Nothing Working in Business? Stop, Recalibrate, Build a New Chapter (I Learned This!)

Take Your Caribbean Small Business Seriously | Shauna Marshall, Founder, SMB Consulting Services

MSME Development Specialist Shauna Marshall wants Caribbean small business owners to take their businesses seriously. She shared this on the Island Woman podcast with Dianne N Squires, noting the massive contribution these businesses make to Caribbean economies. Her “Business & Bites” event, initiated in Barbados four years ago to celebrate MSME Day, has now grown into a full-fledged MSME ecosystem, which she plans to take region-wide.  -------------------------- Shauna Marshall of SMB Consulting Services has become our first repeat guest on the podcast. Her no-nonsense business advice on a season 2 episode, “From Solopreneur to Enterprise [https://youtu.be/GZGz9GtmDFg?si=oiJjoFMuW0t99gqP]”, made it one of the most watched and listened to episodes of that season. This time around, we had the chance to talk about how an event she conceptualised four years ago to celebrate MSME Day has not only a major sponsored event for the community but has transformed into an ecosystem where MSME players can connect, learn and get support. It now has the backing of major financial services company Payce Digital, which will open credit opportunities and payment systems learning to MSMEs in the Business and Bites network. Shauna has huge ambitions for her business and the Business and Bites platform, and of course we talked about how that matches up to her state of wellbeing - she’s working on that last part.  Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Shauna Marshall 03:41 Ambition and Daily Rituals 06:39 The Importance of Visibility 09:40 Creating Change Through Voice 13:07 Structural Challenges for MSMEs 18:13 Building Business and Bytes Ecosystem 23:03 Ambition and Well-Being: A Balancing Act 25:52 The Importance of Systems for Growth 29:01 MSMEs: The Backbone of Economic Growth 32:11 Taking Yourself Seriously as a Business Owner 36:00 The Power of Voice and Visibility Connect with Island Woman  Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel. 📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L]  or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com --------------- Connect with Dianne N Squires LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires  linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132] Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com [diannensquires@diannensquires.com] ------------------- Connect with Shauna Marshall and SMB Consulting Services  Websites:  https://smbconsultingservices.com/ [https://smbconsultingservices.com/] https://businessandbites.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-marshall/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-marshall/] Instagram: @consultingsmb - https://www.instagram.com/consultingsmb/ Facebook.com [http://facebook.com]:  ---------------------- Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers. -------------------- The Island Woman podcast has been recognised by Feedspot as one of the Top 30 Island Podcasts on the web. Feedspot is an RSS Reader [https://www.feedspot.com/rss-reader] that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place. Check out the list here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/island_podcasts/?feed_id=8701532&_src=f2_featured_email#h8701532 #IslandWomanPodcast #Caribbeanpodcast #MSMEdevelopment #strategy #businessecosystem #Caribbeanwomanfounder #ambitionandwellbeing ‐------------

The Cost of Bad Caribbean Workplace Culture | Math, Strategy, Wellbeing | Dr. Shindale Seale

This week’s episode of the Island Woman Podcast with Dianne N Squires features Dr. Shindale Seale, Founder and CEO of SEADE Coaching and Consulting, as she unpacks her CEEDS™ framework (Cultural Equity and Economic Development Strategy).  There’s a real cost to the good, bad and in-between behaviours organisations accept, and Dr. Seale calculates that cost in dollars and cents. She breaks down how CEEDS™ helps organisations correct workplace culture in line with strategy.  But what about the cost and benefit of her big Island Woman ambition as a founder of Caribbean descent? Dr. Seale reveals the deep wellbeing work she still has to do.  --------------------- Organisations generally acknowledge that strong workplace culture lays the foundation for solid performance. But what impresses me about Dr. Shindale Seale’s work is that she actually helps organisations quantify in dollars and cents what misaligned culture costs them through her  CEEDS™ framework. She says it boils down to maths and some organisational psychology and behaviour principles but for businesses in the Caribbean, it could mean better  workplace culture and savings.  We discussed her drive, ambition and where she is on the ambition/wellbeing scale, a metric we like to use to track where guests are on the BIG and simple Life™ spectrum. After all, Caribbean women founders and leaders have to stay well to realise our big ambitions and help our communities and countries prosper.  Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Shindale Seale and Seeds Framework 06:47 Understanding Organizational Strategy and Cultural Engagement 09:59 Resistance to Change and Launching in Barbados 13:54 Overcoming Internal Resistance as a Leader 18:28 The Successful Launch of Seeds in Barbados 21:19 Quantifying Cultural Misalignment for Caribbean Businesses 22:04 Creating a 90-Day Roadmap for Business Success 23:37 Understanding the Productivity Tax in Caribbean Businesses 24:28 Tailoring Strategies for Solopreneurs and Small Businesses 26:29 The Importance of Reputation Capital 27:16 Assessing Ambition and Well-Being in Business 29:13 Balancing Ambition with Personal Well-Being 31:52 The Role of Women in Business and Community 33:47 Self-Care and Managing Anxiety in Entrepreneurship 36:34 Upcoming Events and Opportunities for Growth Connect with Island Woman  Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel. 📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L]  or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com --------------- Connect with Dianne N Squires LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires  linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132] Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com [diannensquires@diannensquires.com] ------------------- Connect with Dr. Shindale Seale and Seade Coaching and Consulting  Website: https://seadecc.com/ [https://seadecc.com/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drshindale [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshindale/] ---------------------- Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers. -------------------- The Island Woman podcast has been recognised by Feedspot as one of the Top 30 Island Podcasts on the web. Check out the list here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/island_podcasts/?feed_id=8701532&_src=f2_featured_email#h8701532

Caribbean Agency Owner Turned Business Coach | Christina Hunte, Dream Builders Institute

Twelve years running a successful marketing agency from Barbados taught Christina Hunte a lot not only about marketing but about the mindset, money moves and systems needed to stay successful. It’s no wonder other entrepreneurs kept asking her for tips. Today, she has turned that demand into a full-fledged business coaching business - Dream Builders Institute. It’s not the first pivot she’s made over the years, and even as someone with more introverted than extroverted tendencies, she’s stayed visible throughout. Why? She tells Island Woman podcast host Dianne N Squires it’s because her mission to help is greater than her fear of being seen.  ---------------------------- I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Christina Hunte, Founder of the Dream Builders Institute, on this week’s episode. She founded the boutique marketing agency Kreativ Edge and made it a success, being featured as one of Barbados’ top 30 entrepreneurs under 30 along the way. Throughout her 12 years running Kreativ Edge, her business savvy, genuine social media presence and obvious attention to clients’ success attracted other entrepreneurs to her, asking for guidance. Business coaching became a “side thing” until it didn’t.  We talk about:  * Her big ambition and simple grounding practices  * Being visible and transparent while navigating career evolution  * What prompted the transition from Kreativ Edge to Dream Builders Institute * How Dream Builders Institute Helps Entrepreneurs  * Where she sits now on the Island Woman Ambition/Wellbeing scale  Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Christina Hunte 03:18 Christina's Entrepreneurial Journey 05:57 Transitioning to Business Coaching 08:14 The Role of Psychology in Business 11:18 Navigating Visibility as an Introvert 15:01 Building Trust with an Evolving Audience 17:23 The Dream Builders Institute 20:03 Program Structure and Evolution 21:44 Embracing Change and New Identities 23:44 Ambition vs. Well-being 26:52 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 28:41 Who is a fit for Dream Builders Institute 31:43 Podcast outro  Get in Touch To get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite, follow our WhatsApp channel. 📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L --------------- Connect with Dianne LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires  linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132] Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com [diannensquires@diannensquires.com] ------------------- Connect with Christina Hunte  Instagram: @IamChristinaHunte - https://www.instagram.com/iamchristinahunte/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinahunte/ Website:https://christinahunte.com/ ---------------------- Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Through DNSC, her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers. ---------------------

Caribbean Skincare | Science, Art, Culture, Simplicity | Simply Ashyara, Founder House of Ash

The skin is a dynamic ecosystem and what we see as breakouts or other issues are signals from elsewhere in the body and mind, says Simply Ashyara, a skincare formulator and Founder of House of Ash. She discusses her formulation process, blending science, art and culture and examples of the multi-purpose, multi-sensory, pro-planet products created by House of Ash with Dianne N Squires on the Island Woman podcast this week. No ten-step routines needed, just skincare made simple.   ----------------- Simply Ashyara speaks my language when it comes to skincare - keep it simple, no ten-step routines necessary. At age eight, her great aunt gifted her the Elizabeth Arden Red Door fragrance. She was captivated by the scent, the colour and the packaging which revealed the product behind a “red door”. Later, at 14, she visited Lush, a cosmetics retailer in England. The total experience of scents, packaging, and products built on the Red Door experience and triggered her interest in formulation. That idea of total experience set the tone for her approach to formulation, blending science, art and culture to produce multi-sensory, multi-purpose, pro-planet products.  We talk about: * The role of cultural stories in skincare formulation * The importance of understanding skin as a dynamic ecosystem * Sustainable and eco-conscious product development * The impact of stress and mental health on skin * The significance of multi-sensory experiences in skincare Timestamps  00:00 Introduction to Simply Ashyara and House of Ash 05:03 The Role of a Skincare Formulator 09:32 The Story Behind House of Ash 14:36 Mind, Skin, and Gut Connection 17:15 The Philosophy of Less is More 21:02 Balancing Ambition and Wellbeing 25:17 Advice for Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs Get in Touch  Get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel. 📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L]  or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com --------------- Connect with Dianne N Squires LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires  linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132] Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com [diannensquires@diannensquires.com] ------------------- Connect with Simply Ashyara and House of Ash  Substack: As Analogs 2.0 IG: @ _HouseofAsh; https://www.instagram.com/_houseofash/ IG: @SimplyAshyara; https://www.instagram.com/simplyashyara/ ---------------------- Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

International Film & TV Production - Caribbean Style | Kerri Birch, Co-founder, 13 Degrees North

Not only are Caribbean islands picturesque locations for international films, they are ripe for development of a thriving International Film and TV industry based in the Caribbean. Kerri Birch, Co-founder of 13 Degrees North Productions, shares why she’s living her dream in an industry with yet few players in the Caribbean with Dianne N Squires on this episode of the Island Woman Podcast. She also shares why it’s important for young people to see Film and TV in the region as an industry for viable careers. ----------- I loved this conversation with Kerri Birch, who co-founded Film and TV Production Company 13 Degrees North Productions with her husband Kirk.  I knew when the business was a fledgling startup and today Kerri and Kirk can boast of the several international and local productions they’ve put their stamp on including, most recently, a Victoria’s Secret campaign.  We discuss her 20-year journey in the industry and why she is proof that careers in the industry, in the Caribbean are viable.  She also shares the tough realities of work in film and TV and underscores why gratitude is her important grounding practice.  How’s Kerri doing on the ambition/wellbeing Island Woman scale. It’s a bit top heavy but she’s working on it.  Timestamps: * 00:00 – Excerpts: Kerri Birch on viability of Caribbean Film Industry  * 00:43 -  Intro: Island Woman Podcast companion for Caribbean Founders & Kerri Birch Caribbean Film and TV Industry Powerhouse  * 01:22 – A Slate of Caribbean Productions & The Power of Gratitude * 04:13 – Navigating the Regional Film Industry * 05:17 – Quiet Leadership and Building Confidence on International Sets * 05:47 – Knowing Your Worth: Working with Vogue & Below Deck * 08:17 – Navigating Chaotic Production Logistics in Barbados * 08:57 – Shifting the Narrative: Film as a Viable Career for Caribbean Youth * 10:34 – Telling Our Collective History and Shared Caribbean Experiences * 12:43 – The Symbiotic Relationship with Foreign Film Crews * 14:37 – Using Inevitable Industry Downtime to Develop Original Content * 16:33 – Working with Your Spouse: Setting Healthy Boundaries at Home * 19:43 – Scoring Ambition vs. Well-Being on a Scale of 1 to 10 * 21:08 – Realising a Childhood Dream: Living Big Ambition * 23:12 – Facing Burnout: Choosing Future Well-Being Over "Hustle" * 25:32 – Teaching the Next Generation of Filmmakers at BCC * 26:56 – "Once Upon a Frame": Paying tribute to Tragically Killed 13-year-old Seanathan Chase, Youth Literacy, and Short Film Adaptation * 28:57 – Sponsoring or Donating to “Once Upon a Frame” and Local Tax Incentives * 30:35 - Outro  ------------------- Get in Touch The official website (diannesquires.com) is currently offline as we undergo a structural brand rebuild. Get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel. 📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L]  or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com --------------- Connect with Dianne N Squires LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires  linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132] Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com [diannensquires@diannensquires.com] ------------------- Connect with Kerri Birch IG: @thatbirchgirl Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerribirch/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerribirch/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.birch.5/ [https://www.facebook.com/kerri.birch.5/] 13 Degrees North:  Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.com  Website: www.13degreesnorthpro.com [http://www.13degreesnorthpro.com/] Facebook: www.facebook.com/13degreesnorthproductions [http://www.facebook.com/13degreesnorthproductions] Instagram: @13degreesnorth Donate to Once Upon a Frame Schools’ Project Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.com ---------------------- Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Through DNSC, her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.