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.

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Are You Ready for the Recession feat. Gerard Edwards and Maria Daniel - Become Investible RoundTable Series

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!

052: Don't Play Small feat. Dr. Terri-Karelle Reid

“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.

051: Until Everywhere is Free with Muhammad Muwakil

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.

Become Investible RoundTable Series - The Insider's Guide to Digital Business with Shelly-Ann Gajadhar and Keron Rose

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. 

050: Make History Everyday with Adrena Ifill

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.

049: Why Are You Here with Akosua Edwards

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!

048: My Money & Me with Melinda Belle

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.

047: Bet on FinTech with Aldwyn Wayne

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.

046: Digital Entrepreneurship 101 with Keron Rose

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.

045: Journey to Self with Angel Joseph

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!

Pay Future You with Charielle Plowden

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?  

044: Our St. Lucia with Jessica Alexander

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.

043: The Energy of Haiti with Christian Lecorps

"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".

042: Seeking Value with Gabriel Martino

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.

041: From Trinidad to Hollywood with Darrius Marcellin

Kevin Valley uncovers the stories of black entrepreneurs and business owners in the Caribbean and Diaspora.

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