Dazzle Magazine Issue 1 by Dazzle Magazine

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Using Facebook to market your business Ambi AmpliďŹ ed! His journey to the top

Fiona Compton The Photographer

Issue 1

St. Lucia Youth Business Trust

Meet Crystian Alexander

Try me!

From the Publisher

Welcome to Dazzle Magazine First and foremost I would like to thank you for picking up the very first issue of the Dazzle Magazine. Putting this magazine together has been challenging yet fun. Conceptualising the idea was not an easy task as it took over a year, with the assistance of the Saint Lucia Youth Business Trust, to get it correct. Dazzle Magazine has been created to showcase young Saint Lucian entrepreneurs and professionals who are creating an opportunity for themselves and who are contributing to society. After returning to Saint Lucia from London in 2009, I met many young enthusiastic individuals who ran their own viable businesses. The only problem was, lack of exposure. These businesses were unheard of, only due to the fact that their owners were unable to market them on a large scale. Dazzle Magazine has set out to be that avenue for these entrepreneurs to be seen and heard. With that said, here is a snippet of what’s inside. Dazzle Magazine had the opportunity to chat with Fiona Compton, who graces our cover, and it was such an enriching experience. She shared with us her on-going journey to self-discovery, her success and struggles as a professional photographer and some thought provoking insight into her life as a ‘Saint Lucian who loves her country and culture’. Crystian Alexander made for an excellent interview as he expressed his passion for automobiles and his quest for success. In addition to that he elaborates on his other business ventures, his charitable contributions and Team Turbulence. There are also some valuable business tips in this issue to help motivate young entrepreneurs. Dazzle Magazine hopes that this issue will be an inspiring one to all our readers and we would like to thank all our advertisers and contributors for making this dream come alive. Please feel free to like and comment on our facebook page.

Rankin Morgan Publisher/Managing Editor

Dazzle Magazine is a new and fresh Saint Lucian bi-monthly publication, which provides much needed exposure for young professionals, entrepreneurs and established businesses. The key demographic that the magazine intends to target ranges between the ages of 21-50 years, middle to upper class working professionals. Value for money is a key concept embraced by this publication; therefore, the magazine aims to provide advertising clients with a powerful marketing medium that provides a worthwhile reach and island wide penetration at an affordable price. Since the publication is relatively new, the novelty of being associated with this magazine will present many opportunities for advertising clients. Advertising within Dazzle magazine will definitely increase brand awareness and subtly influence readers to make purchases towards clients’ products or services. To advertise in Dazzle magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone (758) 460 4126 or email advertising@dazzlethemag.com for more information and terms and conditions.

contents features sections table of

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06. SLYBT Going Strong The St. Lucia Youth Business Trust (SLYBT) was officially launched on November 15th, 2011, almost one year ago and continues to make strides.

16. The Real Fiona Compton When you find something you truly love and enjoy, you should do it! It has been proven that most persons, who choose a career doing what they love most, have a happy and eventful life and career. Happiness is…having a job that you love. Happiness is… finding your passion and living it! Happiness is…walking barefoot and letting your hair down.

20. Meet Crystian Alexander Meet 34-year-old Crystian “Chowpeng” Alexander, proprietor of Turbulence Bar and active member of the Team Turbulence.

22. Headphunk - Phunk your head a little bit Headphunk is a movement that promotes the development of creative arts in Saint Lucia. The movement was born out of the need to create a platform for poets and writers for them to showcase their work.

28. Ambi Amplified! His journey to the top Ambrose “Ambi” Dwayne Joseph has been dazzling the Saint Lucian audience since 2010. Today, he is chatting with Dazzle Magazine about his experience as an artiste, songwriter and performer in Saint Lucia and the rest of the world.

8. Loco for Coco – The Benefits of Drinking... Coconut Water That Is 12. Being VAT Savvy

Business-

10. Start a Business Today! 26. Using Facebook to MarketYour Business

Health and beauty-

27. Lets get All Muddy!

Entertainment-

32. Out and About

Gizmos-

34. Samsung Galaxy SIII

Lifestyle-

38. Destination Wedding vs Local Wedding

contributors

Shayne Perri Mindy Luquiana Chicot Isabella W Dougla_Chic Publisher Rankin Morgan Graphic Design 123 Digital Limited Photography Aldrin Henry Brandon Ramjeawan Accountants BDM Consulting

For more information visit us at www.dazzlethemag.com or call us at 758.460.4126

“St. Lucia Youth Business Trust” Going Strong

This year, Global Entrepreneurship Week will be held November 12th – 18th, 2012. Dazzle takes a look back at the official launch of the St. Lucia Youth Business Trust (SLYBT). The St. Lucia Youth Business Trust (SLYBT) was officially launched on November 15th, 2011, almost one year ago and continues to make strides. The launch of the St. Lucia Youth Business Trust took place during the observance of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) after three years of preparatory work. The Launching event was one of the highlights of the Global Entrepreneurship Week of activities hosted in Saint Lucia to celebrate entrepreneurship. In a commemorative ceremony, the SLYBT was launched at the residence of Her Excellency, Governor General, Dame Pearlette Louisy with the two persons present who were central to the plot of bringing the Youth Business Trust model to Saint Lucia. They are, Mr. Christian Husbands, a former President of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Stephen King, an active member of the Chamber. How did the Chamber come to include this exciting element to its menu of community outreach 6

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programmes? It became a reality upon the suggestion of Dr. King to Mr. Husbands that the Chamber introduce the Youth Business Trust into Saint Lucia. The SLYBT allows for young people between the ages of 18 and 35 who wish to start their own business to look to the Trust for more than just financial assistance. Technical support, the services of a mentor and the wide-ranging network of support of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce members is now available to them, to name a few benefits. So far First Caribbean International Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, Construction and Industrial Equipment (CIE Ltd), Bank of Nova Scotia, St. Lucia Distillers and Bank of Saint Lucia have pledged to and has provided funding to the St. Lucia Youth Business Trust. Once again, you can become a part of this year’s Global Entrepreneurship week which is scheduled for November 12th - 18th, 2012. Persons interested in learning more about the Trust can visit the website at www.slybt.org

Fiona Compton Read about Fiona on page16

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Loco for Coco The Benefits of Drinking ...Coconut Water That Is

Saint Lucians are becoming increasingly health conscious especially with the increase in obesity and diabetes. With celebrities like Rihanna, Kourtney Kardashian, Madonna and Matthew Mcconaughey all looking for natural solutions to combat diseases and increase their life expectancy, believe it or not, the new phenomenon is coconut water! Ironically, for centuries, especially in Malaysia and Africa, coconut water (Glo Coco) has been revered as life water. The ancient Sanskrit translation for coconut is ‘tree that gives everything for life’. So really, what are the benefits of consuming coconut water? Here they are: Revitalises your cells and boosts your metabolism – Coconut water contains less sodium and more potassium than the average energy or sports drink. That is why it is a highly recommended substitute for expensive, artificial products. One young nut contains approximately 600 mg of potassium, (twice as much as a banana) a very important mineral that helps keep various organs like the heart and kidneys working properly. Helps one lose weight – Being very low in fat, you can drink as much as you can without worrying about fat consumption. With only 50 calories per nut, most of them from natural sugars, it helps you feel full, decreasing your cravings for excessive eating.

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Aids in digestion - The drink has more hydrating properties than average tap water, so you will be able to absorb food nutrients better and have easier bowel time when you drink it. Helps fight viruses – The anti-viral and anti-fungal properties in the nut can help you steer clear from these diseases and more! Aids with rehydration - Coconut water being naturally isotonic is absorbed faster and more efficiently than non-isotonic liquids. So you get rehydrated right away – especially useful to fight hangovers! Recommended during pregnancy - Constipation, sluggish digestion and heartburn are common problems during pregnancy, which can be lessened by drinking coconut water. Now don’t get me wrong, coconut water is not a miracle drink! It is a natural and refreshing alternative that’s the next best thing to water. With added incentives, like it tastes good and helps with so many bodily functions, why not grab a few nuts and be refreshed today!

Start a Business Today!

You know the basics of profit and loss. You are business-savvy. Every time you see a new business venture come on stream, you wonder why it wasn’t you. You’ve now decided, “I am starting my own business!” If you are thinking how to get it off the ground, this article may just be the final push to get your business-a-buzzing! This article serves as a guide to help you start a business of your own – your piece of the pie! Here’s how: Do background checks Conducting market research is essential. You need to have a handle on what is happening in the field of which you choose to be a part. This can be as simple as asking friends what they like and dislike 10

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about similar already established businesses. If you are still unsure on what business to go into, this is equally useful in your decision. In conducting this research, you must familiarise yourself with your competition. Take note of both the positive and negative aspects. Their downfalls will tell you what not to do and their strengths will tell you what to do, only better. You will then be able to analyse your strengths and weaknesses and apply in a similar fashion. This information is what you need to create a business plan. Before you do anything else, write a business plan Thorough planning is key to successfully launching a new business. You may be wondering, “What is there

to plan? I want to go for it!â&#x20AC;? To that end, keep your enthusiasm, but know that there is a lot to plan. Be patient when writing a plan and remember that the time you spend planning during the start-up phase will pay off later. Once you have written up your business plan, while modifications may be made afterward, your a business plan is the map to your business destination. What to include The business plan outlines your vision and how you intend to achieve your goals. Your business plan should include the business name, revenue targets and their time period required to stay in business. It should also include your overheads, or what it costs to run the business. These costs or liabilities include all the expenses associated with your business. These are operational costs, like paying staff, rent, utilities, cost of equipment and supplies and advertising. Depending on the nature of your business, the list of liabilities will vary. For instance, a web developing business can operate from home or an Internet cafĂŠ, and the owner would not need to rent a commercial space. Figuring out what it costs to run your business will help in the next step of finding the finances. Finding the funds Once you have done a business plan, you need to work out financial support or capital and there are options. The main thing is to find the option that best suits your needs, particularly with regard to paying it back while making some money too (profit). After all, you are in business to make money! You may choose to apply for a small business loan. Use the information that you have gathered from writing the business plan to apply for enough money. Go to a bank with which you have an account. Fill out all the paperwork and include all the information requested. Another option is to find government-backed loans or grants to help you get started.

plan. Be open to the idea of people investing in your business. You can propose an agreement like; when the business gets off the ground you pay an amount in order for them to become a partner in the business. On the record You need to register your company for it to become legal. Saint Lucia is ranked at 36 out of 186 countries for how easy it is to start a business, a ranking by the World Bank. You may register your business anytime; once you are mentally sound, at least 18 years old, can pay the associated fees and provide the required info to fill all the paper work. A lawyer conducts the registration process and prepares all the required documentation for the Commercial Registry. Once submitted, the Registry will review the documents over a six-week period. Once the application is approved, a certificate of incorporation will be issued to the business, and it can legally commence operating. Advertise cheaply, at least for the start-up phase Now that you are registered, you must let potential customers or clients know that you are about to become the expert in the field. The cheapest way to advertise is online. Above the line advertising, like print ads and TV commercials can come later when you are established. For now, keep it low cost or free. Use social media like Facebook and Twitter to advertise your business. Send periodic eblasts about promotions that you offer or build a buzz around your launch. Once you have launched, it is time to serve your customers or clients and serve them well! You are in business! So there you have it. These are the steps to starting up a business of your own. What are you waiting for? Start your research and get ready to type your business plan! Good luck!

Through friends and family is yet another approach for funding. Find out who might be interested in helping you and present them with your business

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The essential purpose of introducing the VAT is to have a tax system that is fairer, more effective, efficient and easier to administer. VAT has fulfilled these objectives in more than 120 countries worldwide, including: St. Vincent & The Grenedines, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada and St. Kitts & Nevis. What is Value Added Tax (VAT)? VAT is the acronym for Value Added Tax, which is levied on all forms of consumer spending on taxable goods and services. From the perspective of the buyer, it is a tax on the purchase price. VAT is computed on the value of imports and the Value Added or mark-up, that one business charges another, or the final consumer, on the supply of goods or services. VAT is not an additional tax but it will replace the following taxes: • Consumption Tax • Environmental Protection Levy • Motor Vehicle Rental Fee • Mobile Cellular Telephone Tax • Hotel Accommodation Tax What is the rate at which VAT is charged? There are three (3) rates of VAT, depending on the goods or services the business provides. The rates are: • standard – fifteen percent (15%) • reduced – eight percent (8%) on goods and services 12

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provided by hotels (until April 2013) • zero – zero percent (0%) Some benefits of VAT VAT is a more equitable and efficient way of collecting revenue. VAT is a transparent tax. You know how much VAT you pay, and when you are paying it. VAT is paid by all consumers. VAT will not be charged on health care, rent on residential housing, water and sewerage services supplied by the Water & Sewerage Company (WASCO), public postal services, public transport, educational services and other basic goods and services. VAT is more equitable, i.e. it lowers the rate of tax and broadens the base. It allows for a wider cross-section of people to pay the tax. The VAT system allows for, not only goods but services to be taxed. VAT at a glance VAT is applicable at the point of import as well as on locally produced goods. VAT can only be collected by registered persons (VAT taxpayers) who must have their VAT Certificates of Registration prominently displayed in their places of business. VAT is included in the final price to the consumer, except on zero-rated or exempt goods. How will VAT affect you? • Temporary increase in prices of old stock

• Price of some goods will increase, decrease or remain the same • Prices of services, which are not exempt may increase What are Zero Rated and Exempt Supplies? Zero Rated supplies are those goods and services on which VAT is charged at a rate of zero percent (0%). Water, electricity, fuel, fresh eggs and uncooked pasta are some of the goods/services that will be zero rated. Exempt Supplies are those goods and services that are not directly subjected to VAT. As disclosed by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony, a slew of basic domestic and food items will be exempted from VAT effective October 1, 2012. A number basic food items are exempted from VAT and the list includes: • uncooked rice • flour • cane sugar • fresh, chilled or frozen unprocessed/raw chicken and fish • milk (evaporated and powdered) • butter • unprocessed vegetables • fruits and ground provisions • fresh potatoes • unsweetened biscuits • table salt • uncooked peas and beans

VAT Act is available for reading on the VAT website, www.vat.gov.lc. Who can charge and collect VAT? VAT can only be collected by registered persons (VAT taxpayers) who will have their VAT Certificates of Registration prominently displayed in their places of business. If you are in doubt as to whether you should be paying VAT, you should verify that the place of business is registered for VAT by looking for the VAT Certificate at the place of business. If this cannot be proven, you should refrain from paying the VAT and report the incident to the VAT Section of the Inland Revenue Department. NB: You must receive a sales receipt, which would display the price of the goods and the total VAT paid. Will the VAT be added at check-out or is it included in the price on the shelf? The VAT Act requires that prices quoted or advertised must always be VAT-inclusive. This means that the price you see on the shelf or on the product/service is the price you will be required to pay. As a final consumer you need to be vigilant and know your rights, know which goods and services that are zero-rated or exempt. For more information, the VAT Office can be contacted at telephone number 468-1420 or 468-2800 or email vatcoordinator@vat.gov.lc or vatinfo@vat.gov.lc.

House rent, educational services, financial services, insurance services, medical services, religious services, the transportation system and postal services by the state will also be exempt from VAT. VAT cannot be charged on the sale of zero rated or exempt goods and services. The full list of zero rated and exempt goods and services are available in the VAT Act No.7 of 2012 . The

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try me!

Nationality: Saint Lucian Age: 21 (plus 9) Resides: London, England Profession: Photographer, since 2005 Cameras owned: NONE…in the process of switching. Frequently used camera: Mainly Nikon – a lot of my work has been on a D300s, 24-70mm, 70-300m and 50mm lenses Zodiac Sign: Libra

the realFiona

hen you find something you truly love and enjoy, you should do it! It has been proven that most persons, who choose a career doing what they love most, have a happy and eventful life and career. Happiness is…having a job that you love. Happiness is…finding your passion and living it! Happiness is…walking barefoot and letting your hair down. If there is one thing we hope you learn from this interview, is that while life is unpredictable, happiness comes with self-discovery. Though self-discovery varies with the individual, Fiona Compton shows how much fun it can be by just trying. Lest nothing else be said about Fiona Compton, her patriotism to her country is unraveling and utterly inspiring, in true spirit of her father and Saint Lucia’s Father of Independence, the late Sir John Melvin Compton. Dazzle: Who is Fiona Compton and what does she do? Fiona: Well this is a hard question! As I get older, I get closer to knowing who I am. For now, I can say I am a person who is constantly in the need to do something creative. When I was younger I wanted to become a painter but that romantic idea quickly dissipated

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when I saw artists who were much better than I was on the streets struggling. I sat and I thought, ‘where can I be creative but realistic at the same time?’ That’s what led me to photography. Outside of that, I am a strong believer and supporter of the Caribbean. I am in love with our culture and I think that is reflected a lot in how I am as a person. Dazzle: Which part of the world are you right now and why? Fiona: London. I came to London to study and that’s where I learnt how competitive the Art world is. London is completely saturated with incredible artists, but I stuck with it. After completing university, my first job was crap. Then, I worked on getting a better job, then a better one after that and so on. I have a day job photographing heads of banks and I do my own stuff on the side. London is producing some opportunities for me that I would like to complete before I move back home. Dazzle: What did you study and why?

Fiona: I did my foundation at CSM where you do it all – jewellery design, fashion, fine art, sculpture, product design and photography. Through doing it all, I realised my path was to become a photographer, so I did my degree at LCC.

to shoot on location. I enjoy studio work too as I appreciate being able to have complete control of the light. Shoots on location, especially when I shoot in St. Lucia make me incredibly excited – ask anyone who has modeled for me just how much I express myself!

Dazzle: What challenges are you faced with as a photographer? Fiona: Some people think I pick up a camera, snap, and that’s it, they assume my job is not difficult, because everyone has a camera too, and they think ‘well I can do that!’ Many people also think that it’s just a hobby and not a real profession. What I try to do is create images that evoke an emotion – mainly to make people feel good. That’s the difference between a photographer and someone who takes pictures.

Dazzle: Have you done video recordings if so, what have you produced? Fiona: Yes I have moved into video. It’s like another fabulous extension of photography. With photography it’s about capturing the decisive moment but with film it’s putting together a story, making it flow and look good as well. It involves more work I’d say, but enjoyable work for me. I have produced a cooking series called ‘Country Cooking’, which aired on Tempo, and I’m working on the second series now.

Dazzle: What subjects do you like shooting? Fiona: Most of my work is of women. You can do a lot more with them in terms of posing, how creative you can be with makeup and wardrobe. I also love

Dazzle: What other projects have you been involved with and what is/was your role? Fiona: I have co-produced a series called Caribbean Footsteps, airing on Carib Vision from October 2012. It documents many influential people from the Caribbean who have made their mark across Europe – from WWII heroes, music artists, and actors such as Joseph Marcell, AKA Jeffery from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, who is St. Lucian. Many people don’t know that he’s done so much outside of that show – like he taught Shakespeare in the prestigious Globe Theatre. It’s a great programme that showcases our Caribbean people’s accomplishments. Dazzle: In your very own collection what is your favourite photograph and why? Fiona: I have lots of favourites, some are from my flower series where I photographed Caribbean (mostly Lucian) women wrapped in local flowers, mainly because the images are so colourful and it reflects how beautiful the Caribbean is. But my favourite image is one of my father, after the 2006 election. There was a problem going on, whilst there was mayhem and people shouting outside, he sat in his chair in his office quietly thinking. He was completely and 100% composed whilst everyone else wasn’t – he was just so wise.

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Dazzle: What motivates you? Fiona: My soul does. I feel like if I am not doing something creative, my soul will wither and die. Yes I know, very dramatic – but it’s true. When I am going through a lull, my soul says to me ‘Fi what you doing? Wake Up and stop wasting time!’ Dazzle: Who is your biggest inspiration and how has that individual influenced you? Fiona: My parents never made me feel that I had to follow in my father’s footsteps. They never forced any of our hands growing up to be like him – but they are inspiring because they both worked nonstop. So all of us grew up wanting to be great in whatever avenue we chose. Another major inspiration is my Saint Lucian culture and more and more I see it coming through my work and the projects I have done and plan on doing. So you can say national pride is a major inspiration and that stems from my parents. Dazzle: Tell us about ‘I am St.Lucian’? Fiona: ‘I am St.Lucian’ started when I was trying to start a Lucian Arts event in London and I put together a website to promote it. I saw an image of a Muslim girl wrapped in an American flag with an ‘I am America’ caption. I thought it would be a great image for the website [www.iamstlucian.com] – so I created a Saint Lucian version. I was waiting for the event to happen so I started adding Lucian things like jobs, businesses, other events and unknown history – which turned out to be the most popular. I wanted people to come to the site and say ‘Wow, I didn’t know that!’ It evolved to becoming a point of reference for Saint Lucians all over to look at. I try not to get it confused with ‘I am Lucian’ which is a separate campaign, by Swagga Shane who has a different website and a great campaign running with shirts, stickers and more. Dazzle: Whose brainchild is ‘I am St.Lucian’? Fiona: The name was between filmmaker Davina Lee, author Loverly Sheridan, and myself, but I manage the site. Dazzle: What is your biggest achievement thus far? Fiona: Hmm…. Seeing my work in print is nice but

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I really appreciate it when people stop me to say they’ve seen my work and they like it – it keeps my energy going. We at Dazzle Magazine really had fun interviewing Fiona and wish her nothing but success and more barefoot and carefree days. We hope that the fire and passion that stems from her soul, flows through her veins and radiates in her art and life, never ceases and never stops to inspire others. Good Luck Fiona – a true Saint Lucian beauty!

fun facts What do you do to relax? I relax most when I come home. I will go to the beach and have a Piton and I am happy. Which do you favour, sneakers or sandals? Barefoot! What’s your favourite genre of music? Soca and Zouk. Where is your perfect getaway? Ti Kaye Village, Resort & Spa – they do local rates and the food is wonderful. The place is a haven! But I think Saint Lucia has lots of little getaways all over. What’s your favorite movie? Apocalypto – I love the story, how it was shot, the costume design was some of the best I have ever seen. Tamarind balls or SeaWette Jam ? Zoomers.

Read about Ambi on page28

eet 34-year-old Crystian “Chowpeng” Alexander, proprietor of Turbulence Bar and active member of the Team Turbulence. No stranger to entrepreneurship, he is the owner and manager of two registered businesses. These are CGF Tech Limited, which is an I.T. support company, and Turbulence Auto Sport Limited, which deals with car imports. Crystian decided to start CGF Limited after returning to Saint Lucia from school in London and following his employment at Business Office and School Supplies (BOSS) where he worked for a few years, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in I.T. His departure from BOSS was due to his need for self-development, as his desire to grow as an individual set him on a course to achieving his goal of becoming an entrepreneur! Being restricted to a desk between the hours of 8:00am and 4:30pm is definitely not what he had envisioned for the rest of his life. In his own words, “I don’t like to be trapped behind a computer all day long or all night long,” Crystian admitted. He would much rather have a job where he has to go out and meet people. With that said, Crystian had no plans of expanding CGF Limited which he started in 2003, however, to date he still conducts I.T. support

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for a few companies in Castries. The idea to start his own company came after working as a Service Manager for several car dealerships in Saint Lucia, which is where he realised his passion for automobiles. Crystian is very thankful for the experience and knowledge he gained, while working with these dealerships, as he employs the operational and managerial skills into Turbulence Auto Sports. Another aspect drawing him nearer to his dream was his passion for helping customers find a car most suitable to their needs. With this knowledge and passion, Crystian wants to ensure that any individual who visits Turbulence Auto Sports will have an enjoyable customer service experience. When asked what Turbulence stands for, Crystian replied: “Something different; people will get something different, whether it’s entertainment, an event, car show etc. Anything at all; to be different, positively.” Turbulence has surely made its mark here in Saint Lucia, as the logo and branding can be seen on several vehicles and at events. Even Crystian’s new bar carries the name Turbulence! It would be remiss of us not to mention the popular and esteemed automotive social group, also named Turbulence, of which Crystian is an active member.

The Turbulence social group sometimes referred to as Team Turbulence, started in 2002 with only four guys who had an avid love for cars who wanted to show them. Roland Mitchel, Hans Mitchel, Jean Rene Du Boulay and of course Crystian Alexander are the original members of Team Turbulence. The objective of the social club is to promote car shows, host events, give members the opportunity to showcase their cars and to recruit others, so they too could express their love for cars. There is more to Crystian however, than his entrepreneurial ambition, as we learnt of his humanitarian efforts. He believes, “If one does anything for charity, it should not be advertised but instead be done from the goodness of your heart and not for recognition.” Dazzle Magazine had to ask and we were pleased to learn of his charitable exploits around the island. He has worked with Saint Lucia Red Cross, The Holy Family Home in Ciceron and The Faces of Cancer Charity. He also expressed, “One should give back because someone gave us a break in order for us to be successful or comfortable in life. In life, one may not repay the same individuals who helped them along the way, however one can help someone else who may need assistance.”

fun facts Crystians Loves Mondays because he never knows where a Monday will take him; from having a breakfast meeting, to helping out with I.T. support, to assisting a customer with a car. Quote: “Are you living to work or are you working to live because no one is promised tomorrow.” Crystian washes his car to unwind. Support system: friends.”

“My family and my

First car: Mitsubishi L200 pickup with no power steering, no air conditioning, no power windows, 2 wheel drive, 5 steering wraps and an HS Horn Sound or Rims: Rims Favourite cartoon: Super Friends Crystian’s knowledge of Japanese cars came from playing Grand Turismo for Play Station

The Turbulence brand continues to expand. To date, Crystian has opened Turbulence bar, which is located in the heart of the Rodney Bay Village, on the Rodney Bay strip, in the old Capones building. The original concept of the bar, a home away from home, Turbulence bar comes alive on weekends and is very noticeable at night by the bar’s bright blue neon signage. This very breezy, open-air bar is fully stocked with an assortment of premium liquor and other fine alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages. Good music, board games, the free Wifi and good company can also entertain any patron. It is a perfect place to unwind with friends and family or a just to get away from everything. With that, Dazzle Magazine would like to wish Crystian Alexander all the best and success to all his business endeavors.

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phunk your head a little bit. Like many of you, when I hear the name Headphunk, only one thing comes to mind. Someone had a great idea but had to censor it to appease some big-mouthed person out there. Okay, maybe not big-mouthed but you know how small-minded our society can be as it relates to certain things. Now that I have your attention, not that the word Headphunk alone did not grab it, let us focus on what Headphunk is and why we need to phunk your head a little bit.

eadphunk is a movement that promotes the development of creative arts in Saint Lucia. The movement was born out of the need to create a platform for poets and writers for them to showcase their work. The core component of Headphunk was mainly literary-based but has since grown to accommodate other elements of the arts, such as music, painting, photography, fashion, sculpting, film, animation and dance. The name Headphunk speaks for itself as a representation of how the masses feel during a revolution. Some of you may ‘get it’, while some of you will sit for days confused. Needless to say, Headphunk represents liberation of the mind – euphoria after a state of oppression. The Headphunk family is made up of the artists and the audience, which is increasing as the movement presses on. November 2009 marked the first official Headphunk showcase held at the now-closed Charms Café in Castries. As the momentum started to build however, a new venue had to be sourced. The movement had outgrown its first home and ironically in August 2010, with the theme for that month dubbed, “The Movement”, the showcase was housed at the grotto at Samaan’s Park. The warmth of that new home was short-lived as hurricane Tomas had some plans of its own, which wiped out what had become a place of recreation for many – what had become home. Headphunk now culminates on the last Thursday of every month at Samaan’s Park.

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Headphunk is absolutely free and can be attended by “anybody and everybody”. Headphunk is managed by the five original members and has been financed primarily by its members from inception. In spite of the economic challenges and lack of corporate sponsorship, the showcase is put on every month and keeps improving. They have tried to be as self-sufficient as possible, as members of the Headphunk family lend their assistance in services, talents and kind. If this is not persistence at its best and a real appreciation for the arts, then I dare anyone to say otherwise. Some artists who have been featured on the Headphunk stage include renowned performers: Kendal Hippolyte, Adrian Augier, Boo Hinkson, Robert Lee, Shane Ross, Kaylon Lovence, Jane Hippolyte, Flora-Jesse Leonce, Yannick James and Claudius Medouze and Nadia Huggins to name a few. Many opportunities have been created for young artists who have graced the Headphunk stage, as persons have acknowledged them for their talents and seen their potential in developing a career. The vision for Headphunk is that all artists from Saint Lucia will become part of the movement. The hope is that the movement can reach everyone in Saint Lucia and become a brand; so that when someone speaks or hears about Headphunk, it will resonate in his or her mind. It is also important that the group can continue to make a significant difference in the development of the arts movement here in Saint Lucia. The founders would also like to see the movement branch out regionally and become a brand in the other islands. Whilst the group is not yet affiliated with other literary groups outside of Saint Lucia, their connections are far-reaching. There have been international artists who have graced the stage and partnerships have been formed since the inception of the group.

Headphunk is no stranger to magazine features. In addition to being in this glossy – the very first issue of Dazzle, Headphunk was featured in the very first issue of the Arc Magazine – a Caribbean Art and Culture publication. I have personally experienced Headphunk on all fronts and it has been an experience of a lifetime. There is so much talent here in Saint Lucia just waiting to be discovered. I must applaud the founders of Headphunk for putting this movement together, for their sheer determination and commitment to the arts movement in Saint Lucia. I urge all Saint Lucians, regardless of creed or religion, both young and old to come out on the last Thursday of every month to support Headphunk. To the corporate houses that are continuously in search of a worthwhile venture, you have yet to see the desire, talents and expertise of our artists. Be a part of the movement, lend your support and who knows, you may one day become an honourary Headphunker.

fun facts Founders of Headphunk: • Shayne Cherry: guitarist, writer • Germaine Joseph: architect/visual arts, writer • Julius Hollenseide: videographer • Naomie Grandison: singer/songwriter, guitarist • Clayton Rhule: photographer, sculptor, painter, writer, graphic artist Headphunk provides that intimacy between the audience and the artists because the movement is about sharing your work with art lovers and artists alike. Most Memorable Headphunk experience: Séance - true depiction of our culture, held on August 30th, 2012 Word of advice to anyone with a talent: Explore, love and develop your talent. Let it become part of you. Be the best at anything you do. Always improve your talent. Mix with people who have the experience. Come to Headphunk. Why wine and cheese? To create an atmosphere and add to the ambiance to help people enjoy the showcase. Headphunk call: Kaw kawwwww!!!! One of your biggest Supporters: Charles Cadet

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DAZZLE 23

D E S P E R AT E F O R

The Windward & Leeward Brewery is very proud to introduce Desperados, the first tequila flavoured beer. Desperados is a cutting edge, modern alternative to other conventional drinks! It is a highly refreshing, gold coloured and full-bodied lager, with the extra kick of tequila. With its distinctive combination of beer and tequila, Desperados revolutionises drinking codes and shakes up traditions in the beer market. It is positioned between international premium lagers and spirits by using spirit imagery and successfully finding sources of growth in both categories. Desperados will be available in its 33cl iconic premium bottle, which provides consumers with a highly sensorial experience through its engraving, firm shoulders, massive base and other tactile features. Its transparent bottle emphasises the productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appeal. It is best served â&#x20AC;&#x153;super chilledâ&#x20AC;? at 3-5 degrees Celsius. Cheers!

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Using Facebook to Market Your Business Presently, facebook is the most popular social media network with over half a billion users logged on daily! This social media – which is free – makes for an effective marketing tool for your business. In Saint Lucia, the population is approximately 176,000, 57,080 of which are facebook users. This means it is possible for a business organisation to reach at least 30% of the population through the social media giant. Therefore companies can advertise products and services and post information, through this medium for greater exposure. A company’s facebook page can achieve its marketing goals by making regular postings such as relevant status updates and picture and video uploads. These should be interesting as those are the ones that are more likely to be shared, commented on or ‘Liked’ which increases the page’s reach. This can help acquire more fans who are potential customers for the business.

C A

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TO “LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK

Here are 10 reasons why facebook is important to your business: 1. Facebook can increase traffic to your website or physical location 2. Currently it is one of the cheapest means of advertising 3. Majority of business customers use facebook 4. It is a way for your business to engage with customers 5. Your business’s credibility can be built using this social network 6. Fans can learn about a business via its facebook page 7. Can help users to locate your business 8. Fans who ‘Like’ business pages constantly receive updates, once the organisation makes updates 9. Aids in company branding 10. Companies can inform their customers regularly through posting updates on the business page’s wall

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Get All Muddy!

Touch Therapies: St. Lucia's most exquisite getaway hidden in Rodney bay. We offer that unique tropical experience of a true island paradise with services such as pedicures, manicures, facials and wide range of massages and unique body treatments. Leave everything behind and let our licensed therapists take you into a place of serenity - true tropical paradise. Touch Therapies...we offer the same fantastic services that you would expect from a spa resort at a fraction of the price.

ost people today are striving for perfect health, which includes having healthy-looking skin, a fit body and seemingly eternal youth. A good source of eternal youth, believe it or not, is the mud body wrap. With natural healing properties, mud body wraps are known to relax sore or tense muscles, stimulate circulation, draw out impurities as it cleanses, and renew firmness and elasticity to the skinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm Saturday: 9:00am -6:00pm

Mud, being a detoxifier stimulates blood flow underneath the skin and pulls out toxins that have entered your body through the food you eat, the chemicals in the air and any medicines you may take. The process includes the mud being applied to your skin, you are then wrapped tightly in order to keep the mud warm, which aids in the detoxification. After about 20 minutes, you are unwrapped and the mud is washed off, revealing radiant skin.

Tel:- 758.452.9901 / 758.284.3772 BBM Pin#: 2362E8CC touchtherapies@gmail.com www.touchtherapiesspastlucia.com

As a result of the mud wrap process, your skin is left feeling cleaner, softer and tighter, thereby, appearing more youthful. Mud body wraps have also been known to tighten and firm up the entire body, making you feel leaner and slimmer. Available at Touch Therapies Day Spa

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DAZZLE 27

His journey to the top!

A M P L I F I E D ! Carnival 2012 was filled with lots of surprises! Without a doubt, Ambi’s performance throughout the season, while remarkably astonishing, did not come as a surprise to many. For a lot of persons, Ambi’s rise to the top was inevitable. Ambrose “Ambi” Dwayne Joseph has been dazzling the Saint Lucian audience since 2010. Today, he is chatting with Dazzle Magazine about his experience as an artiste, songwriter and performer in Saint Lucia and the rest of the world. Dazzle Magazine was completely caught off-guard by Ambi who sat quietly, waiting to be interviewed. He was nothing like his lively and exciting stage persona, which usually has hundreds of fans jumping and waving to his lyrical creativity and stage antics. Very intriguing are his humble and warm characteristics, which radiates not only in his smile but also through his personality. Ambi, who started singing with the Take Over Tent in 2010, says that he was encouraged by his family and friends to push himself and join a formal tent. After much coaxing, he decided to ‘try a ting’ and brave the stage and studio. That same year, he was a Power Soca Monarch finalist and placed second in the first ever Piton Soca Starz competition with his power soca song “Push Dem”. He also released “So Long” – both songs written by him and produced by Mathias. 28

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Coming from a family of entertainers, Ambi makes special mention of his father and uncles who are professional dancers and his brother, renowned Saint Lucian Soca artiste, Ricky T. Dazzle also learnt that his younger sister was crowned Barbados’s Carnival Queen when she participated in the Show, and his younger brother placed second in this year’s RC Jam. For “So Long”, Ambi explains how he ‘caught the vibe’ for that track, “so long I had been waiting for carnival to come. I was reminded that I was part of a tent now, so I started by singing, then I went home, took my pen and paper and started writing!” It was very entertaining watching Ambi’s excitement come alive as he relived that moment, swaying from side to side as he told the story. When asked who inspires him, he said, “Ricky T will always be the first one, followed Bunji Garlin and Bounty Killa for dancehall.” Ambi admits that he also likes rap music but favours dancehall, “I like originality and reality tunes, something that people can relate to. I do my music for the world, anything that’s happening, like the song “Chanting” which is about reality.” He said.

When we teased Ambi about songs related to ‘whining on de bumpa’, he responded by saying, “At times you have to come with a different state of mind. You can’t come with the same thing every time. You have to do something to elevate the people and let them see that there is someone out there seeing what’s happening and who wants to do something about it.” Aside from Ricky T, Ambi admires artists like, Ninja Dan – especially as he focuses on positivity, Platinum George, Mongstar, J Budds, Sergi, D-Sean, Qpid and Teddyson John. He also had to shout-out to his Dutch Productions family, as they’ve been a great support team to him. In response to which artistes he has learnt from the most, Ambi said, “I learnt from Machel Montano. He always has

something to catch the crowd and keep them on their feet. I have learnt how to win the crowd over by mixing my vibe with that of Machel and Ricky T, while I look towards Bunji for ideas for lyrics.” Ambi admits that two of his favourite songs of the season were “Come Here” by J Budds and “St. Lucia We Love” by Mongstar, produced of course by, the Dutch Productions camp. Dazzle knows a secret about Ambi but we won’t dare tell you…at least not yet! Here’s a hint, to anyone who wants to brighten up Ambi’s day. Feel free to call a radio station and request ‘Madam La’. This is guaranteed to make his day! Read more about Ambi at www.dazzlethemag. com/Ambi

fun facts • Musical label you would like to work with: Dutch Productions Studios • Three of your favourite Lucian soca songs: “Mosquito”, “St. Lucia We Love” and “Come Here” • Favourite Artist: Mongstar • Favourite movie of all time: Taken • If you had to play for an NBA team, which would it be? Miami Heat • Ralph Lauren Polo or Lacoste? Ralph Lauren Polo www.dazzlethemag.com

DAZZLE 29

Recipe for Traditional Penmi

Ingredients: 1 lb cornmeal Â˝ coconut finely grated Âž pound sugar 8 ounces pumpkin boiled and mashed Finely grated cinnamon to taste Water or milk (to combine mixture) Optional: raisins, cherries

Method: 1. Grate coconut finely. 2. Boil and mash pumpkin. 3. Mix together in a large bowl cornmeal, sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin and coconut. 4. Add water or milk until mixture is moist and comes together. 5. Over a lit coal pot, heat banana or local makanbou leaves until slightly brown. Scoop up penmi mixture using a spoon, place on leaf, wrap and finally tie with thread. (You may also use foil paper for a more modern form) 6. Cook until firm in a pan of boiling water lightly flavoured with cinnamon sticks.

Distributed by Du Boulayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bottling Co Ltd Tel:452-2280

D U B O U L AY S B O T T L I N G C O M PA N Y LT D .

With the Launch of the new Samsung Galaxy SIII, Dazzle reviews this new and exciting handset. The new Samsung Galaxy SIII is lighter, thinner and glossier making it very comfortable in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand. According to Samsung, the Galaxy SIII is inspired by nature as it sees, listens, responds, and allows you to share the greatest moments. The device can be charged with any standard USB cable and has a removable/ replaceable battery. Another cool feature is the HDMI support which allows video or movies to be watched directly from the device to your TV. The Android operating system which is developed by Google gives Samsung Galaxy SIII users the opportunity to download various apps to suit their livestyle. To-date, Android has over 657,000 apps available for download which includes the famous Whatsapp messenger, Skype, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Google Maps to name a few. The Samsung Galaxy SIII consumers have a choice between a 16, 32 or 64 Gig device and can acquire more space, with the use of a microSD card. It is hard to say whether the Samsung Galaxy SIII is the best Smartphone available today, however, in many ways Samsung's latest device outshines its competition

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Features • 8.0 Megapixels (rare facing) Camera with autofocus and digital zoom • 1.9 Megapixels (front facing) Camera • CPU Speed: 1.40 GHz • RAM: 2,048 MB • Operating system: Anroid • Storage: 16.0 GB • Removable Memory: microSD/microSDHC • Removable Storage (maximum): 64 GB • 4.8" HD Super AMOLED display • Connectivity: 3G ,Bluetooth, WiFi, Mobile Broadband • Video call • Talk time (up to) 12hrs 40mins • Standby time (up to) 770hrs • Charge time (up to) 3hrs

Could be better The only noticeable issues with Samsung's new Smartphone are: 1. The screen is not as bright as other smart phones 2. S Voice has a slow response time.

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DAZZLE 35

To Fly or Not To Fly?

Destination Wedding vs. Local Wedding

lmost anyone who has planned a wedding or who has participated in one, has probably said, “Never me again!” yet there are some who revel in planning weddings and would do it time and time again. Whether it is a small intimate affair or a large glamorous wedding, one thing is for sure, your wedding day is meant to be a memorable occasion. Dazzle has done quite a bit of research on weddings and will agree that planning one can be very stressful. It starts with picking the right date, to the type of dress or suit to wear, to the venue, to catering and transportation all the while remaining happy and composed throughout the entire process. Dazzle shares the findings here. Destination Wedding The globe is shrinking making travel a lot easier and more affordable. There may be many objections to hosting a destination wedding such as extra expenses, guests being unable to attend, planning is extremely

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tedious and most importantly, the fear of nuptial vows not being binding once you return. However, to all of these there are simple solutions. They are: 1. Researching your destination and its currency is extremely helpful. Practicing some pragmatism and keeping a close eye on the currency exchange rates, often works out to be way cheaper than a big wedding at home. Choosing to have your wedding in the off-season or a destination closer to home is also a cost effective idea. Payment plans are also available for you and your guests, which is helpful in creating an affordable experience for everyone. 2. A destination wedding can be your dream wedding, coupled with the perfect honeymoon and vacation all in one. Doesn’t this sound like the best thing ever? Most hotels and resorts offer wedding/honeymoon packages. Even more ideal is the fact that the resort handles all arrangements.

3. All you need to do is show-up and indulge. If you don’t want your dream wedding turning into a big circus affair, filled with faintly-remembered relatives and nodding acquaintances, a destination wedding can be a tactful way to dissuade them from attending. With group travel you and your guests can benefit from significant savings and added incentives. 4. With a smaller list, you can keep the ceremony intimate, more romantic – ‘just the two of you’ – with no worries and no guest list. Simply lose yourselves in true wedding bliss. Local Wedding While some persons may be moving away from tradition and expanding their view of the world, some persons still prefer to remain close to home. Like the common phrase says, “There’s no place like home!” Also, some people are very family oriented and would like nothing more than to be surrounded by their family and friends. Additionally, some persons choose to have a local wedding, as they believe it will be cheaper, getting bargains from local businesses they may already know. Here are a few reasons to choose a local wedding: 1. Usually at a traditional wedding you can invite just about anyone, since you don’t have to pick and choose who to invite. The majority of the persons invited, will more than likely attend which results in higher guest attendance.

2. With local vendors it is easy to determine whether the local vendor will actually be able to deliver what was promised. Couples can visit ceremony and reception locations, get samples of the food, and see the florist’s work prior to the big day. You may also want to be actively involved in the planning of your wedding. 3. The duration of a local wedding should also be taken into consideration. A local wedding lasts one day as opposed to a destination wedding, which will go on for days. Traditional weddings do not have the same expectations as a destination wedding. The bride and groom are only expected to mix and mingle with their guests the day of the wedding. 4. There is no need for travel logistics. In planning a destination wedding, couples have to consider accessibility to the wedding location and if their guests can afford it. With the weight restrictions implemented by most airlines, couples would have to take into consideration luggage charges, which can be fairly expensive. With a local one, couples don’t have to worry about getting favours, decorations, wedding attire, etc. from destination A to B. Every couple has different needs, and before making a decision on a local wedding or a destination wedding, they should sit down and write a list of pros and cons specific to their nuptials in order to determine which is the best decision for them.

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DAZZLE 37

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