BONÈ #45

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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Dear Readers, As we bring another remarkable year to a close, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all our readers, supporters, and advertising partners.

Your loyalty, engagement, and trust are what make our magazine thrive, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

This festive season offers a moment to reflect on the stories we've shared, the milestones we've celebrated, and the community we continue to build together.

It is also a time to look ahead with excitement at the opportunities and inspiring projects the New Year will bring.

On behalf of our entire team, I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and meaningful moments, and may 2026 be a year of prosperity and new possibilities for all.

With love & gratitude,

and a Wonderful New Year 2026!

As the year comes to a close, we’re grateful for the trust, teamwork, and opportunities we’ve shared.

May this season bring you joy, and may 2026 open new doors filled with growth, purpose, and success.

Warm wishes from our PCC Uitzendbureau Bonaire team!

How it all started

In 2017, when she was just 19 years old, Mientje took a leap of faith and took over Zens Restaurant & Bar, originally founded in 2015 by her cousin, Michi. In August 2025, Zens proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary, a milestone that reflects Mientje’s dedication and resilience.

“When the opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate. I believed in myself and knew I could do it. I learned everything from scratch, revamped the menu, and I optimized the service.

I was born into the world of hospitality. My family in China owned a restaurant, so I grew up surrounded by it. When my parents came to Bonaire, they also opened a Chinese restaurant.”

Through perseverance and innovation, Zens became one of Bonaire’s most loved dining spots, known for its tranquil atmosphere, high-quality dishes, and warm hospitality.

Zens Restaurant

Celebrates 10 Years of Flavor and Serenity

An inspiring journey with Jiamin Wu, owner of Zens Restaurant and Vice President of the Bonaire Chinese Association Born in China, Jiamin Wu known to many as Mientje, moved to Bonaire with her parents in 2010. Over the past 15 years, she has built deep roots in the Caribbean, blending her Chinese heritage with the warmth of island life.

Today, Mientje is much more than a restaurant owner, she’s an entrepreneur, community leader, and dedicated advocate for unity and progress within Bonaire’s multicultural landscape.

As the Vice President of the Bonaire Chinese Association and founder of Xinmei Tax Consultancy, her mission is clear: to create opportunities, support her community, and lead with courage and integrity.

Rooted in Bonaire - Serving the Chinese Community - Creating More Possibilities

Community Leadership and Recognition

In January 2024, Mientje was elected Vice President of the Bonaire Chinese Association by a wide margin, earning recognition from the Curaçao Consulate and Chinese communities across the six Dutch islands. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration, trust, and cultural exchange. She believes deeply in building bridges between communities and empowering others to succeed.

“We have a lot of trust among each other. We don’t let anyone fall behind. We also give back to the local community because we believe in contributing to Bonaire’s development.”

Expanding Horizons - Xinmei Tax Consultancy

In 2022, Mientje founded Xinmei Tax Consultancy (Xinmei BV) to serve the growing financial and administrative needs of the Chinese community on Bonaire. Drawing from her financial management education at Forma School and guidance from experienced professionals, she built a company that today supports over 500 Chinese residents and local businesses with reliable tax and corporate finance solutions on Bonaire.

“My goal has always been simple; to use my abilities to help others, regardless of nationality or culture.”

Mientje’s purpose

“Courage + Persistence = Infinite Possibilities.”

From restaurants to taxation, across various fields, Mientje’s purpose has remained the same: to create value through action and lead with integrity.

“Learn patiently, experiment bravely, and persevere… you will surely create your own story.”

DESIGN BY MARKETEERS

Inside Zens Restaurant A Conversation with Mientje

After 9 years, Zens moved to a new location.

How do you feel about this?

In 2024, we found a new location right in the center of town, Kaya Grandi #31. It was a big change and shift for us, moving into a new space. People now treat Zens more like a fine dining experience, they dress up, make reservations, and stay longer. We’ve created a more elegant, yet still relaxed, atmosphere.

How would you describe your customers?

About 90% of our customers are locals. I focus on what they want, good food, fair prices, and quality service. We also get tourists, especially from cruise ships, who stop by for small bites and drinks.

What makes Zens Restaurant unique?

The name Zens comes from Buddha. It symbolizes relaxation, tranquility, and peace of mind. That’s exactly what we want our guests to experience when they dine with us. We offer private bookings for events and parties too. Our restaurant is known as the celebrity hotspot on Bonaire.

What kind of food do you serve?

We serve Asian cuisine such as sushi, dumpling, soups, as well as international dishes like seafood, pasta and grill. Our cocktails are very popular and delicious.

You’re known for doing a lot beyond the restaurant. How do you balance it all?

It’s not easy, but I love what I do. Besides running Zens Restaurant and Xinmei, I also help manage community projects and at the local Chinese school.

I believe every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Do you plan to expand Zens?

For now, Zens will stay as it is, maybe with some small improvements. We’re waiting on some permits for new ideas, so we’ll see what the future brings.

What are your plans for the future?

We’re developing a fun indoor play space for children, which will include a game room, bubble pool, trampoline, and slides. The goal is to create a safe and joyful space for families.

What advice would you give to young people who want to start a business?

Never worry about your age or experience. I started at 19, I made mistakes, but that’s how I learned.

Be brave, stay patient, and believe in yourself. Every problem has a solution.

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Hey Bonaire,

is here!

Profound has landed on Bonaire

After years of working, planning, and building together, it finally happened: Profound opened it’s doors on Bonaire! Together with WeCoordinate we are setting the foundation for a full-service digital creative powerhouse on the island. Our goal? To be closer to the community, work with local organizations and help Bonaire’s brand navigate through a crowded digital world.

Who we are At Profound, ‘Making it Happen’ drives everything we do. Since our founding in 2016, we’ve helped organizations shape their identities, tell their stories and connect with audiences in meaningful ways from our headquarters in Curaçao. From strategy to execution, we combine creativity and smart technology to deliver work that inspires engagement and builds lasting brand value. WeCoordinate, as the name suggests, specializes in project coordination and marketing and communication. We value leading with integrity and focusing on the purpose behind every project rather than just the outcome.

What we do

Our 360° services span three core areas:

Technology & Digital Design:

We create visually stunning websites, intuitive apps and custom platforms with seamless UX/UI experiences tailored to our clients’ growth and business needs.

Branding & Communication:

Our creative team creates brand identities and campaigns that resonate across various channels. We build engagement and increase awareness while telling your brand’s unique story.

Online Marketing & Media Buy-in

We make your brand stand out with tailored strategies that boost visibility and conversion.

Our strategies drive organic growth and measurable ROI, and our campaigns are made to connect with audiences, making sure that we reach the right audience via the right channels.

“To truly understand the people, the culture, and how communication flows on the island, you need to be here,” - Mieneke van Rossem, Country Manager on Bonaire.

Profound in Bonaire

We may be officially arriving now, but we are not entirely new to Bonaire. Over the past years, we’ve proudly collaborated with several organizations on the island, including Bonaire Lottery, Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland and more.

Our collaborations have ranged from branding and communication strategies to website development and digital marketing across multiple channels. Our work on Bonaire has allowed us to engage directly with the community and tailor creative concepts to Bonaire’s identity and culture. Now, in collaboration with WeCoordinate and a stronger presence on the ground, we’re ready to create even more impactful work together.

Ready to create something powerful together?

With our new journey to Bonaire, we are excited to build brands and shape the island’s digital future together with local businesses. Want to know more? Get in touch!

Let’s make it happen - together.

www.profoundprojects.com E-mail: hello@profoundprojects.com Address: Kaya Nikita 1 Phone: +599 786 42 33

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“As a coach, you learn something new every time because every company is unique.”

Sherwin Pourier

Qredits Bonaire Coach

Qredits Bonaire Qredits Boneiru Qredits Microfinanciering Bonaire

Sherwin Pourier: A coach on a mission to guide growth For Sherwin becoming a coach was a natural extension of his passion for guiding others. With a background in banking and community development, he had long been helping people shape their ideas and navigate challenges. When Qredits established its presence on Bonaire, stepping into the role of coach allowed him to combine his financial expertise with his desire to empower entrepreneurs.

Coaching before financing

Sherwin believes coaching is not just a complement to financial support, it is the foundation of lasting success. “I always say, coaching comes before financing,” he emphasizes. “Once someone has an idea, that’s when they really need coaching. This is why I choose to be at the forefront (the idea), because if the start is solid, the rest will continue to flow.

Our coaching areas Human Resources Financial Management Marketing & Sales

As a coach, you also develop your own knowledge when coaching others

He has seen too many cases where entrepreneurs receive funding but struggle afterward. “Sometimes people get financing and then realize they don’t actually know what they’re doing, and that’s dangerous.

You can misuse the funds and end up in even bigger trouble.”

Before anything else, Sherwin helps entrepreneurs focus on building realistic operational plans. “We all dream big, and that’s good,” he says.

“But we also have to ask, is it feasible? Coaching helps people see that clearly. Together, we bring ideas down to earth and turn them into something practical.”

The value of coaching

Sherwin believes that every entrepreneur, regardless of the size of their business, can benefit from having a coach. In his experience,

small business owners often need guidance just as much as large companies do. A coach can serve as a mentor, a sounding board, and a trusted partner who helps entrepreneurs look at their challenges from new perspectives.

He explains that coaching and training complement each other.

Training provides theory and knowledge, while coaching brings that learning to life by helping entrepreneurs apply it to their specific situations. Together, they create a powerful combination of understanding and action that helps businesses move from ideas to results.

Among the many aspects Sherwin enjoys about coaching, the opportunity to learn from others stands out most. Guiding entrepreneurs not only helps them grow but also allows him to keep expanding his own knowledge and perspective. Every business is different, and each interaction offers something new to learn. That continuous exchange of insight, he says, is what makes coaching meaningful and keeps him inspired to continue helping others succeed.

Personal Effectiveness Business Plan Execution

qredits.com

MISS UNIVERSE BONAIR

NICOLE PEIL Through my daughter’s pageant director, I met Mr. Roderick Beaumont, the National Director for Miss Universe Bonaire. He encouraged me to consider entering the pageant, explaining that it was possible for me to participate.

At first, I hesitated and said that I was too old to be a Miss, and I’m also married. But eventually after informing my family about this idea, they told me to follow that old dream and do it. So I did.”

Participating in Miss Universe was a dream come true for you. How did it feel to represent Bonaire on that global stage?

Nicole Peiliker Visser is a 42-year-old mother of four who transformed a childhood dream into a historic reality by stepping onto the Miss Universe stage as the oldest contestant ever to participate in the pageant. Inspired by her daughter Aria’s success in modeling and driven by her own lifelong passion for beauty and fashion, Nicole embraced the opportunity to proudly represent her island Bonaire on a global platform. Her journey rooted in courage, discipline, and an unwavering belief in her dreams, carried her from her beloved Bonaire to the international spotlight. Today, she shares how following that dream became a defining moment for herself and for Bonaire.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to participate in the Miss Universe Bonaire pageant?

“My name is Nicole Peiliker Visser. I’m 42 years old, a mother of four, and proudly born in Bonaire. I studied in the United States before returning to my lovely island.

I’ve always had an interest in fashion and beauty. When I was younger, I wanted to pursue modeling, but I never followed that path. My daughter Aria awakened that drive inside of me when she decided to participate in modeling and beauty pageant. She eventually was crowned Mini Universe, which is an international beauty pageant held in Colombia. Seeing her live her dream made me realize that we shared the same dream.

“It required hard work and dedication, but it was worth it. It was a great experience knowing I was promoting my island on one of the biggest international stages. Sharing moments and socializing with 120 women from around the world, wearing the BONAIRE sash, and stepping into the spotlight with pride, was unforgettable.

I also discovered that many younger contestants felt intimidated by me, not just because of the attention I received from pageant analysts like Missiologist and the press, but also because I made history as the oldest contestant ever to compete in Miss Universe.”

How did you prepare for this big event, mentally and physically?

“After being crowned Miss Universe Bonaire on August 16th, 2025, I had several meetings with Mr. Roderick and the Miss Bonaire Organization. I signed the official documents and received guidance on the next steps. I was then flown to Barranquilla, Colombia, where I trained with a full team, including coaches, dentists, nutritionists, and beauty experts led by Mr. Jonathan to get mentally and physically ready for the pageant. The preparation included hair and makeup, catwalk, dance, public speaking, and overall presentation. I trained for 6 weeks, from Monday to Saturday, starting at 7 AM and ending at 6 PM. The biggest challenge was being away from my family. I always reminded myself why I was there; Bonaire was counting on me to represent them at Miss Universe.”

RE

IKER VISSER

meeting the other contestants, especially the popular frontrunners. Many of them had powerful and inspiring life stories.”

What challenges did you face during this journey, and what did you learn from them?

“One major challenge was dealing with schedule changes.

Miss Universe requires flexibility and readiness at all times.

At Miss Universe, “enough” is never enough, nor is “too much.” You need to be prepared for anything and have the right wardrobe for every moment.”

Bonaire is known for its rich culture and natural beauty. How did you promote and showcase Bonaire at the Miss Universe pageant?

“For my introduction, I spoke in our native language, Papiamento. I always highlighted the natural beauty of Bonaire and that we are a small multicultural island where most people speak four different languages and where freedom still exists.

My national costume represented the essence of what draws people to Bonaire. It was conceptualized by my National Director, Roderick, who described Bonaire to the designers so they could bring the vision to life.”

What advice would you give to young ladies who look up to you?

“If you can dream it, you can do it. Follow your dreams and don’t let anything hold you back. The road may be challenging, but you will grow, learn, and enjoy every moment.”

How would you like to be remembered as Miss Universe Bonaire?

What were the highlights of your journey during Miss “I want to be remembered as the woman who dared to take a chance in life, who followed a long-held dream and Universe?

“I travelled to Thailand with Mr. Jon Karel Sedney, the proudly put Bonaire on the map. The contestant who, even photo and videographer for the Miss Bonaire Foundation. at 42, was respected, admired, and feared by the younger We created content before the competition, which was contestants. I proved that anything is possible as long as you believe in it.” an amazing experience.

On the flight, I met Miss Aruba. We sat next to each other and immediately connected. I also filmed a full promo- Pictures by: Miss Universe Bonaire Organization tional video and photoshoot for Miss Universe merchandise at their headquarters in Thailand. And, of course,

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BONÈ ESSENTIALS

Holiday edition!

Mixing classic pieces with modern touches for the season.

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KAREDA DI SUÍT 2025

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