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

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.

Strive, Be Visible, Protect Your Peace: Jackie Chambers de Freitas, Salesforce VP AI, Transformation

Caribbean women pursuing their professional goals on the global stage carry both the distinction and the burden of representation, coming from cultures where excellence is the standard.  While striving to be exceptional is vital, protecting your peace and mental health is paramount for sustainable success. Jackie Chambers de Freitas, a 20-year tech executive and current Salesforce VP of AI Delivery and Transformation, breaks down the cost and benefit of corporate leadership with Dianne Squires, founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), on this episode of the Island Woman podcast. --------------------- Jackie Chambers de Freitas is deliberate about using her voice and visibility as a tech leader to encourage other women to aspire to higher levels of achievement in the space. And she does so while acknowledging that the cost of leadership can be high and attention to mental health must be intentional. I soaked up her wisdom and straightforward approach in our conversation on this week’s episode. She was transparent about being mindful of her own mental health, having seen it affect members of her family. We also explored how she's applied her agile methodology philosophy to her personal life and how women over 45 can embrace inevitable shifts in their careers and the power of AI.  Timestamps 00:00 - Shaping corporate identity: Your internal Compass over External Expectations 00:08 - Introducing Jackie Chambers de Freitas  00:52 - Island Woman Podcast Intro  02:08 - 3 Survival Tips for Women Navigating the Global Corporate C-Suite  03:16 - Caribbean Heritage: Jackie’s Roots  04:54 - The Importance of Visibility as a “Unicorn” leader  07:59 - Prioritising Mental Health for Caribbean Women Striving for Excellence  08:49 - Setting Boundaries, Protecting Your Peace: Balancing the Importance and the Cost of Visibility  10:23 - Agile Philosophy and AI Transformation: Iterative Change at Speed  14:22 - Applying Agile Philosophy to Personal Life Goals  17:03 - Experiencing Joy as a Woman in STEM  (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)  20:08 - The “Boon and Burden” of being a Unicorn  22:19 - The Strength of a Caribbean Value System for Playing Big as a Unicorn 24:20 - Jackie rates herself on the Ambition/Wellbeing Scale  28:58 - Navigating Inevitable Career Shifts in the World of AI: Leaning into Personal Brand Development for Women Over 45  31:27 - Embracing AI Skills, Broadening Career Horizons for Women Over 45  Get In Touch Follow our curated 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 Jackie Chambers de Freitas LinkedIn: @Jackie Chambers de Freitas https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-defreitas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-defreitas/] ---------------------- 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.

3 Habits to Elevate Your Voice and Build Authority

You may be the “expert” in the room, but if you practice poor communication habits, you may never be listened to or taken seriously. Island Woman and Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting, Dianne Squires, shares 3 communication habits experts can practice daily to elevate their voice and build authority in this week’s episode of the Island Woman podcast. ------- After 16 years in marketing communications at every level, eight of those years running my own consulting practice, I know it’s the simple things done consistently that shape the voice of authority. In today’s episode, I break down three simple habits that experts can adopt to ensure their professional opinion is heard and taken seriously.  I talk about the unfortunate situation you create when you focus only on problems, and what you should do instead (hint: Do you have a pathway to a solution?). I share why it’s important to put every activity you do into the context of a broader organisational strategy. Finally, I reveal the simple “meeting math” to practice - have your 1 to 3 meeting objectives ready to go before any meeting to purposefully participate.  Timestamps 01:22 - Don’t Just Be a Problem Identifier, suggest solutions  03:25 - Couch Your Tactical Activities in the Context of the Wider Strategy  06:09 - “Meeting Math” The official website (diannesquires.com) is currently offline by intentional design as we undergo a structural brand rebuild. To bypass the public digital noise, 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 curated 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] --------- 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. Get in Touch  The official website (diannesquires.com) is currently offline by intentional design as we undergo a structural brand rebuild. To bypass the public digital noise, 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 curated 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] --------- 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.