Caribbean Power Lunch

Kevin Valley introduces the rebranding of the podcast from Caribbean Power Lunch to The Value and what to expect in future episodes.    

In this episode, I talk to global keynote speaker, resilience expert and author Michael K. Jackson. Having overcome significant challenges on his own personal and professional life, Michael walks us through what it takes to Build Back Stronger. This episode is a much needed lesson on resilience, adversity, and hope as well as uncovering Michael's P-L-A-N framework: a method for dealing with problems, difficulties, and conflicts on the journey to success.

In his time, Platinum Album selling and Grammy Award-Winning musician, Peter Tosh was well-known for his advocacy for equal rights and the legalization of cannabis. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1987 but his legacy lives on.  “You can talk about things till you're blue in the face, but sometimes you just got to go through it,” says Niambe McIntosh, the youngest daughter of the legend on this episode of Caribbean Power Lunch.  In our discussion, Niambe shares the tumultuous learning curve, challenges, victories, and growth she experienced as the administrator of her father's brand and legacy. As a formidable businesswoman and visionary, Niambe serves as the head of the Peter Tosh Legacy and Brand; Managing Member of Tosh Holdings LLC (IP); Board Chairperson for the Peter Tosh Foundation Ltd.; and the President of PT Capital LLC (Cannabis). Listen in as she shares the thought-provoking realities of:  - Crafting the direction of a legacy brand, - Understanding the importance of dedicating time and resources to “fixing the past” to create a sustainable future, and  - Why she needed to fire her entire team and the journey of building a new strategic team through networking.

The first thing you need to know is that it is NOT all about your pitch.  Preparing to speak to investors is about a lot more than a polished pitch deck. Business owners should also understand how to outline what makes their companies Investible, including how to identify who your customers are, what they need, and how are you are solving their problems. In this episode, Zahra Alleyne walks through the process of developing an Investible business model and what to consider when preparing to present to potential investors.  

Founding team Brian and Ingrid Jahra discuss the evolution of CinemaONE, the Caribbean's first IMAX experience, the pioneering step of becoming the first SME IPO in T&T, and the challenges of building a sustainable, wealth-generating business, while also focusing on future growth and possibilities. In this conversation, we unpacked: Importance of the IPO for SMEs How to get to the IPO? What Is the Process? What the Business Valuation process entails Marketing the IPO Evolution of CinemaOne Growth of the Brand/Success Story How to Develop the Customer Experience    

At one point or another, we've all experienced the great inconvenience of car troubles. From car accidents to a blown tire or stalled battery - each one of these scenarios can seriously change the course of your day...right? So how do you turn this everyday occurrence into a multimillion-dollar business? In this “Become Investible” feature, we take a closer look at Total Convenience Management Ltd… from a startup leasing and rental company to the group of companies it manages to date. Every business has the potential to “become investible” - TCM grew its company through understanding the demand for their services and continuing to push the envelope in satisfying its customers. TCM is only one of many stories found right here in the Caribbean.

Can your business survive without you? Did you know that 85% of failed business transitions occur because of poor communication, mistrust, and lack of planning?   Rochelle Clarke is a business advisor who specializes in keeping businesses in business with business continuity planning and transition preparation. Through her company, she ensures that retiring leaders, their incoming successors, and the businesses that support them are ready to move successfully to the next stage of their business' lifecycle whether by succession or sale.   If the words: "Planning for the Unplanned'' ring clearly when she speaks, then "Be ready" echoes her sentiment.   Transitions may need to occur on any occasion and businesses must be adequately prepared for the change.    The Founder of Succession Strength, and the platform Continuity Strength, International keynote speaker, lecturer, and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, Rochelle is also the author of "The 5 Critical Succession Conversations: A Comprehensive Guide for the Family Business".   In this episode, we discuss: Business Continuity Planning, Business Transition, Succession Planning and Preparation, The difference between the entrepreneur and the family business owner, and  6 tips for working with family and friends.   Succession Strength - Keeping businesses in business for generations.

Conferences, Cannabis, and Mushrooms. These seem disconnected, right? Well, actually, there's one common factor… “Five or six years down the line, if I do nothing… have I really been a good Caribbean citizen?” – Douglas K. Gordon. Douglas is the founder of CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo, an annual business event that connects top cannabis industry experts, and CEO of Silo Wellness, an alternative, and holistic health company focused on functional mushroom and psychedelic opportunities. In this episode, Kevin Valley speaks with Douglas K. Gordon about the business of natural medicine business while addressing misconceptions and misinformation about cannabis and functional mushrooms.   Controversial? Perhaps. Informative? Yes! This conversation uncovers: Strategies used to create, maneuver challenges and expand a premier Caribbean event. The story behind the legacy collaboration with the Marley brand. The mind, body, and soul… Rest, resetting, and restoration through nature.

"Pain will find you, but you determine the length of its visit" - Jay Blessed. Jay Blessed is an award-winning content creator and host of the In My Head Podcast which focuses on mental health. In this timely episode, Kevin Valley and Jay Blessed have an open and frank discussion around: Silent suffering, especially among men, Dealing with pain, and The 12-step healing process.

When everyone you know is having the same problem, the solution might be a successful business.  Kadion Preston, Co-Founder, and CEO of CaribShopper saw an opportunity to solve a common problem among Caribbean merchants and consumers by providing an easier way to buy goods from the United States. When the original business model ran into challenges, the founders pivoted to solve another problem for their customers, now giving Caribbean merchants the opportunity to sell to overseas consumers. This shift, and the drive to find the investment capital to support it, came just before 2020, forcing even further innovation and evolution. Kadion's journey is an example of the importance of embracing the opportunities presented, overcoming tragedy, and understanding that failure is a big part of the formula for success. To assess the investibility of your business in under 6 minutes, go to becomeinvestible.com/scorecard  

Unless a valuation can withstand intense scrutiny - it is just a number. Defensibility is everything. ‍ Whether you are seeking to raise capital, negotiate investment terms, or sell your business - a defensible valuation is your starting point.   In this episode, Chartered Business Valuator, Kevin Valley discusses how a valuation engagement is conducted and what determines the value of your business.

For many entrepreneurs hoping to grow or scale their business, successfully sourcing investment capital is a major pain point. What investors are looking for can be a mystery. This episode features a panel discussion with expert investors and finance professionals who give insight into why businesses succeed or fail to attract investment and outline what business owners can do to become more Investible. Panelists include: Chris Williams of PROVEN Investments, Beresford Grey of SYGNUS Capital, Karrian Hepburn-Malcolm of The Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation, Kriss Marcus of Aspire Fund Management Company Limited, and Vashtie Dookiesingh of The Inter-American Development Bank.

In this episode, we discuss how to increase the investibility of your business, create your own wealth engine, and how to protect, extract, diversify, and smoothly transfer that wealth to the next generation. This episode features Zahra Alleyne from Become Investible and Tennille Whiskey from the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation. Topics covered include: Building an Investible Business Risk Management Wealth Extraction Diversification of Income Streams Wealth Transfer

Can we become investible? I recently sat down with Dike Rostant at TTT News station to discuss the professional services I offer; from business valuations to working with businesses to attract investment. I also offered my perspectives on what is needed to foster a favourable environment for business, how to fortify our private sector, and what drives me to do all that I do.

It is not always about doing things better, but sometimes we simply need to do better things.   This belief is near and dear to the heart of Sian Cuffy-Young, a social entrepreneur who is driven by the need for environmental change and waste management education.   In this episode, we discuss: Sian's journey and reason for becoming an environmental entrepreneur, Reframing her mindset from student and employee to business owner, Social Entrepreneurship: Environment and Business Case, How to get started without funding, An introduction to landfilling, and What's next for Siel Environmental.   Sian recently launched her book "Ky's Magical Adventures" to teach children about waste management and awaken the Eco-Hero within them.

Let's talk about Serial Entrepreneurship. From music to catering to tech to events, Osei Wright-Alexis has brought his business start-up formula to bear on numerous ventures over the last 15 years. Hear him explain how he knows which idea is going to be next, and when it's time to move on.  Once the challenge is gone, serial entrepreneurs are always looking for the next business spark to develop. Bringing an idea to fruition is exciting, but making sure a business is ready before you move takes focus, patience, a thorough understanding of the market, and then sometimes tedious formulation of the systems and processes that underlie successful operation.  Osei walks us through his successes, failures, and lessons, and drops some serious wisdom for those of you who have too many ideas and don't know where to start.

Mind. Your. Business. When breaking out on your own, there is no such thing as being overprepared.  If you want to start a business and you think you are either too young or too inexperienced, this conversation with Kyle Maloney will show you that none of that matters as much as knowing your business better than anyone else.  His research-based borderline obsessive approach impressed investors who may have been skeptical of investing in a few 20-somethings and underpinned his ability to learn from mistakes to grow a series of better, stronger, successful businesses. In this vault episode of Caribbean Power Lunch featuring Kyle Maloney, we discussed how ChefMade works, the value of being over-prepared, the Tech Beach Retreat conference series, the future landscape of tech in the Caribbean, the plight of F1RST, and harnessing the power of fear.

Leading an active lifestyle from a young age, fighting early-onset diabetes, becoming an academic scholar – Kerrie-Kim Kirton left his secure corporate job in December 2015, to turn his passion for lifestyle fitness into the business known today as All In Fitness.   In this episode, we discussed: Why Kerrie is called the ‘fittest diabetic’  Kerrie’s 9-month search for employment after successfully completing 2 degrees in Economics  Leaving the ‘safety-net’ of the corporate world to pursue your passion  Building customer loyalty & repeat clientele  The philosophy behind the All In Fitness brand Practical advice for those who believe they are “too busy” to exercise. Yes, YOU. An update on what Kerrie is up to now, and Top Tip for entrepreneurs.

What does the word “recession” bring to mind? For many, it evokes saving, shrinking, and worrying about job loss and rising debt. After listening to this conversation with finance professional Maria Daniel and business owner Gerard Edwards, though, you will have a different understanding of the possibilities that a financial downturn can bring for business growth and transformation. In accepting that life in the “new normal” will not be the same, business owners can be empowered to adapt intelligently, making decisions that create opportunities instead of obstacles. You will learn strategies to reach new customers, how to identify your customers’ problems, and how to understand your numbers in a way that puts you in control of your business’ future.

This is a long one, but it is worth every minute. Terri-Karelle graciously sat with us for over three hours and shared her wisdom and experience on turning failures into opportunities, the importance of being genuine, and how to find power in being your authentic self. From immersing herself in an academic program taught in a language she did not speak in order to pursue her dream, to overcoming the opinions and criticisms of others by standing in her own confidence, Terri's path has at times been far from what was expected, but it has definitely been inspiring.  Terri's zeal for life, her faith in her purpose and gifts, and her comfort with being uncomfortable, have all contributed to the success she has achieved so far, and with her approach the sky is truly the limit. Get your notebook ready, because the gems are truly overflowing from this one!

“Until Everywhere is Free” is a statement that encapsulates the hope of Muhammad Muwakil, a Trinidadian poet, musician and in some ways, a modern-day renaissance man, Who, with the help of many others, is creating a new sound for calypso music. In today’s episode, Muhammad tells us his story about how he is paving his way in the world on his own terms, along the path of his entrepreneurial journey and self-discovery.

As business owners during these trying times, we are constantly being advised to ‘go digital’ in order to be sustainable and agile. However, putting that into action does not look the same for everyone. Should we start with a website or build an Instagram following? How much does it cost? In this our first Become Investible RoundTable discussion, we discuss how to utilize different digital tools to manage, market, and grow a business, and analyze and leverage data to make the most of digital investments. Both Shelly-Ann Gajadhar and Keron Rose have built and grown their own businesses using different digital strategies. Tune in to learn from their experiences and get the information needed to build out an effective digital strategy for any business.

We all have a story to tell and a lot to learn from one another. Technology makes conversations and linkages possible more easily, as long as we are willing to listen. In this Season 5 finale, we talk to filmmaker, storyteller and digital media specialist Adrena Ifill, about how to share your story, learn from your history and find your own space in the world and in business. Adrena speaks to the importance of engaging and leveraging the power of the diaspora and making history every day. Get ready to take notes as she shares wisdom for creative entrepreneurs and all business owners on how to determine your worth, price your services, find and interview your clients, and maintain control and power over your professional journey in these more volatile economic times. Adrena Ifill is an award-winning digital media producer and lecturer. She takes history off the shelf and makes it come alive! Her firm, Ifill/DoubleBack Global Group, specializes in preserving and producing culture and history projects. 

Who are you? Why are you here? These were the questions posed to Akosua Edwards by a female-driven collective in rural Uganda, where she had gone to take her knowledge as a successful accountant to give advice and guidance to grow their business. Little did she know she would be the one who ended up learning the most, uncovering new truths about the meaning of success, purpose and self-love. The answer, she found, was that “You are here to give out the gift the universe put into you.” Identifying her gift has taken Akosua on a journey from unemployed accountant to successful author and award-winning social entrepreneur. Tune in (LINK IN BIO) to hear Akosua speak powerfully about the impact of a strong community, the freedom that comes from releasing those things that do not drive your purpose, and the role that business can play in creating not only commercial success, but also significant social change.

Money may not buy happiness but it sure does give you options! On this episode, financial planner Melinda Belle reveals simple strategies for debt management, and also shares some tips for budgeting, saving, and giving your money purpose and direction. Find out how to improve your “financial self-esteem”, the power of tracking your spending, and why you should really stop comparing yourself with others. Ever wondered how you can build a business with zero dollars? Tune in to find out!

Aldwyn Wayne is the Founder and CEO of WiPay which provides innovative solutions for e-commerce, online payments and facilitating digital transactions for the unbanked. In this episode, Aldwyn speaks about the need for challenge and competition in the technology space, and the need for input and innovation to elevate the industry in the Caribbean and beyond. Tune in to hear the challenges faced when making his place in the financial space, the power of knowing your worth, making your own path and always working toward and expecting success and excellence. Don’t miss Aldwyn’s take on leveraging the potential of the Internet for wealth creation, and his inspiring, practical advice for all aspiring entrepreneurs who may see obstacles instead of opportunities.

Keron Rose returns to Caribbean Power Lunch to share his journey from mobile expert to digital entrepreneur and talks with Kevin about why he was driven to start keronrose.com and where his vision will take him next. Keron pulls no punches as he lays out the reasons why many entrepreneurs are not seeing success, the key steps to building the right brand partnerships, and reveals the systems he uses to find his passions and figure out his next moves as a solopreneur. Learn about the power of “niching down”, getting specific and being consistent. Do you how to identify the correct online platforms to grow your business and the reason why everyone, even students, should and can have a website? Get ready to take notes for this class on building a digital business, making money while you sleep, and making a business idea a reality in the Caribbean.

A Journey to Self through the lens of Angel Joseph - makeup developer and owner of Imagine Makeup - a Trinbagonian beauty company that provides makeup services and products for the Caribbean. Angel bares her soul and tells her truth in a way that she has never told it before. More than makeup, Angel strives to reveal the beauty of her clients - both on the outside and the inside.

In this episode we delve into an idea crafted by a young black woman, Charielle Plowden. Through her upcoming podcast "Positive Paychecks", Charielle desires to become her audience's financial friend as she helps them navigate their spending, investing and money habits. Her personality can turn a mundane topic like finance and make it fun.  Listen as she uncovers her compelling story of an anxiety-crippled little girl to a powerful presenter as she takes us through her journey to financial education and investment advisory. With four years of experience in the financial services sector and now a licensed TTSEC advisor, Charielle is ready to hit the ground running with her podcast series!

Jessica Alexander is what we call a Lifestyle Curator. Her company Sa Nou St. Lucia sources and packages the very best of Saint Lucia, both in terms of quality and the look of the products. Sa Nou focuses on what the customer not only wants to get but how they want to feel. The boxes are visually invoking as well as emotionally invoking. For Saint Lucians, at home or abroad, they could be a piece of home, evoking memories and nostalgia. For others, the custom, artistic products, and elegant packaging make people feel special and see the variety of high-quality offerings from Saint Lucia.  In this episode we discuss: How Sa Nou Saint Lucia Started Quality Assurance How to Identify and Serve Your Market Jessica's Story of the Renegade Pitch What Does Your Support Network Look Like?  

Christian Lecorps grew up in Haiti without reliable electricity. He was 4 when his bedroom caught fire during a blackout, and 7 when he almost got electrocuted. 20 years after that fire,  powered by the passion of changing the fate of younger “Christian”s” and of anyone who would face the same issues, he got his degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute ( Massachusetts, US ). Atlas Prime NRG was then born from that unstoppable desire to make a difference. Atlas Prime NRG aims at making all the small islands, and developing states, energy independent, assist in reversing climate change, and prevent extreme weather patterns to effectively saving billions of lives. Atlas' solution is called CARIES which is short for Compressed Air Renewable Integrated Energy Solution. The startup aims to produce drop-in replacement for diesel and natural gas electric generators in developing markets that has negative emissions, the highest capacity factor in the energy industry, and can be scaled up to the size of power plants to power entire cities and islands.

"Appreciate people", these are the sentiments echoed by Gabriel Martino - a phrase he often heard growing up from his father, a tradesman. On this episode of Caribbean Power Lunch, we hear how an immigrant investment banker bought a granite company in Maryland after flipping houses in then-distressed Baltimore. Gabriel used his storytelling abilities and his most unique attributes as a means of setting himself apart from competitors to win contract negotiations with top hotel chains across America. His message is "shoot your shot; you can't hit if you don't shoot". Gabriel shares stories of some of the shots he took (business ventures he pursued) and how they worked out for him. He defied all odds and stuck to his guns. His investment strategy when it comes to real estate: buy low in distressed communities, remodel, refurbish then resell high. As he puts it "where people see crisis, I see opportunity".

Kevin Valley dives deep with transformational life and motivational coach / Hollywood actor Darius Marcellin in a compelling interview. Darius is Trinidadian born but moved to New York to chase his dream of becoming a basketball player for the Knicks. That dream was laid to rest when he received a full scholarship and stipend to attend St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York. His passion for entertaining still lingered and he discovered an opportunity to ignite his passion plus get paid through club promotions in the New York City nightlife. Understanding that building social currency or wealth is important in today's society, Darius sets out to build rapport with some of the hottest celebrities Kanye West, Sean Paul, and Trinidad and Tobago's homegrown Machel Montano. Listen to this interview to learn how Darius moved through the ranks from flipping iPhones on his visits home, to cleaning houses in New Jersey, to an actor in Hollywood and restaurant owner. In this interview, you will hear how he attributes much of his success to vision boards and vulnerability. Darius and Kevin provide a road map to anyone trying to penetrate the acting industry in NYC or Hollywood and for persons interested in events, specifically nightlife.

Kevin Valley gives a tell-all to Dhano Mc Nicol on the We Are Crayons podcast of his journey from timid dreamer to tenacious podcaster. From a tender age he always had an innate curiosity for human behaviour and applied to study psychology. Little did he know, the University of the West Indies determined his destiny and placed him in a banking and finance major. Growing up in a family of investment banking siblings and a father who was a minister in the ministry in finance it was a "no brainer" to follow in his family's footsteps amassing over 10 years in the financial services sector. However, Kevin's inquisitiveness and desire to understand people never left him and he ignited that fuel through his podcast Caribbean power lunch. Drawing from the likes of his favourite podcasters Kevin added his own unique flavour to highlight the journeys of black entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the Caribbean. Kevin tears down the taboo of black-owned businesses and tells us how he transformed grief into a force to propel him towards self-efficacy and opened up new possibilities and opportunities for himself.  

Kevin Valley gets interviewed on radio station WPFW 89.3FM in Washington DC by the folks of Timba Republic.   

Selwyn is the Founder and Creative Director of TEN Habitat, which is the entrepreneurship hub located in Barbados and producer of the signature event - Caribbean Startup Summit. The Caribbean Startup Summit is TEN Habitat's flagship annual event. It brings together a global team of startup experts, founders and entrepreneur resource providers to help empower startups in the region. The event is designed to inspire dreamers and empower ideas. Selwyn's brand development work has been featured on several international campaigns to create new brand identities and increase market penetration and has also been immortalized on the Guyanese $5 coin which he designed. Turn up the volume and enjoy this discussion as we dissect Selwyn's formula of Mindset | Skillset | Reset as the key to sustainable success in business.  

Storm Saulter is a filmmaker and visual artist from Negril, Jamaica, on a mission to create universal stories wrapped in the complex social and cultural dynamics of the Caribbean.   Storm served as writer, director and cinematographer on his award-winning feature film “Better Mus’ Come,” hailed by critics as signaling a fresh new movement of independent filmmaking throughout the Caribbean. His latest movie "Sprinter" is set to release on April 24th.   SPRINTER tells the story of Akeem Sharp (Dale Elliott), who is set to be Jamaica’s next big track-and-field sensation. Akeem hopes a rise in the track-and- field world will take him to the U.S. to reunite him with his mother (Lorraine Toussaint, Orange is the New Black), who has supported the family while living as an illegal resident for over a decade. But Akeem’s rising star is weighed down by turmoil at home: a volatile father, and an unruly older brother who insinuates himself into Akeem’s career as a means of escaping – or perhaps enhancing – his scam artist hustle. Not only does Akeem have to prove to himself and to everyone that he can succeed, but also overcome the struggles that may ultimately bring him down.   The film is Executive Produced by Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith along with NBA Veteran and NBA Personality Richard Jefferson.

Georgina Terry, FCCA PMP – The Passions to Profitability Expert – is a business and career coach with a difference – a qualified accountant, mentor, change management consultant, local /international inspirational speaker, International Labour Organizational (ILO) certified trainer, Project Management Professional and author of the bestselling book ‘The Amazing Race to Entrepreneurial Freedom’.   Before moving to Trinidad in 2001, she worked for The Economist and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Georgina is also on the following boards: Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago, British Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, and Shift! Caribbean.   Georgina, who is originally from London, England, is MD of Business & People Development Associates Limited (BPD). BPD provides career and business coaching, cost management and business transformation services to aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses.   In this episode, we discuss:   - Georgina's personal journey from Passion to Profitability; - The Amazing Race to Entrepreneurial Freedom; - Sales & Marketing vs. Product Perfecting; and - Remaining Relevant in the rise of Technology.

Keron Bascombe is an Agricultural Journalist and Enthusiast who founded the company Tech4Agri to act as a platform awakening the public to the multitude of technological applications that exist in agriculture, as well as highlighting the work of young "Agripreneurs".  Tech4agri has won numerous awards over the years and has provided Keron the opportunity to travel to over 30 countries across all continents to continue his work; focusing on technology, innovation, and climate change.In this episode, we discuss: Food security and sustainability,  The current lack of scale and investment in Agriculture, and what can and must be done to rectify this.

Kerra Denel migrated to Toronto from Trinidad and Tobago at the age of 12. Today, she continues to fly the Caribbean flag high through her event "Caribbean Women's Power Lunch" (not related). Kerra has integrated her business management expertise with her passion for Caribbean culture to drive marketing, media and promotional campaign strategies reaching millions of people. She has developed a strong reputation for professional quality event production, artiste management, public relations, marketing and consulting in geographically dispersed locations. In this bonus episode, we discuss:- Identity struggles of a Caribbean person living abroad;- The most authentic way to build a vast network; and- Why "Caribbean Women's Power Lunch"?

Trena De Landro's mission in life is to live better through technology. She is a digital media strategist, innovator, and the founder of Lazy Mas.  Lazy Mas is a digital platform which brings Carnival service providers and masqueraders together making vacation bookings easier, by providing safe and secure transactions with vetted Carnival vendors. Lazy Mas is an IATA Accredited Travel Agency that helps customers create and customize the Carnival experience they desire. Trena is also the CEO of Nerdy Accent, a digital media firm that develops and executes effective and measureable, social/mobile/online marketing strategies. Her expertise is in driving profitable consumer engagement and behavior through integrated marketing campaigns.In this episode, We discuss:- Affiliate marketing;- How digital platforms can make Carnival tourism more efficient; and- Tips on targeting millennials.

Kheston Walkins is a Neuro-Innovator and co-founder of the company Allegori that teaches students how to focus and improve academic outcomes through its Focus Clinic.   Kheston has a background in neurophysiology, cancer informatics, and experimental neuroscience. He studied Medical Neuroscience out of the University of Sussex in Brighton England and is a Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Genetics at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago.   He also has over 7 years' experience in marketing and interactive advertising. He is passionate about Caribbean innovation in technology.   In this episode, we discuss:   - The Impetus for Neuro-Innovation in the Caribbean; - The Story Behind CommuniCare; helping stroke patients communicate with doctors and visitors; - How Allegori came about; and - Other Exciting Neuro-Innovative projects that Kheston and his team are working on.

Charles Bobb-Semple is the man behind FUSION ADVENTURE RACE. FUSION ADVENTURE RACE is an annual physical and intellectually challenging sporting event that demands courage, commitment, fortitude, stamina, and teamwork. The event, which recognizes three categories, namely Male, Female and Mixed, takes competitors through mountain trails and other terrains, offering the opportunity for persons to discover the veiled treasures of the island from a unique perspective. Fusion has earned its place as the premier adventure race in Trinidad & Tobago and takes competitors through mountain trails, offering the opportunity for athletes to discover the veiled treasures of the island from a unique perspective. Additionally, it offers intrigue as participants are only informed of what is required of them at each successive stage; emphasis is placed on teamwork, rather than individual achievement. In this episode, we discuss:   - The Genesis behind the creation of Fusion; - The Severe level of logistics and planning that goes into this event; and - Why crossing the finish line will help you learn more about yourself.    

Kaylan Bartholomew helps busy people make healthier choices for themselves and their families creating a balanced and joyful life.   She is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and a Hatha Yoga Instructor who uses a holistic approach, recognizing that real food and exercise are only a part of what brings us balance and helps her clients explore all areas of their lives – love, relationships, career, money, spirituality and the environment. She incorporates her training as a yoga instructor to bring mindfulness, breathing techniques, energy awareness, meditation and yoga postures to help relieve stress, a significant contributor to our health. Her clients have been able to boost their energy, lose weight, diminish cravings, improve chronic health conditions, reduce stress, get the kids to eat healthier and overall improve the family connection.   Kaylan graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the largest nutrition school in the world, where she learned practical lifestyle management techniques and over 100 dietary theories. Kaylan received her hatha yoga certification through Bliss Yoga Trinidad’s 200-hour Teacher Training Program.   Kaylan is also a licensed instructor for the Springboard Women’s Development Programme, a revolutionary personal development program for women.   In this episode, we discuss:   - 21-Day Detox: Revive, Renew, Restore; - Why True Health Involves the Body, Mind, and Soul; and - Being Clear on Your Health Goals.

The man behind TEDxPortOfSpain. Keita Demming helps companies identify and implement plausible innovation opportunities. In his line of work, he transforms companies into places and spaces that are idea-driven and people-centered. These companies foster cultures that embrace design, accountability, foresight, strategy, and innovation. High performing organizations have highly engaged and effective employees. They are wonderful places to work, play, and belong. Keita is also a Partner and Head of Innovation and Development at The Covenant Group (TCG); Keita also founded the Disruptive Conversations podcast, where he unpacks how people who are working to disrupt a sector or system think. In this episode, we discuss: - Challenging the Status Quo;- The Road-map to Identifying and Catalyzing Plausible Innovation Opportunities; and- 2 Things Fundamental to Success in Innovation.

Alian Ollivierre develops dynamic people, enterprises, and winning strategies through consulting, training, and coaching.  As the Director at Gateway International Inc., a training and consultancy agency for professionals and enterprises, Alian systematically develops curriculum and delivers training programmes for regional and international agencies that serve employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders.  In this episode, we discuss: - 5 Steps for Business Idea Generation - How Employees and Employers should think about Partnerships; and - Why Identity is Paramount

An engineering professional, award-winning author, globally certified coach, trainer and speaker, Gregory Skeete helps people and organizations of all types and stages achieve peak performance through his company Life Engineer Inc.   In this episode, we discuss:   - 5 P’s to turbocharge your professional performance, - 3 Lessons from Entrepreneurship that can boost job performance, - A different approach to Leadership, and - Living your life by design.   Be sure to share this episode with someone you think can find value in it.

A former state prosecutor, Shelly-Ann Gajadhar is a career and professional development coach who specializes in helping people discover their purpose in life, and walking boldly into that purpose through her company Alphastute.   In this episode, we discuss:- Shelly's key tips for finding purpose in our lives - Shelly's personal journey of finding her own purpose - Education vs. Academics   Be sure to share this episode with someone you think can find value in it.

Who is Toni Thorne? Entrepreneur who started her first business at age 7. Self-starter: “If I say I’m going to do something, I find a way I get it done.” “The hardest thing is to start.” Pursue what you are interested in and what will energize you: “You have to be very clear in what you want from life.” Motto: “Be true to yourself.” – you are your own biggest obstacle. Experience of Business Pursue Your Interests: Know Your Business Inside Out Believe in Yourself Align Your Interests Finding a Mentor Understand and Embrace Failure Favourite Failure Story. Black Entrepreneurship There is a mindset issue which is keeping Caribbean businesses, particularly Black businesses, from growing as they should: “People would rather own 0% of nothing than 5% of something.” – instead of collaborating and supporting one another, they would rather compete. The Black experience in Barbados, a predominantly Black country, is one in which Black people are treated as minorities and racism is an endemic issue Upper financial class does not reflect the racial composition of the country, which affects the level of entrepreneurship and business entry Experiences of being Black worldwide are unique experiences A study on the business loan process conducted by Harvard University revealed Black entrepreneurs in the USA have to deal with much more stringent policies and procedures than White entrepreneurs with similar or lesser qualifying requirements. This experience of different rules for Black business owners and Black entrepreneurs is also true in Barbados and serves as an obstacle which Black entrepreneurs have to determine how to overcome. Black parents have until recently tended to be more conservative, encouraging children to follow a more secure, traditional path and may not have supported entrepreneurship as it seemed too risky This stems partly from a historical experience of oppression and disadvantage which has caused them to be more risk-averse. That mindset is slowly changing, which is necessary to spur on generational wealth and generational business growth White peers may have a different upbringing and exposure to family businesses and business mindset earlier on Black entrepreneurs must recognize that although social structures may cause them to be at a disadvantage, they can and must then make their own paths to success, be creative in how they pursue structuring and financing their businesses and set their own goals for measuring success.

Lisa Wickham is an award-winning media producer, director, and television personality. She has an MBA with distinction and is the: Founder of Imagine Media International Limited – a multi-media production, event management and public relations (PR) enterprise based in Trinidad and Tobago. Founder and Publisher of E-Zone the Mag! magazine, which is based on a show she co-presented. Founder of the Caribbean Film and Media Academy. Co-founder of the health and fitness system "Sokafit". Author of the book "On A positive note: Words of inspiration". Lisa has mentored hundreds of young people in: life skills public speaking communication leadership film and television entrepreneurship marketing strategy innovation, and good citizenship.