BONÈ #44

ABOUT BONÈ BONÈ | noun A proud native or citizen of Bonaire.

Welcome to BONÈ Magazine — the #1 local magazine of Bonaire!

Inspired by the island’s slang for a Bonairean, BONÈ is more than just a magazine — it’s a celebration of Bonaire’s unique lifestyle, culture, and community.

BONÈ Magazine showcases Bonaire’s lifestyle through intervies with locals, cultural events, activities, tips, local businesses and much more.

Whether you’re a proud local or a visitor, BONÈ is made for YOU! We strive to deliver a magazine of high quality, with an eye for detail and best of all… It’s FREE! Grab your BONÈ magazine at over 50 locations across Bonaire or on board DIVI DIVI Air. For unique BONÈ Merchandise and cute gifts, visit our store at Kaya L.D. Gerharts 8 unit 2 in Kralendijk, right next to Subway!

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Qredits is social, personal, professional, and we connect.

Qredits Bonaire

Where entrepreneurship begins

Qredits Bonaire Qredits Boneiru Qredits Microfinanciering Bonaire

Thank You, Bonaire, from Qredits

From The Netherlands to Bonaire

Qredits was originally established in the Netherlands in 2009 as a social financial institution to provide funding to entrepreneurs who couldn’t access traditional bank loans. In addition to financing, Qredits offers coaching and a range of courses to help entrepreneurs develop the skills they need to succeed.

Small and medium-sized businesses are the engine of any economy, and supporting start-ups is

Our services

We commit to fostering the growth of your enterprise and securing its long-term success by offering a wide array of support services designed to meet your business needs:

Valeria Solano, Nicole Senchi, Milagros Blanken, Shaïna Coffie

essential for Bonaire’s continued growth. By providing access to financing and guidance, Qredits helps local entrepreneurs overcome barriers and develop sustainable businesses.

Over time, this support has extended to existing small and medium enterprises, contributing to a more diverse and resilient local economy.

Today, we can see the lasting impact of Qredits’ work on Bonaire. By 2024, the organization has helped create over 1,000 jobs—5.5% of the island’s workforce—through a combination of financing and support programs, including microloans, cultural and energy-focused loans, and agricultural financing. More than half of the businesses funded would not have been able to start without Qredits, and five years later, 79% of these companies are still thriving.

Growth and impact

Qredits’ approach goes beyond funding.

Entrepreneurs also benefit from coaching, training sessions, and workshops, helping them grow stronger, more resilient, and more successful. By introducing microfinance, developing tailored financial products, and providing education and coaching in collaboration with Qredits Coaches, Qredits Trainers, and partners on Bonaire and in The Netherlands, Qredits has become both a catalyst for employment and a pillar of Bonaire’s small business community.

On behalf of Qredits, and especially the Qredits Bonaire team, we want to extend our heartfelt thank you to the community, and more specifically our clients. Your trust, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit have made these achievements possible.

A special thank you to all our Qredits Coaches and Trainers for the impact made, and to all our partners for their trust and support throughout these last 10 year. We are proud to support local businesses and look forward to continuing this journey together, helping even more entrepreneurs thrive on the island. Cheers to many more years of impact on Bonaire!

Invest in your business or idea with our microloans Receive one-on-one support through coaching Broaden your knowledge through training

qredits.com

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Qredits Bonaire is celebrating 10 years of supporting local entrepreneurs! Since its establishment on the island in August 2015, we’ve granted more than 400 loans and hosted countless training and coaching sessions, helping dreams turn into reality. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of Bonaire’s community—your trust, collaboration, and enthusiasm have fueled every step of our journey.

Angel Sport: From print to progress turnaround and high-quality results. By investing in local talent and top equipment, Mauricio has built a business that delivers exceptional products and shows Bonaire can meet high standards without relying on overseas suppliers.

Mauricio Tobon Angel Sport B.V.

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Microcredit

When Angel Sport first opened its doors in 2017, it wasn’t in a storefront but in a bedroom, born from a father’s wish to support his son’s football team. Today, it’s a thriving printing business offering a full range of custom printing services—driven by founder Mauricio Tobon and supported by Qredits Bonaire.

How it all began

Buying a machine for team shirts started as a small favor. But that first step grew into what later became a business. “I didn’t know anything about printing,” he explains. “I wanted to give back to the team for letting my son be a part of it.” That small step led him to purchase his first machine and computer. Soon, parents from other teams began placing orders, and this side hustle quickly became a promising business.

After seeing the potential in his growing business, Mauricio approached Qredits Bonaire for financing to invest in a larger machine. Since then, Angel Sport has steadily expanded. Eight years later, the company now runs with nearly ten machines and offers a broad range of services, including digital printing, embroidery, full sublimation, and DTF (Direct to Film).

Growth through support

What sets the business apart is its passionate team, handling everything in-house—from design to production—to ensure fast

A key to Angel Sport’s success?

Quality and innovation. “One of the biggest challenges for me was quality,” he shares. “People would order things online, and the quality just wasn’t there.” After extensive research, Angel Sport introduced DTF printing—the only business on the island doing so at the time. “Now, our shirts can last over two years. We’re proud to offer that level of durability and quality locally.”

Throughout his journey, he emphasizes that Qredits has been more than a lender. “They don’t just give you money and walk away. They offer advice, help you plan, guide you financially, and provide training so you grow with your business.” He credits Qredits for helping turn his project into a real business.

His message to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Don’t let fear stop you. We all have talent, but sometimes we’re scared to take the first step. If you don’t chase your dream, someone else will do it for you. Fill yourself with courage, take the step—and believe in your own potential.”

With her holistic philosophy, business discipline, and the support of Qredits coaching, Samantha is well on her way to turning Omnia into a thriving center for wellness and transformation on Bonaire.

Samantha Jacobs

Omnia Holistic Wellness Center

What does it really mean to live a holistic life? For Samantha Jacobs, founder of Omnia, it means living with awareness of your whole self—mind, body, and soul. Not only spiritual, but expressed through daily choices.

You are the choices you make—your nutrition, emotions, thoughts, and lifestyle. Together, they shape not just how you look and feel, but how aligned you are in life.

Journey to wellness

Her passion for wellness began in her youth, with a curiosity about what she ate, the ingredients in her food, and how her body responded. Friends and family would turn to her for advice about skincare, nutrition, and life, and man behavior, resilience, and discipline—leading her to pursue

holistic therapies such as massage and holistic facials.

Samantha’s entrepreneurial path hasn’t been static. Starting small in her mother’s house, she envisioned Omnia as more than a service—it was a mission to guide clients toward balance, tension relief, and true transformation.

Recognizing the need to strengthen her business skills, Samantha turned to Qredits.

Through coaching in financing and marketing, she gained new perspectives. “The administrative finance coaching completely shifted my mindset about my business, my income, and my growth potential,” she says.

“Qredits made the process clear and practical—it’s not just about giving you money, it’s about making sure the business can truly grow and sustain itself.”

Guided growth

Today, Samantha’s biggest challenge is building a professional team that shares Omnia’s purpose and can help the business expand. She understands growth isn’t linear.

“It’s like a spiral—you don’t end up where you started, but every stage requires new input, new knowledge, and sometimes, new people. Even the most successful entrepreneurs have coaches.

Different levels of business require different types of guidance.”

She believes that learning from others is essential for growth.

“Don’t be afraid to seek wisdom.

You can grow on your own, but it will be slower and more frustrating. Always return to why you started and make sure it’s about transformation first, not just money.”

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Omnia: Building a holistic business through coaching

Coaching

Passion in action: The story behind Twinkel Facing Challenges

Sjaika González Twinkel NSO & HB

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Microcredit

Sjaika González’s journey from student to educator was just the beginning—her real adventure started when she found new ways to help children thrive beyond the classroom. After studying abroad, she returned to Bonaire, worked as a community center coordinator, earned her bachelor’s in education, and spent several years teaching before moving into after-school care.

Becoming an entrepreneur

Seeing an opportunity to make a difference in her community, Sjaika took the leap into entrepreneurship. “I believed in myself and decided to start my own after-school care,” she recalls. With a vision of creating a safe and supportive place for children, she turned her idea into action. In 2017, with financing from

Qredits, she officially opened Twinkel, a center with a special focus on homework assistance—something she had noticed was in short supply on the island.

Starting out as the only staff member, Sjaika worked closely with the children and their parents, building trust and offering a service that felt like a home after school. Eight years later, Twinkel has grown into a team of three, serving more families while keeping its warm, personal atmosphere.

The journey wasn’t without challenges. Without her own building, Sjaika had to relocate three times. Then came COVID-19, which brought uncertainty for many businesses. Qredits’ understanding and flexibility made a difference. “They didn’t push anyone into a corner. They gave us space and support, which meant a lot during that time,” she says.

In 2025, Sjaika proudly paid off her loan. But she’s not stopping here—her dream is to one day have her own building and expand Twinkel to include more groups, possibly even care for babies. Still, she’s careful about growth: “For me, quality is more important than size. I want every child to feel at home here.”

Looking back, Sjaika is grateful—for her parents, family, team, and Qredits, whose support helped turn her vision into reality. She believes starting small, setting clear goals, and nurturing others is what builds lasting success.

“No matter how big your idea is, once you have the knowledge and information you need, things become much easier. You have to fight for everything and start from the bottom, but if you dream it, you can do it.”

Darian Carvajal G.B. Studio Training

owner of G.B. Studio—Gorgeous Braids Studios—a beauty business offering services for both men and women. From braids and hairstyles to makeup, barbershop care, and natural hair products, G.B. Studio creates a one-stop experience where clients enjoy high-quality service in a welcoming space.

The inspiration

Her inspiration came from a simple observation: it was difficult for people—especially busy parents—to access multiple beauty services without running across the island. “I wanted to create one space where everything was available, with quality products at a reasonable price.”

Darian first connected with Qredits after seeing a social

media post for the Small Business Academy course. As an aspiring entrepreneur, she knew she needed more than just practical skills—she wanted solid business knowledge. “I didn’t want to just open my business based on experience; I wanted a stronger foundation. The value I gained from Qredits was much more knowledge than I expected.”

Through different Qredits trainings, she learned about financial planning, marketing, and the tools needed to structure her business ideas. “You get access to details you can’t just find online or by asking around. The trainers are experienced, and they give you practical tools not just for your business plan, but for running your business day-to-day.” With her skills sharpened and her vision clear, Darian took the next step—becoming a Qredits client and securing financing to open

her new location, an expansion that will make G.B. Studio even more complete and attractive for clients as a beauty destination where everything can be done under one roof.

Looking ahead, Darian sees G.B. Studio playing an important role in Bonaire’s community—not only serving clients but also creating jobs for locals. “In five years, I want my business to be much bigger and to be giving back to Bonaire by offering employment opportunities. I’m very grateful to Qredits because without them, I couldn’t have taken this next step.

No matter how big the project seems, take the risk and go for it.”

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Darian Carvajal is the proud

G.B. Studio expands with Qredits’ trainings

We help you develop yourself as an entrepreneur management, personal effectiveness, and more.

Entrepreneurship starts with Qredits

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Your social lender

Do you have a business idea you want to launch — or an existing company ready to grow? At Qredits Bonaire, we support you every step of the way with microfinancing, coaching, and training. Whether starting fresh or expanding further, we provide the tools and guidance to help your business succeed.

Microfinancing

Access to financing is one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs — whether you’re just starting out or ready to expand. At Qredits Bonaire, we make it possible. New entrepreneurs can apply for loans of up to $50,000, while existing businesses can access up to $100,000 to take their company to the next level.

of our community, including the BES Culture Loan, the Agriloan, and the Energy Loan. Each comes with conditions and attractive rates tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, making financing more accessible and sustainable.

Coaching

Starting or growing a business can be challenging, and having the right guidance makes all the difference. At Qredits Bonaire, our pool of experienced coaches is ready to share their expertise in areas such as financing, marketing, personnel

We work closely with entrepreneurs to provide personalized support, advice, and feedback every step of the way.

From refining your business plan to solving day-to-day challenges, our coaching helps you make informed decisions, build confidence, and grow your business sustainably. With Qredits, you’re never alone on your entrepreneurial journey — we’re here to guide you toward success.

Training

At Qredits Bonaire, we offer practical workshops and training sessions covering a variety of entrepreneurial topics. These sessions are designed to provide hands-on guidance, helping you develop the skills and confidence needed to run and grow your business. By participating in our training programs, you gain valuable insights, learn best practices, and connect with other entrepreneurs to support your long-term success.

How you can reach us?

Kaya Industria 15G +599 717-1412 bonaire@qredits.nl

We also offer specialized microloans tailored to the needs

qredits.com

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