially they have begun to accept the situation. The celebrated American author and essayist, William Styron noted that “in depression the faith in deliverance, in ultimate restoration is absent.” Getting past this point of despair and realising that it will not last forever, is essential to the healing process.
Acceptance In this final stage the individual comes to terms with the loss, death or tragic circumstance that has occurred and accepts it. He/she may say: “It’s going to be ok”; “I can’t fight it, I may as well prepare for it.” Ultimately, grief or the act of grieving can be characterised in two ways: Productive Grief- The individual has gone through the stages and the healing process has begun. A healthy life may develop, inspiring that individual to focus on the positives even, at times, reminiscing on the good that resulted from the loss or tragic event. They have been able to channel their energies and redirect their focus to a more hopeful outlook. Non-productive Grief (corrosive grief). The grieving person has not developed a positive outlook and most times remains in a state of depression or extreme hopelessness. Some individuals at this stage may have no faith in deliverance and ultimate restoration. At times like this, it is important to be aware of the individual’s living environment and determine if it is necessary that they seek help through counselling, psychotherapy and, in extreme cases, medication if the depressive state reaches clinical depression and results in acts of self harm or sabotage. Remember that coping with loss and learning how to deal with disappointment is indeed growth-promoting when done under the right conditions. On the other hand, hanging tough and refusing to seek help when faced with overwhelming pain (physical or emotional) is potentially harmful to the individual and can even pose a danger to the society. Note: If you have been struggling with an issue or feel the need to speak to someone, please do not hesitate to seek help. In St. Lucia there are psychologists, counsellors, priests and pastors and medical doctors available to help you cope with grief and loss.
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DAZZLE 21
How to Find Inspiration & Discover Your Life’s Purpose by Zaya Nubia
“A
dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work”. – Colin Powell.
Kudos to the organisers and performers of the recently concluded 2014 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival! Once again, the event was a phenomenal success. Year after year the festival has proven to be a focal point of inspiration, showcasing the creativity, flair, innovation and artistic brilliance of Saint Lucia’s singers, musicians, designers and all the other artistes 22 DAZZLE
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who help to make the event such a mind-blowing display of talent and splendor. Now that the festival is over, does it mean this is the end of our source of inspiration? Some of us believe that in order to feel inspired, one has to be an artist, an intellectual or a gifted person; someone with exceptional abilities. To these individuals I say.....Stop! These are limiting thoughts and beliefs; stumbling blocks in your way preventing you from discovering your natural abilities and expressing your creativity.
Just for a moment, take some time to do an inventory of your limiting beliefs. For example, do you tell yourself, “I’m not good enough…I come from a poor family…I can’t read …I don‘t have a degree.” This barrage of limiting thoughts impedes your forward movement and keeps you from fulfilling your true purpose in life. Replace each one with a positive thought and remove the mental obstacles which prevent you from realising your full potential. To be truly inspired you must first have an intention and then allow your Spirit to become still for a moment, free of distractions. At this point you enter into a state of what seems like ... nothingness. Be gentle with the Self – the inner you - waiting, surrendering and trusting the outcome. Persevere with the process as it intensifies, shaping itself in the shadow as it bubbles, contorts, stirs, exhales… then unexpectedly, an almighty explosion as it reveals itself. The solution to a problem, a work of art, a composition, the birthing of your unique expression. Starting today, move to the rhythm of your dreams. Let your imagination soar with no limitations, capturing the experience with all your senses. Allow your spirit to flow, to flex, to dance, and scream as you surrender to your Inner Light.
Upon your return, plan your steps to fulfill your dream … one step at a time. Be the magician in your Life.
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DAZZLE 23
In the Spotlight:
- Successful Event Designer & Virtuoso! by Mindy Luquiana Chicot
A
s a young woman Teige La Borde always wanted to make it big in the creative arts and design industry. Along the way to achieving her dream she succeeded in gaining valuable skills and business experience, and in the process she opened her own event planning and design services company, Azuk Events. It was established in 2012. Azuk is Teige’s middle name. Her desire to distinguish her company and create a unique design experience reflects her determination to redefine the creative arts services with the emphasis on professionalism. Teige La Borde, 24, is originally from Independence City, Entrepot. She attended the Ave Maria Primary and St. Joseph’s Convent and studied business administration at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC). On leaving school she did an internship at Landmark Events as a junior production assistant. Eight months later she landed a job at LUCELEC as a corporate communications assistant. There she gained a good grasp of marketing and customer-service relations. She later worked for Awesome Caribbean Weddings and also did a few projects on her own, including organising parties. Teige was happy to chat one-on-one with Dazzle magazine about her creative goals and ideals and to share her views on the exciting world of creative arts and design.
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Dazzle: How did you come up with this business idea? Teige: I think that my journey through school and through life helped me to define the angle and approach from which I should channel my creative thoughts and emotions. I enjoyed watching design-related programs on TV and doing research, and from that I became convinced that I should enter the field of event design. I wanted to be a part of the artistic process of creating special moments, so I said to myself, ‘Yeah! I want to open my own business and do events planning and design.’ Dazzle: Did you gain enough confidence in yourself at that time to take the risk of opening your own business? Teige:I had enough confidence and thought about what it would be like to take the risk, and I had no doubts. Taking the risk itself was a scary experience when I decided to leave a good paying job to start my own business. But deep within me there was a strong desire to explore my talent, not just simply start a business. I really didn’t want to merely fit into the box of any creative realm, but to do my own thing and feel free to create. Dazzle: Can you briefly explain the services that you offer? Teige: My company offers event planning, coordination, management and design services. This includes corporate events, weddings, parties and also an extended portfolio of home and office decor. We touch on various aspects of design. Something new that we are exploring is visual merchandising. Visual merchandising is really big internationally, where you get elaborate displays of your product, including window displays. We are looking at this as the next step to launch and show Saint Lucians that they can do a lot with the products that they have. I believe Saint Lucia is ready for the marketing aspect of events. However, locally when people think of events they usually think of a wedding planner; and when they think of a designer, they think of a decorator. The reality is there is that balance where we have to work in correlation with the marketing departments of various companies to help them achieve their ultimate goal. In the same way that they are looking to enhance their company’s image at an event, so are we. Our focus is not just on executing a well-planned event. We try to embrace your brand and its identity, and anything that we do
is a representation of not just us but is in sync with the brand expectation. Ultimately, we get so invested in the story of the brand, that the design is the easy part. We find ourselves acting more so as ambassadors of your image.. Dazzle: How many employees do you have on your team? Teige: Currently, I am the sole owner and managing director of AZUK Events but I employ some part-time staff. My team includes five people with the skill set and portfolio background of event coordination, carpentry, textile, tailoring and design. Dazzle: What are some of the challenges you face as a young entrepreneur? Teige: One of the key challenges that I face specifically in this industry is convincing clients that there is a corporate side to design. It’s a bit difficult because there are not many people operating in the industry who are taking that groundbreaking step. There are one or two well-known individuals doing so, but with an extensive background in other fields. We all have our preferred skill set within the industry and identify our targets with our company vision but I think there’s an opportunity that exists for us to come together and show what the industry has to offer. One of the challenges for me is to get a matched value for my work; gain value for the commitment that I put into it. The efforts put towards brand research, artistic compilation of the design concept, the costing analysis and the ultimate production where we make strategic managerial decisions, add tremendous value to our work that can hardly be quantified in just monetary terms. Dazzle: What has been your biggest accomplishment to date? Teige: I must say that every day when I think about all the potential clients and events that I can pursue, feels like a big accomplishment in itself. The opportunity to make decisions that take me further along my career path as an entrepreneur and in turn affect other people’s lives in a positive way, that itself is an accomplishment for me. My biggest personal accomplishment, however, is watching myself grow in the business, having started off as a decorator and now being able to redesign a club or plan an entire conference by creating, organising and supervising every element of the process to meet the event goals and objectives. I think that the progress I’ve made from initially doing this on a side as a hustle, to
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developing it as a full-fledged business is a big accomplishment for me. We have done work for the British High Commission to Saint Lucia, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in St. Lucia and the Venezuelan Embassy in St. Lucia. We have also done work for Digicel,
fun facts
Tea or Coffee? I prefer to whip up a rustic spice tea anyday- old school style . Put some cinnamon rosemary and ginger in a pot to boil, let it steep and drink. Two sugars please! Your favourite ice cream? I’m a sorbet kind of a girl - love me some lemon sorbet What was the last movie you watched at the cinema? About Last Night with Kevin Hart How tall are you? A woman never reveals her age and I never reveal my height. In really big in spirit just presented in a small package.
specifically the Digicel corporate booth at the St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, two years in a row. We have also done work for the St Lucia Chamber of Commerce in connection with the Junior Achievement program. We have worked with LIME on enhancing their promotional events and Bank of Saint Lucia (BOSL). BOSL has been there with me from the start and has supported and motivated me to grow my business and excel. Dazzle: Who and what motivates you and how do you improve your skills? Teige: If you notice, every day you turn on your TV there is something new in technology, business and education. In order for your business to grow and succeed, I believe it’s important to expand your horizons and explore new avenues of opportunity. If it was simply about money I don’t think many entrepreneurs would be where they are today. Regardless of the economic situation, it is the challenge that really keeps me going; the challenge to continue growing and to do things differently. My passion and drive for event planning and providing a satisfying experience also keeps me motivated. I make it my business to do research and keep up-to-date with the latest trends. There are special events magazines and key people that I focus on like Preston Bailey and Martha Stewart who is quite talented. There’s also the prospect of me furthering my education and expanding my knowledge in the industry. Dazzle: Where do you envision your business heading in the next five years? Teige: I see me making giant leaps towards further enhancing the growth and development of my business and adopting even more creative approaches to event design and planning by including corporate marketing and communications in the whole process. I see my business expertise and the skills and experience of my team, as well as my financial resources, growing to the extent where I can take on even larger projects – not just locally but regionally and beyond. I see St. Lucia giving a chance to a young female entrepreneur with a dream and a fighting spirit and encouraging her to reach for the stars. In five years, I see me achieving greater success.
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Dazzle Magazine would like to wish Teige success in her quest to become a world-class creative arts and event designer. Keep reaching for the stars and best of luck with your pursuits!
//Feature
Living a Dream –
Thomas -Wolff’s Fascinating Journey Through Dance pg. 32
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Changing the Way You Think of Reaching Customers by Rankin Morgan
O
ver the past few years, marketing has evolved from companies competing with each other, in terms of finding out what their competitors are offering and trying to offer better deals, to reaching out directly to consumers and competing for their attention. This shift is an indication that marketers have recognised that they need to re-strategise and change the way they reach their target audience and the tools they use in doing so, in order to be more effective in the current economic environment. Technology is an important tool and it now plays a vital role in capturing customers’ attention. Now more than ever, marketers need to go where consumers gather, listen to them as they voice their needs and concerns and respond. Increasingly, marketers and advertisers are being urged to make greater use of digital marketing to engage these consumers and provide them with useful and appealing information. Here are three important points to consider in digital marketing: It’s all about conversations. Presently, consumers are no longer interested in mass marketing campaigns because they don’t see the value of it. Conversations are merely an informal interchange of thoughts and information and marketers need to adapt to this simple concept. Creating and managing customer relationships: The ability to create and manage customer relationships across various mediums is very important. Marketers must know and understand their market. Data from consumers can be collected via social media, the web, e-blasts 28 DAZZLE
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and points of sale, to name a few. The information gathered can be used to learn more about individual consumers, monitor their behavioural patterns and understand their expectations and how they feel about their buying experience. Making your company visible. In this modern, technology-driven age, successful marketing is about making sure your company is easy to find, not just about locating customers. Having a strong web and social media presence is crucial to enable your customers to find you. Customers are constantly searching for information and answers online, so your online presence must contain rich content to satisfy their every need. Once you succeed in capturing the customer’s attention, your content (which should be engaging and conversational) can persuade them to make an enquiry or even better, purchase the goods or services you have to offer. As time goes by, more companies will come to appreciate the value in moving away from traditional promotional messaging and focus more on using the web and technology to deliver exciting and valuable content, thereby opening the door to more innovative advertising and messaging and greater connection with consumers.
CHANNEL LETTERS LIT SIGNS / NON LIT SIGNS 3D LETTERS BILLBOARDS / SEAMLESS WRAPS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS DIRECTORIES VEHICLE WRAPS BANNERS BUS SHELTERS LIGHT FRAMES / SNAP FRAMES A-FRAMES LARGE FORMAT PRINTS POSTERS / FLYERS BUMPER STICKERS NUMBER PLATES PULL UP BANNERS ( WITH STANDS) FEATHER BANNERS BUNTINGS / TABLE CLOTHS STANDIES RAGS / FLAGS / CLOTH BANNERS WIND WINDOW CLINGS MESH BANNERS NAME TAGS ENGRAVING ACRYLIC DESKTOPS
e-mail:exelsign@gmail.com . exelsign@candw.lc website:www.exelsign.com P.O. Box RB2695 Marisule Gros Islet St. Lucia, W.I.
Get Rid of Ingrown Hair the Natural Way By Alana M.I. Morgan
Oh, how ingrown hair is so absolutely awful! Who doesn’t want silky smooth skin? However, this could prove to be quite a challenge if you have to contend with ingrown hair. Ingrown hair is hair that curls back under your skin instead of growing out from it. Sometimes your pores (or hair follicles) can become clogged by dead skin cells. This causes the hair inside them to grow sideways and under the skin instead of up and outward. Shaving can also cause ingrown hair. In this case the condition is more commonly known as razor bumps. 30 DAZZLE
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Try out this cool natural lotion to help eliminate them. It smells good and does the trick! 1 cup sugar ½ tbs extra virgin olive or jojoba oil (more if using on face) 10 drops tea tree oil 5 drops thyme essential oil 5 drops lavender essential oil 00 Add all the ingredients together and mix well. Use it every day massaging it into the affected area for one week for the best results and one ounce every week thereafter to prevent the emergence of new ones. Enjoy your smooth new look!
presents
The 2014 National Basketball League
For More Information Contact Us Tel. 486.6645 | 285.6597 www.stluciabasketball.com | slbfed TAKING SIGNS FURTHER...
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//Feature
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Living a Dream –
Thomas-Wolff’s Fascinating Journey Through Dance by Mindy Luquiana Chicot
D
ancers tell stories and portray emotions with their bodies through various styles like ballet, hip-hop and modern dance. For this beautiful, sensuous and multi-talented dancer it is an expression of life. ‘Live, Love and Dance’ has been Tennail Thomas-Wolff’s personal mantra for the past 28 years. Tennail gravitated to dance from the tender age of five. It was as if it was embedded in her genes. Born in the community of Cedars, Tennail attended the Ave Maria Girl’s Primary and the Entrepot Secondary, and subsequently the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) where she studied building technology. While she was at SALCC, she was encouraged to take up dance by Yalitza García, an acclaimed Cuban dancer and instructor who ended up changing Tennail’s life forever. García was invited to St. Lucia to develop dance productions and musicals at the then Club Saint Lucia by Splash. Tennail auditioned successfully for a role in García’s ensemble. Thereafter she was faced with having to choose whether she wanted to continue her schooling or become García’s pupil. The rest is “pretty much history”, says Tennail. Dazzle puts the spotlight on this remarkably gifted artiste and her inspiring life story. Dazzle: How long have you been dancing? Tennail: I started very early, from age five. I began with the Charmalion Dance Co. under the leadership and tutelage of Rosemary Etienne. I left Charmalion at 16 and moved to the Les Enfants Dance Academy. I was personally scouted by the late Virgina Alexander, as she always admired my style of dance. I also auditioned and trained by Christine Samuel for the National Theatre Dance Company where I was one of their first set of dancers.
Dazzle: At what point in your life did you realise that dance was your career of choice? Tennail: I think it was during the audition at Club Saint Lucia. That was the defining moment for me when I decided, ‘Hey this is what I want to do!’ Everything about that experience thrilled me, especially the professionalism of the choreographer. She showed us what dance could be beyond Saint Lucia. Dazzle: Have you explored the academic facets of dance? Tennail: I wouldn’t say formal academics but I have done quite a bit of training. I’ve also done a lot of training workshops in Guadeloupe, which was funded by the Government of Saint Lucia through the CDF. I had the opportunity to work at the Almond Morgan Bay Hotel as the Entertainment Manager and Dance Choreogrpaher. During my tenure there, I was sent to Italy to undergo formal dance training. This was an amazing experience from which I really grew in the more technical aspects of dance. Dazzle: How far would you say dance has taken you? Tennail: My entire career has been dance. I’ve been dancing from the age of five and I have progressed tremendously. From around age seven I started travelling all around the Caribbean representing Saint Lucia with the Charmalion Dancers. I have visited most, if not all the islands. I have also been to many states in the US, Canada, the UK and Europe. One of the landmark events in my career was my acceptance into the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in 2001. Another one was in 2010 when I auditioned and got accepted for the role of Princess Tianna with Euro Disney (Paris). Also, in 2010 I was granted a private audition for the Lion King in London although I did not pursue any due to circumstances at the time. All in all, it has been an extremely fulfilling experience and I wouldn’t trade it
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for anything else. Dazzle: What kind of impact does dance have on the different areas of your life? Tennail: Because of my experience with Yalitza García, it really helped to instil a strong work ethic in me. It helped me to progress not just in dance but in management as well. I think the area in which it has had the biggest impact is my discipline. After all, dance is a discipline; you are either in or out. I have committed myself to always being on time and giving my best. Dazzle: What are you doing now? Tennail: What I’m doing now is very exciting. I recently opened a dance studio, Motion Studios located upstairs the former AF Valmont in Rodney Bay, next to the International School. There I offer a variety of dance and dance-fitness classes. They cater to kids (4-12), teens (13-17) and adults (18 plus). For the kids and teens I focus mainly on modern and contemporary dance. I am very strict when it comes to learning and developing proper technique. Dazzle: What inspired you to undertake such a venture? Tennail: One of the things that propelled me into this venture is witnessing the lack of technique used by dancers over the past couple of years. My husband encouraged me to start the dance studio as I often complained about it. He was like, “why don’t you just train them … open a studio and train them. If you are complaining about it then do something about it.” We
fun facts Break dance, Salsa or pole dancing? Pole dancing Favourite local confectionery? I don’t like candy but I do enjoy certain chocolates and local jam which is sweet, hehe Favourite childish moment: Sweet dreams with my dad. Your favourite men’s cologne? Ralph Lauren 34 DAZZLE
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then went searching for a place and two weeks later we had a studio. Aside from that I have a very deep passion for dance. I would like very much to see the art form grow. Nothing would be more gratifying than to see a bunch of absolutely incredible dancers on the stage, knowing that I was involved in their training and development and that I can help them progress. People always ask me, ‘How do you stay so small?’ A big reason is because I dance too much. I dance six days a week for a minimum of six hours a day. Also, With respect to my adult students, I wanted to give them something to look forward to, something fun and in keeping with what they wanted. Dazzle: How does your academy differ from other dance schools? Tennail: We offer modern and contemporary dance, Zumba, Burlesque, Soca abs, bums and thighs, also two African dance classes. At the end of the month we will be introducing pole fitness and a gymnastics class for the kids. Dazzle: What are your dreams for the future? Tennail: I would love it if the school could develop into a franchise throughout the Caribbean because I do believe that we are not only faced with those challenges here in Saint Lucia. Dominica needs it, so does St. Vincent, St. Kitts and the rest of the islands. So in the next five years I would love to see us grow into that kind of franchise that is renowned and well known for our top quality dance classes. When people think of training, dance and development, I want it to be synonymous with the name Motions Studio.
//Feature
Sean Compton pg. 40
‘Architecture is my passion’
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ADV E RT I S E WI TH US To advertise in The Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone (758) 460 4126 or email advertising@dazzlethemag.com for more information.
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DAZZLE 37
Choosing the Right Phone for Mobile Gaming by Donnelly John
N
owadays, it is almost impossible to imagine life without cell phones yet it was not so long ago that the people who owned them were relatively few.
Since then manufacturers have continuously tried to add a bit of curb appeal to their handsets to increase their entertainment value and productivity, and to drive up sales.
The first cellular phone became publicly available around the mid 1980s but it was not until 1997 that Nokia released their famous near-indestructible phone, the Nokia 6110, popularly known here as ‘Blue-Soap,’ which introduced a new pastime built into its software called ‘Snake’. Everyone remembers that, right? Don’t try to deny it, you too tried to beat your classmates/friends/siblings’ high score. As technology advanced, so did cell phone hardware which took a huge leap in its processing power. Today your cell phone is at least 1000 times faster than the New Millennium’s trendy Samsung Blue. 38 DAZZLE
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Kudos to you if you’ are a gamer or you’ve played a casual mobile game such as Flappy Bird or dare I say ... Candy Crush. However, if you are planning on doing
some serious gaming on a mobile phone, then Android or iOS devices are the way to go. The fact is there are hundreds of Android and iOS devices and they each offer their own type of experience .To illustrate, let’s start breaking things down to the CPU speeds.
The iPhone is quite straight forward. The current generation of iPhones (iPhone 4S & 5) are easily capable of handling the most graphically demanding tasks with their standard Q5 & Q6, each with dual and tri-core processor chips respectively. The beautiful thing about it is that the CPU in each of these phones can handle logical and video processing all in one chipset smaller than the thumbnail of a newborn baby. So playing Asphalt 8 or Modern Combat 4 will be a walk in the park. My personal pet peeve about the IPhone for a long time has been the screen size (only 4 inches). This can be cumbersome for gaming as on-screen buttons already take up 15 percent of the screen’s real estate.
The flagship Android handsets not only boast speed in their quad and octa core processors but also have the most ideal screen sizes for enjoying games at high-quality settings. Since there are dozens of different Android processors and hundreds of Android handsets, I would recommend the major players: Samsung S4 & S5, Note 3, LG Optimus G2 and Motorola RAZR HD.
These are arguably just a handful of devices and by the time you are done reading this article another Android phone will be on the market that tops all of those I have mentioned above. For more information and updates on the latest phones/gadgets and apps you can always tune in to my TV show: GamerVibe 2.0 on LIME Ch.39 & FLOW Ch.50 at 7pm on Saturdays or check out our Facebook page or website www.gamervibe.tv And remember, keep on gaming :D Donnelly John GamerVibe TV
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Sean Compton ‘Architecture is my Passion’ by David E.M. DuBoulay
M
eet Sean Compton, a St. Lucian architect and a senior partner at Melon Design Architecture based in Monchy, Gros Islet. It is the second largest architectural firm in St. Lucia. Over the years the company has undertaken a variety of award-winning urban design and planning projects and it has left its mark in the Caribbean, the UK and other parts of Europe.
S
ean is passionate about his craft. His work is inspired by the firm belief that architecture has a responsibility to be true to the environment and it should embrace energy-saving techniques in design and technology. He also believes it should aim to create a harmonious relationship with the surroundings. Having spent a good portion of his career overseas, Sean has immersed himself in a variety of cultures and has developed an expansive worldview. He is the brother of internationally acclaimed Top Chef finalist, Nina Compton.
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D
azzle correspondent David Du Boulay recently had a chat with Sean to get an idea of his motivation and his views on the world of architectural design.
Dazzle: What initially spawned your interest in architecture? Sean: I’ve always loved art and drawing. At secondary school when you are bright, you’re often guided into the sciences and this was the case with me. Art, however, was my passion and ultimately I found a career that combines both. I love what I do. Dazzle:Where did you study and why did you choose that region/institution? Sean: I studied in the UK mostly, initially because I have family there but later because of the quality of education and proximity to Europe - I like to explore. I attended the Birmingham School of Architecture which is now part of the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD). The choice was economic. Fees were half of what it would have cost in London, plus the school had affiliations with other schools such as the University College of London (UCL) where I later became a visiting tutor. Dazzle: Are there any particular areas that you focussed on and why? Sean: My focus has always been on creating designs which are harmonious with the environment. We at Melon are particularly interested in minimising the environmental impact or ‘footprint’ of our buildings and we continually strive to achieve that. Dazzle: What are the common misconceptions people have about what an architect does? Sean: (Laughs) The biggest misconception is that an architect merely draws plans. Drawings are only the lingua franca of architecture. They are how we communicate our ideas but only a small part of what we do. Architecture is a creative process. For example, you could say my sister (Chef Nina) cooks, or Derek Walcott writes but all of us cook or try to (laughs) and all of us can put pen to paper, but each of them (Nina and Walcott) do so much more than just cook or write. In Derek’s case, words convey his labour, thought, science and artistry. Without that, they are just ink on paper. It’s the same with architecture and drawings, there is far more behind that ink on paper and that’s the difference between architecture and drafting. If you study in the UK it takes seven years to become a fully qualified
architect; five years of schooling and two years of practical experience. During that time we study history, the arts, psychology, human behaviour, building sciences, urban planning and a wide range of other topics. So there is a tremendous amount of thought, research and experience which goes into these drawings. Dazzle: Where did you gain your first experience and how many firms have you been employed with? Sean: While at university, during summers, I worked in Florida, Jamaica and Mexico (with LPA). In between my degree and my diploma I worked for a German construction firm based in Mannheim where working on site afforded me the opportunity to get a greater appreciation of construction. I worked freelance in London for several years on a wide range of projects such as HSBC banks, art galleries and designer offices. The experience which stands out the most was working for the firm of Glenn Howells Architects in Birmingham, which was where I really got my direction. We started working in a small office which could barely accommodate two desks, just Glenn and I, and we entered a competition to design a theatre and arts centre which we won. It was a big accomplishment for a tiny firm and from there we developed quite a reputation. By the time I moved on to do my own thing there were over ten staff members and we had won competitions for several other significant, and ultimately award-winning theatre and arts projects in the UK and Ireland, so I gained significant experience in those areas. Dazzle: In your opinion, what is the single most important feature or characteristic of a building or structure? Sean: It’a difficult to boil it down to any one thing but if I had to, it’s the word ‘environment’ because in this context it has so many layers to it. The design must be cognisant of the physical environment which surrounds the building and of how it enhances it; of the environment it creates for its users, how they interact with it and how they feel; of where the sun rises and where it sets, how shade is treated (shadows can be magical); where breezes come from, of how we create spaces to allow people to feel more free; of scents, of sounds etc. It must be cognisant of its environmental impact in terms of material and consumption. There are so many definitions of environment that shape a design.
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Dazzle: What is the greatest influence(s) on your design work? Sean: I keep coming back to environment because it encapsulates so much of what I do, but let’s go with atmosphere. One of my lecturers at University singled out a design another student had done with a wooden floor and underscored that the choice of wood you use is important, not just visually but because the smell it gives off will subtly perfume that room for years to come. This has always stuck with me. It was the moment I understood that architecture is a sensual art. Our projects are designed to create atmosphere, to evoke feelings and emotions and to touch all of the senses … besides taste obviously, that would be weird (laughs). Dazzle: What are some of the projects you have worked on and which (if any) are you most proud of? Sean: We have been involved in many varied projects, with the most visible probably being the Audi building at Choc. We also worked on the Caribbean Halls of Justice throughout the OECS, from Grenada to Tortola, which was quite interesting. Naturally there are residential projects I am fond of but to date I think the first competition win in England for the theatre and arts centre would be the one I am most proud of. I would really love to work on such a project here because Saint Lucia is in dire need of a proper venue to develop the performing and visual arts to showcase our local talent.
fun facts Suit and tie or jeans and slippers? Jeans and slippers Favourite colour? Orange Chicken, beef or pork? None, veggies and fish Favourite travel getaway? Planet Earth! 42 DAZZLE
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Dazzle: What made you start your own business and what sort of qualities do you look for in your staff? Sean: While working in London a friend and I decided to create an umbrella to enter competitions because, as I mentioned earlier, it’s a great avenue for young architects to make a name for themselves. That’s how Melon was born. In terms of staff, it varies but we generally look for open-minded people with a creative mindset and a strong work ethic because the hours can be extremely long and demanding. Dazzle: Do you see architectural design changing in the coming years and how? Sean: Radically! Technology is evolving rapidly and the advent of Building Information Modelling (BIM) takes us beyond the traditional 2D or 3D format to true virtual design. Right now it is viable only for medium to large projects but it allows all the consultants working on the different aspects of a project (engineering, plumbing, electrical, air conditioning etc..) to simultaneously add to the
virtual design. One advantage is that it eliminates the unforeseen clashes or ‘collisions’ which can occur on site when all the different aspects come together, thus reducing on costs and time. BIM also allows you to measure all the quantities and materials going into the building and the software can assign a cost to them. And of course, environmental modeling! Such features will bring about a drastic change to the way we operate in the coming years. Dazzle: What aspect(s) of the design field in the Caribbean do you think need to change, if any? Sean: I think we need greater regulation in the islands geared towards the environment and its preservation. We have numerous issues with our water supply and the cost of fuel/energy is constantly increasing, so I believe it is vital that our planning authorities undergo a complete rethink of their strategies and implement measures aimed at conserving water and energy in the very near future. Ironically, I’d like to see Planning Departments have a bit more teeth, even if it may sometimes come back to bite me! Dazzle: Are there any Caribbean institutions which are viable options where one could further the study of design/architecture? Sean: The Caribbean School of Architecture (CSA) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) at Mona Campus in Jamaica is the prime example which springs to mind. There are others in Guyana, Cuba and the Dominican Republic but UWI would be my suggestion. Dazzle: What single piece of advice would you give to any young person interested in architecture and/ or design? Sean: Sir Arthur Lewis said, “a society without the creative arts is a cultural desert.” Art and design are still not well appreciated in Saint Lucia but this is slowly changing. I guess my advice would be the same as for any career; choose something you enjoy and are passionate about, regardless of how anyone else perceives it. By pursuing your passion you will find that even though the hardest days feel like work, for the most part you will enjoy it. Oh, and travel as often and as far away as you can, it is not only the best education but you will return home with fresh eyes.
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by Neil Joseph
Exclusive 7” HDX Display (1920x1200) - high pixel density (323 PPI), and perfect colour accuracy (100% sRGB) for vivid, lifelike images that go beyond standard HD The Fastest Processor on a 7” Tablet powerful 2.2GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM for fast, fluid multi-tasking, gaming, and videos. Improved Battery Life - With advanced power management technology, Kindle Fire HDX delivers an uncompromised 11 hours of reading, surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music. When you’re just reading, Kindle Fire HDX automatically powers down unused system components, extending battery life to 17 hours. Stay Productive On the go - with ultra-fast web browsing, built-in OfficeSuite, and updated e-mail and calendar support for Gmail, Outlook, etc. Immersive Entertainment Experience - see trivia and character backgrounds with X-Ray for Movies and TV, follow along with lyrics with new X-Ray for Music, fling videos to your TV with Second Screen. All-New Fire OS “Mojito” - New Kindle Fire tablets are powered by the latest version of Fire OS - Fire OS 3.0 44 DAZZLE
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Accessibility Features - Blind and visually impaired customers can leverage new and improved accessibility tools such as Screen Reader, Explore by Touch, and Screen Magnifier. Screen Reader features IVONA’s award-winning natural language text-tospeech voice. Fast, Powerful Wi-Fi - When it comes to HD content, bandwidth is everything. Without it, you get video buffering, slow download and dropped connections. Kindle Fire HDX solves this issue by using
state-of-the-art dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi. With this, you’ll enjoy fewer dropped connections and faster media streaming, plus you’ll be able to go further from your wireless hotspot than with other tablets. Front Facing Camera - The 7” Kindle Fire HDX tablets have a front-facing 720p HD camera, perfect for Skype HD video calls and taking photos to share via Facebook or e-mail.
r e w o l f i Caul Pizza
ingredients 2.5 cups grated cauliflower 1 large egg, beaten 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese 1 tsp basil, diced 1 tsp dried oregano Pinch of salt and pepper
method Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray or grease your pizza pan with cooking spray and set it aside. Place the cauliflower crumbles into a large bowl and microwave for 7 minutes or until they soften. Remove the bowl from the microwave and allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes.
healthy & delicious This low-carb, low calorie Cauliflower Crust pizza is simple, delicious and healthy and full of great flavour. It can take on any of your favourite toppings. 46 DAZZLE
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In a separate bowl, mix all of the other ingredients together, then add the cooled cauliflower to form a dough. Spread the dough out evenly onto the pan, making sure it’s not too thin in any spots and then bake it for 15-20 minutes. Remove it from the oven and add your sauce and toppings. Place the bowl back in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
The wide range of over 40 classic, modern and exotic liqueurs is prepared wide selected, range of over 40 ingredients. classic, from The carefully natural modern and exotic liqueurs is prepared from carefully selected, natural ingredients.
The award-winning liqueurs produced Wenneker Theby award-winning have an produced excellent liqueurs international reputation. by Wenneker have an excellent international reputation.
Direct from Holland, distributed in St Lucia by RJB Hotel & Restaurant Supplies 1 (758)distributed 450 1110 in St Lucia Direct fromon Holland, Wenneker Drink Recipe by RJB Hotel & Restaurant Supplies Wenneker Apricot Brandy 5 cl, Sugar syrup 1 cl, Lemon on 1 (758) 450 1110 juice 2 cl, Mineralwater to ďŹ ll up.
Visit www.rjbhotelsupplies.com for details. www.dazzlethemag.com
DAZZLE 47
Visit www.rjbhotelsupplies.com for details.
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48 DAZZLE
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DAZZLE 49
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