facebook.com/dazzlebarbados
Issue 6
Corey Lane
Mr Social Entrepreneur
Engineer Your Enterprise A Healthy Smile is a Healthy You!!!
Shareka Bentham
Making Communication Easy
Tools for the Times: Scotiabank Small Business Seminar Empowers Entrepreneurs
Lana Sealy
Flexibility, the key to adapt
Try me!
Do You Note? Introducing the Galaxy Note 4
dazzlebarbados.com
//Feature
Shareka
BENTHAM Making Communication Easy pg. 26
lim i t ed
We Create and Build Amazing Websites E: info@123digitallimited.com T: 758-452-0123 Int’l: 888-228-3312 W: www.123digitallimited.com Caribbean . UK . Canada . USA
terms and conditions apply
from the publisher
K
nowledge is power and you cannot underestimate how important learning is to one’s personal development. Today many look at our education system as outdated, but can we only get knowledge from this environment? As an entrepreneur we gain our experiences from “walking the walk� and not only talking it. Education is indeed important but having real world experience prepares us for the long journey ahead. In this issue we look at those entrepreneurs who are doing both. They are part of our focus on educational and social entrepreneurs who are assisting persons with learning opportunities. On the cover, the lovely Shareka Bentham of EasySpeak Enterprises is helping both kids and adults with communication, feeding and swallowing disorders. Mr. Corey Lane of Nature Fun Ranch is teaching young disadvantaged children the power of unity and caring. Last but not least, Lana Sealy of Body Mekanix is healing people through the art of movement. In addition we rewind to the Crop Over season and highlight two major events; Bliss and the 1Love Concert. Mark your calendars for Global Entrepreneurship Week which is November 16 to 22. It will be a fun and informative week of activities and I hope to see you there. Happy reading.
Ryan Wills Managing Editor
Dazzle Magazine Barbados is a new fresh Barbadian bi-monthly publication that provides much needed exposure to young professionals, entrepreneurs, and established businesses. It covers an array of topics and categories key to starting and running a business. It also offers practical advice on everyday living, tips for a healthy lifestyle and interviews with popular and up-and-coming personalities. Dazzle Magazine Barbados is designed to appeal to a diverse range of readers but is especially targeted at working professionals and business owners between the ages of 21-50 years. We provide our advertising clients with value for money by offering them a powerful medium to market their products, offer deals and build their brand. Best of all, we give them the opportunity to be a part of a nationwide and online marketplace of actively engaged consumers who are ready to buy, all at an affordable price. To advertise in The Dazzle Barbados Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone 1(246) 234 8140 or email info@dazzlebarbados.com for more information and terms and conditions.
table of
contents Features
12. Corey Lane - Mr Social Entrepreneur 18. Lana Sealy - Flexibility, the key to adapt 26. Shareka Bentham - Making Communication Easy
The 411
25. Cheers to Bliss 22. 1Love the Concert
Professional Progress
10. Starting A Business with Limited Funding 20. Engineer Your Enterprise 16. Tools for the Times: Scotiabank Small Business Seminar Empowers Entrepreneurs
Health & Fitness
08. A Healthy Smile is a Healthy You!!!
Publisher 123 Digital Limited
2
Managing Editor Ryan Wills Sales & Marketing Orinje Nation Art Director Aldrin Henry Contributors Melinda Belle Celia Collymore Kristel Kouly Alana Morgan Rankin Morgan DJ Simmons Gregory Skeete Scotiabank Ryan Wills Photography Neil Springer Ryan Wills
Eating In
20. Cauliflower Pizza
facebook.com/dazzlebarbados
Issue 6
Gadgets & Gizmos
28. Do You Note? Introducing the Galaxy Note 4
Out and About
32. Out and About
Corey Lane
Mr Social Entrepreneur
Engineer Your Enterprise A Healthy Smile is a Healthy You!!!
Shareka Bentham
Making Communication Easy
34. Team Up
Tools for the Times: Scotiabank Small Business Seminar Empowers Entrepreneurs
Lana Sealy
Flexibility, the key to adapt
Try me!
Do You Note? Introducing the Galaxy Note 4
dazzlebarbados.com
On the Cover: Shareka Bentham Photo by: Neil Springer Makeup: Beauty by Dee Blackett
contact us
26 18
For more information visit us at www.dazzlebarbados.com or call us at 1(246) 234 8140
12
14
A Healthy Smile is a Healthy You!!!
T
he benefits of good oral health extend beyond a brilliant smile. Maintaining healthy oral hygiene is an important part of living an overall healthy lifestyle. Research shows that the oral cavity can be a gateway to several diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and low birth weight. Frequently, these diseases will manifest orally, prior to systemic detection. This occurs because bacterial infections within the oral cavity can spread through the bloodstream and colonise remote organ walls. Additionally, toxins from this bacteremia (the presence of bacteria in the blood, which is always abnormal) can cause severe infections in people with immunological and nutritional deficiencies. Regular dental visits are therefore critical in maintaining the wellbeing of your entire oral cavity (made up of the teeth, gums and tongue) and to prevent potentially life-threatening diseases. Lack of proper oral hygiene can lead to a number of problems such as: • Oral and facial pain – cavities (tooth decay), periodontal (gum) disease and oral cancer • Digestive problems • Problems involving the heart and other major organs
8 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
Don’t wait until you are experiencing pain to visit the dentist; instead, have regular dental checkups. This will lead to a lifetime of great oral health. Good oral hygiene, however, starts at home. You can achieve this by taking a few simple steps: • Brush your teeth twice a day, for two to three minutes, with a fluoride toothpaste. • Clean between your teeth daily with floss or other inter-dental cleaners. • Change your toothbrush every three to four months. • Eat well-balanced meals as part of your diet. • Limit the between-meal and sugary snacks. • Avoid cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. • Schedule regular check-ups with your dentist. Remember, maintaining good oral hygiene habits ensure a beautiful smile and a healthy you!
//Feature
Flexibility, the key to adapt pg. 18
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 9
Starting a Business with Limited Funding by Melinda Belle
I
s it possible to start a business with limited sources of funding? Yes it is.
I started my company with $0. Now that I think of it I paid one hundred and four dollars to register my company, but I didn’t have investors knocking at my door. How did I manage building a company with no resources? I will tell you.
Business Plan The transition from employee to business owner was quite a stretching experience. The weight of the 10 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
responsibility was now on my shoulders to steer the company in a particular direction. I needed to have a plan. I sat down, developed one and that way I was able to determine what I would do with the money when I received it. Please note you do not need money in order to have a business plan.
Revenue Earned Through the revenue earned. I developed three different types of services, which generated multiple streams of income for the company. You see, one of my services is seasonal, therefore I am able to continue to function when this service is out of season.
networking events. You never know what connections you will make.
Outsourcing
Virtual Office I have a secret to tell you. My office is located in the second bedroom. Surprised? The revenue started trickling in, but I thought it best not to take on additional overheads. I hold my meetings online, at my home (very occasionally) and clients’ offices. I meet anywhere at my choosing.
Marketing Marketing is one of the best ways to reinvest money into your business. I have used cost effective ways to promote, such as email blasts and social media platforms. If you aren’t a member of business association, join one. Being part of an entrepreneurial association has been tremendously beneficial to me. It helps to have business cards when you attend
For those of you feeling pressured to hire full time staff, you don’t have to. Surprised? I outsource what I know I am not good at. That way the business runs better. Marketing is not my strong point so I work with a consultant who advises on how the company should be promoted. I certainly can’t draw up fliers or promotional materials, that’s why I work with a graphic artist and when it comes to planning my webinars, a project manager takes care of the details. What is the moral of the story? It is possible to stay within your means and build a company. You may not have a glorious beginning with an upscale office. You may experience setbacks. You may not have a growing clientele, but with time and strategic execution of your business plan, your company will grow. Melinda Belle is the Founder and Managing Director of Astrape Finance, the caring, knowledgeable, trustworthy, financial company guiding you to financial stability and prosperity through education, sound planning and advice. melinda@astrapefinance. com
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 11
Mr Social Entrepreneur By DJ Simmons
W
hen one thinks about a farm, usually just agriculture and livestock come to mind. Well today we have a special invitation for you. Welcome to Nature Fun Ranch, not only known for its beautiful horses and fresh vegetables, but this farm grows spirit and a community vibe positively influencing many youth. And who would know how to inspire youngsters better than another young gentleman. Allow Dazzle to introduce you to Mr. Corey Lane, founder and one of the principal facilitators behind the Nature Fun Ranch.
12 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
Now located over many acres of lush land in St. Andrew, Nature Fun Ranch has called this space home since 2012. However it took a while for Corey’s seed to sprout this stability. The farm first sprung its roots seventeen years ago in his grandmother’s back yard in Free Hill St. Michael. Instead of spending a few hundred dollars on a pair of Timberland shoes (which were very popular at this time), Corey decided to invest in his first horse, “Move Out”. Along with lettuce farming, a collection of rabbits and five young friends to maintain it all, this got the ball rolling. These five friends quickly grew into seventy five members in the community so the farm relocated to a larger area. As the community grew so did the horses multiply from one to sixteen. Over the years as Nature Fun Ranch expanded, relationships were forged, including one with the late Prime Minister David Thompson who fell in love with the project. Another network forged which had a positive impact on both Corey and the development of the farm was his link with the HIV / AIDS commission and now his involvement with the LIVE UP campaign. Through this he developed influential personality traits and gained finances which he could inject directly into his vision. Eventually
these various journeys in life led Lane to Bruce Vale in St Andrew, the base of the Nature Fun Ranch. Corey first had the urge to organize fun activities from the young age of seven. Although he loved the regiment of the Boys Scouts, not all of the promised activities were actually executed. This prompted the young enterpriser to organize friendly sporting tournaments. This coordinating skill evolved and assisted in showcasing the fun aspect of Nature Fun Ranch. Corey received aid from the private sector, receiving materials like life jackets and kayaks which helped to facilitate excursions that would be impossible without the help. However whenever approaching the public sector, even though he would always be met with encouraging words, financial aid
was never granted. Obviously Corey would love the ranch to be self sufficient However, depending on tardy payment through the distribution of the fruit can be futile, so the farm is sustained mainly from the pocket of facilitators and generous donations which help to cover costs of resources and equipment. While others may think of it as a challenge, Mr. Lane loves to offer guidance to the youth, especially boys, providing a myriad of opportunities to stimulate them. Corey highlighted the difference between how boys and girls are usually raised, with the females usually participating in structured indoor activities
fun facts
Corey is one of the hosts on the popular radio program Brass Tacks. However he disliked listening to it as a youngster. One of his favourite activities on the Nature Fun Ranch is the obstacle course known as COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience).
while the males tend to be more active in their hobbies. Hence adjusting to the rigid format of a classroom can be challenging to the boys and this is why he offers alternate ways in which they can express themselves. The boys are encouraged to leave their negative trends behind so they can continue to be the productive at the ranch. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. Through the Nature Fun Ranch they learn essential leadership skills and responsibilities all the while discovering their passions. In the Mounted Troop not only do the young men experience riding and maintenance of the horses, they are also educated in health care and how to treat illnesses. This can generate interest in future career paths. Although the horses are the flagship of the ranch, the (RANCH) also provides physical activities like obstacle courses, and also focuses on developing fitness, health and spirituality. In addition Nature Fun Ranch also produces watermelons, squash and peppers, which are distributed through the Ministry Of Health to local district hospitals. This income provides ranchers, as the members are affectionately called, with a stipend and some crops to carry home. Other Organic farming is very important to Corey so along with the commercial farming, this also plays a role. Corey and his partners have managed to build a sanctuary for both rancher and animal. Growing up he disliked seeing those around him dropping out of school and liming on the block and now he has dedicated seventeen years to developing those idle hands into constructive contributors to the community. Although monetary aid hasn’t come their way yet, Corey and his team are still coming up with innovative ways to raise funds. In more trying times the format of the (RANCH) was altered with more focus on the fun aspect of the ranch making way for more physical activities when farming was not a viable option. This is one in many ways how this creative entrepreneur was able to keep running. Through frustrating moments and economic and social pressures, this community headquarters has influenced yesterday’s problem children to walk with pride and speak in confidence about a field they are passionate in. With his daughter only a few months old, this new father has a refreshing impression of family and bonds. This extends to the family of ranchers that work to grow fun, fruit and a positive future.
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 13
//Feature
Shareka
BENTHAM Making Communication Easy pg. 26
WE MAKE EVERY PARTY
UNFORGETTABLE.
E events@renaissancedesignsinc.com T +1 246 418 8326
L rdieventdecor I eventdecorators W renaissancedesignsinc.om 14 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
RDI_Dazzle 5.5x4.24in Mag Ad_R12Jun15.indd 1
6/15/15 3:52 PM
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 15
Tools for the Times:
Small Business Seminar Empowers Entrepreneurs
B
arbados, August 28, 2015–“This is no time to be winging it. Running a business without having a handle on the fundamental financial elements of your business is like a pilot flying a plane without a flight plan.”
know that empowering our small businesses involves educating our small business owners starts by educating them. And this is a philosophy we stick to both in our customer outreach and our sponsorships and philanthropy,” said Edwards.
This was the forthright message from accountant Oral Dowell, CEO of Dowell’s Advisory Services during Scotiabank’s recent Small Business Seminar and Expo, when the focus was put on what small businesses in Barbados truly need.
She pointed to Bank On Me, the reality television contest for entrepreneurs, the UpStart Caribbean series of workshops for start-up businesses and the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation Columbus $20 Challenge for school-aged entrepreneurs.
Scotiabank Small Business Development Manager Maureen Edwards elaborated on this point, saying the bank had put additional resources into helping to develop the skills of their small business customers.
“These are all small-business focused initiatives which we have sponsored over the past few years. They are aimed at entrepreneurs at different levels – from secondary school students in the $20 Challenge to the start-up businesses which benefit from the UpStart workshops to the more established businesses that tend to enter Bank On Me,” said Edwards, adding: “At Scotiabank, we want to do our part to build a cadre of strong, empowered and capable small business owners in Barbados as their companies can drive economic growth in our country.”
“This is why we host seminars like this throughout the year - we want to give small business owners the tools they need for success,” she stated. She noted they have held similar workshops on key areas such as branding, financial record-keeping, business law and networking skills. “We see it as the difference between giving a man a fish and teaching him how to fish, because we 16 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
During the seminar, featured speaker Dowell emphasised how important it was for small business owners to understand their business’ financials “inside
and out”. He noted that small businesses should have solid financial structures, established key financial metrics and updated forecasts and budgets that could provide the critical information needed to manage their operations. He also cautioned that too many Barbadian small businesses didn’t know their costs per unit, break-even points or even how to accurately calculate mark-ups. He said this is sending many small businesses down a road which could easily lead to business failure.
Edwards agreed that in order for business owners to be successful, they need to have a firm understanding of their operations and their financials. She urged small business owners to be proactive in getting the advice and help they need. “Instead of being intimidated by the challenging business environment, small businesses should build strong relationships with their financial institutions and with their financial advisors such as Scotiabank’s team of small business managers.”
Zeroing in on the importance of cash flow management for small businesses, Dowell observed that in his experience, many Barbadian businesses don’t truly have a handle on their cash flow and warned of the dangers of this.
ADV E RT I S E WI TH US To advertise in The Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone 246.234.8140 or email info@dazzlebarbados.com for more information.
www.dazzlebarbados.com www.dazzlebarbados.com DAZZLE 17
Flexibility, the key to adapt By Ryan Wills
T
he body is any amazing tool and it is susceptible to both physical and mental discomforts. Healing via movement as a natural remedy is something that many overlook. Lana Sealy, owner of Body Mekanix knows this all too well. Her practice of moving mindfully is a fusion of her knowledge of movement: A combination of Dance, Pilates, Yoga, Thai yoga bodywork and meditation backed by her understanding of anatomy and kinesiology. At 17 she left Barbados to go to Miami to attend the New World School of the Arts and received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance. There, she was introduced to Pilates and physio therapy as part of the programme which helped her better understand the correlation between body and movement.
18 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
She later danced professionally with the Merce Cunningham Reparatory Understudy Group in New York for 3 years. She did her full Pilates certification with the Kane School, prior to moving home. Since then she has also been certified as a Pilates for Buff Bones Instructors qualified to work specifically with Osteoporosis.
I had the chance to sit down with Lana and hear her story.
Tell us about some of the differences between the dance programmes in Barbados and overseas. It is difficult to compare as my dance training in Miami was at university level but in the Caribbean we focus heavily on academics. From my experience in Miami, if you had an interest in the arts in middle school (primary school) you had the option of going to a conservatory or Performing Arts School to develop your craft from High School (Secondary School). So by University level, you were ahead of the game.
fun facts
what I love to do, just in a very different way. It was more than just dance, pilates or yoga, it started to go way beyond that. I was no longer just moving, I was using movement to help others. I had no interest in competing with other classes, studios or instructors by having the same or similar brand. So with some great advice, I made my own brand. Everyday will always be different because the ‘brand’ and the idea of healthy movement is all about evolving. A better you, a better mind, a better body.
She’s a health junkie but loves cotton candy. Everyday starts with a meditation, even Kadooment day She dislikes cliques.
How was it coming back home to Barbados? It was really nice to be able to come home and find ways of supporting myself doing the things that I love to do. It was at a time where the America and Europe were being affected by the recession, Pilates was becoming more popular and The Errol Barrow Center for Creative Imagination was just putting together a Fine Arts program where they needed instructors to teach dance. I had been traveling for a while, so it was nice to be able to come home and start a journey of re building in a place that was already familiar. It was most definitely an adjustment having spent my adult life in the States but as frustrating as some daily tasks were, there was also a feeling of comfort and re grounding that can only happen at home. It took a while to understand that, but once I did, things started to fall into place.
Did this lead into the forming of Body Mekanix? It did. There was part of me refusing to settle here or start a business as I, in some way felt like I was giving up the arts and traveling, but I was still doing
What are some of the main problems your clients have? I try not to see it as problems as I don’t want them to live with it as a problem. Clients come to Body Mekanix for many different reasons. Some are interested in just class, others are referred because of recurring injuries that they are currently working on. The whole idea is to maintain a healthy way of moving. It’s a full process or journey of re wiring how the body works so it is in alignment to execute and strengthen through functional movement. This is not to take the place of exercise but rather to assist you with how you move on a daily basis and in in turn assist you with how you exercise. Many people think that their way of moving is the best way. There is no space for ego here. Once you are moving in alignment and you have awareness of your body, then do whatever technique and form of movement works for you.
What direction do you see the business going in the next 3-5 years? Up :) My goal is to continue to build a brand and continue to do what I love wherever I go; locally, regionally and internationally.
We wish Lana all the best in her journey. www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 19
Engineer Your Enterprise: Business by Design By Gregory Skeete
I
n my experience, I have found that ‘process’ is the common thread which connects life and enterprise. Life is a continuous process of growth and enterprises which are also built of related processes that combine to create and deliver value to the marketplace. Processes can be engineered.
construction. They then build, test, refine and improve a design over time according to everchanging needs.
Design is one of the cornerstones of engineering, and implementing this fundamental concept can add tremendous value to your enterprise.
Is it built for ‘heavy lifting’ like a truck or is it fast and flexible like a motorcycle?
When you think of your business, what are you building? Imagine how it looks and performs.
How fast does it produce cash and how often?
What is design? Design draws upon the creative talents of the individual or an organization to identify a need, brainstorm a solution, create and plan its 20 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
How safe is it for the owner to operate?
Is it strong enough to take some damage, like 3 months of low revenue? Asking and answering the right questions can help you to create a strong design.
Why is design important? A design enhances your vision. Like a house plan or car design, it provides a picture and projection of the future. It is a reference for planning and goal-setting. It’s common to hear the word business model tossed around loosely, but that is where it all starts. If you’ve already started building your business, it’s important to reflect and decide whether you need to re-design or just upgrade what you have. Many of us started building our businesses based on a design in the mind, but having it on paper always adds value. This gives the mind a chance to objectively analyze the integrity of your creation. I am highly in favour of action, but I also strongly support thought before word and deed. Would you trust a contractor to build your house with only a plan in their head? A design minimizes the risk of errors and waste. Remember, your written design or business blueprint should be able to easily communicate how and why your business works to an employee, a customer, a vendor or an investor.
that the best designs have the fewest moving parts. Each moving part is a chance of failure, increased maintenance and cost to manage. This applies to your business as well. Secondly, a good design must be able to meet the need. Being simple is important, but if it stops you from achieving the objective in your business, then the design is failing. What if you made a car that was cheap, simple and affordable but would only last one month and could not go faster than 10 km/h? This would frustrate the average car owner. Is your business designed to deliver the results that you want? Lastly, it’s great to have a business design that is flexible and scalable, like the Hasbro Transformers, that can be improved and upgraded over time. Be agile and alert to the ever-changing environment surrounding your life and business, and make changes based on information from the world around you. Having a strong design for the problems your enterprise is solving is a critical step that can lead to huge rewards in the future. Now, it’s time to take that model on paper, build it, test it and get your hands dirty.
Engineer your success! What makes for a good design? Without a doubt, simplicity is one of most important traits of a good design. In mechanical engineering, we have a rule of thumb which says
Gregory Skeete is a consultant, published author, internationally certified Coach, Speaker and founder of Pilly Pelican and Life Engineer. He specializes in operations and business process engineering, personal development and executive coaching. GregorySkeete@JohnMaxwellGroup.com
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 21
1Love the Concert
E
PIC is the word, Volume Entertainment, organizers of the highly anticipated 1Love Show, use to describe the event.
Held on August 2nd at Kensington Oval, the event is being hailed as one of the best produced stage shows in Barbados. Volume Entertainment has certainly set the bar high for its show next year. With a surprise performance by Barbadian international megastar, Rihanna, belting her hit BBHMM, 1Love is certainly one event that many will remember as the premier event of Crop Over 2015. The show’s headliner, The Monk himself, international soca king Machel Montano, his full Band of Monk and the Monk dancers gave a high energy performance that many say was one of his best in Barbados. The all star cast also included Grammy award winning songwriter Angela Hunte, international Nigerian recording artist, Timaya, Barbados’ Party Monarch and Road March King, Peter Ram, the island’s Sweet Soca Monarch Edwin Yearwood and many more
22 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
Barbadian and regional soca artists who gave stellar performances. Volume Entertainment is pleased with the inaugural 1Love Show and is excited to bring you another world class event next year.
//Feature
Shareka
BENTHAM Making Communication Easy pg. 26
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 23
ADV E RT I S E WI TH US To advertise in The Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone 246.234.8140 or email info@dazzlebarbados.com for more information.
www.dazzlebarbados.com 24 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
Cheers to Bliss By Ryan Wills
W
e have this saying at Dazzle that “thou shall not be basic”. The gentlemen of Esquire Entertainment surely incorporated this mantra, as they produced another successful Bliss that literally left your mouth dripping. Let’s talk about the food first, a favourite of mine. Strewn across the well-spaced grounds was a potpourri of pop-up fine cuisine booths each representing a region; from the gnocchi station (Italian) to the sushi booth (Asian). You just felt like you were being treated to something special.
The surprise of the night came when Peter Ram, the “All Ah We” king brought the crowd together under a shower of fireworks that took the party to another level. One of things we commend the team on is that they listen, analyse and fix what they can so as to try and improve the brand. Something we as entrepreneurs need to remember. This year’s summer edition marked the ninth staging of the summer event, and if things go according
The experience started for most with the ticket collection at the Wine World locations. It was well organised and persons sampled some of the wine brands while mingling with other patrons. The event itself was well attended with more than 2,000 people who were shuttled onto the Royal Gardens grounds in St.George. Ladies came out in their floral outfits, while the guys were dapper in their loafers and bright coloured summer pieces. The atmosphere felt very charged and the DJs both local and regional made sure the crowd kept their waists moving. 25 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
to plan, next year marks the staging of their tenth summer edition, which the gentlemen promise to be even bigger and better.
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 25
By Celia Collymore Client Meetings…Check Assessments…Check Observations…Check Diagnostics…Check Recommendations…Check Designing Therapy sessions…Check
S
hareka Bentham, A Speech & Language Therapist aka “The Toy Lady”, is passionate about the progress and productivity of her clients. EasySpeak Enterprises is the brainchild of Shareka. The practice started out of her renovated bedroom in West Terrace St. James and has become a home based clinic which provides assessment and therapy services to adult and pediatric populations with a range of communication and feeding/swallowing disorders. Shareka puts it best, “EasySpeak is not a business, it’s a Family. Once you come in you are in.” EasySpeak takes a proactive and holistic approach to treating the needs of their clients, while educating, empowering and inspiring them to get involved in their own lives. Their focus is on making the experience as fun and functional as possible. The pediatric area of the practice is based on Play. “Children like playing with toys. I teach parents how to use play to interact with their children. I have more toys than most people and a giant outdoor play area. Even the parents get excited about all the toys I have, and that’s a plus, because it gets them interested in playing with their children”, Shareka explains.
What made you decide to create EasySpeak Enterprises and how did you do it? 26 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
When I moved back from New Zealand in 2010, with
a Masters Degree in Speech & Language Therapy from the University of Auckland, I realized that there were no jobs available for Speech Therapists. I went into private practice working for other speech therapists for a year. I knew I wanted to create a brand for myself; however with absolutely no business background, I needed to know how to run a practice and what that entailed. After a year, it was time. I didn’t know what it was going to be, I just knew I needed it to fit into my professional dream.
Why Easy Speak Enterprises? My main focus and goal for most of my clients is communication I was trying to find a name that said I help with communication, I help make communication easy.
What has challenge?
been
your
biggest
One of the main difficulties has been, not having a big support network here because there are only four (4) Speech Therapists in Barbados and we tend to get quite busy so there isn’t that coming together to talk about your job and say this is what you are doing. I have been able to get a mentor in Maryland and she helps quite a bit. I can bring any tough case to her and we can sit and discuss it via Skype or Face-time.
What has been your biggest success? It comes through the progress of my clients and their accomplishments. When I am able to get a child communicating or an adult communicating or back to eating food after a stroke or back to stroke that has been my biggest success. I like to see the smiles on parent’s faces. It gives them more hope and plans for the future.
What advice would you offer an aspiring Speech Therapist or Entrepreneur? • It takes time. You have to build a client base. • You have to get your name out there. It’s your skill and what you do in your practice that is going to get people calling you.
• You are not going to make any money initially. Most of the money that comes in, goes straight back into your business. • Always keep being professional. That’s how people are going to admire, respect you and keep coming back. • Be empathetic and welcoming. • Invest in continuing education and professional development
What does success looks like for EasySpeak? Making sure I have a really good success rate with my clients and to get people communicating. In the future I would like to open up my own multi-disciplinary clinic and be able to help as many people as possible.
Tell us about the power of networking. Speech Therapy is one of the fastest growing and changing fields. Networking, especially social networking is really big for me. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, SLP Chats, Periscope etc. has become a place for speech therapists. You get great ideas, quick skills and facts. There are always new findings, new research, new ways to do therapy and it is important to always have people who are experts in similar and allied areas who can support your business.
“I travel every other year to conferences, attend seminars, webinars, etc. I am always aim to be on top of my game, always updating my skills.” ~Shareka Bentham
fun facts A Photographer and World Traveler – Photography is her escape and she enjoys travelling and capturing countries A Fitness Instructor – Loves working out, motivating her class and making fitness fun A Foodie- Loves trying new foods and going out to new places to eat.
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 27
Do You Note? Introducing the Galaxy Note 4 By Kristel Kouly
T
he Samsung Galaxy Note 4 launched last month as the newest Samsung flagship device on the market, just in time for the Christmas season with many exciting new upgrades.
The 5.7� Quad Super AMOLED screen on the Note 4 has 4xs resolution of HDTV with tight pixel density to give you stunning clarity and crispness on a display 10% brighter than the Note 3. On this new device millions of colours combine with incredible pixel density to make your screen come alive with clearer, brighter and more captivating images than ever before. Changing from the previous plastic frame, the Note 4 now has a beautifully cut metal frame with a soft textured back cover designed to keep it cool. The device is also thinner and stronger with a 2.5D glass stronger curved display providing great weight balance in hand.
28 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
The Note 4 comes with the best camera on the market ensuring great exposure and blur free memories sporting a 16MP rear camera with built in optical image stabilization guaranteeing that even when you zoom, your pictures stay in focus. The Note 4 also has a 3.7 MP front camera with added 4K resolution video capability. Most exciting is the a one of a kind ultra wide 120 degree panoramic selfie option which allows you to get more friends in your shot compared to the previous 90 degree selfie mode available on most devices. Now you can ensure everyone gets in the picture! The vibrant and warm colour capture and HDR functions give memories worth sharing and even printing.
lecture is even easier with “snap note�, allowing you to take a photo of notes displayed on the chalk board and turning them into an editable document. Perfect for any school or business lecture! The new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 also comes with faster charging capability and lasts longer than many devices on the market. You can get up to a 50% charge in only 30 minutes and a 10% charge gives you up to 24 hours standby time with the Ultra Power Saving Mode, exclusive to Samsung devices. The S Pen Evolution unique to Samsung devices now gives you more power, precision and control EVER. Select and share easily, drag and drop pictures and text using multiple windows and save time to be even more productive. Capturing notes during a class
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 29
r e w o l f i Caul Pizza
ingredients 2.5 cups grated cauliflower 1 large egg, beaten 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese 1 tsp basil, diced 1 tsp dried oregano Pinch of salt and pepper
method Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray or grease your pizza pan with cooking spray and set it aside. Place the cauliflower crumbles into a large bowl and microwave for 7 minutes or until they soften. Remove the bowl from the microwave and allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes.
healthy & delicious This low-carb, low calorie Cauliflower Crust pizza is simple, delicious and healthy and full of great flavour. It can take on any of your favourite toppings. 30 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
In a separate bowl, mix all of the other ingredients together, then add the cooled cauliflower to form a dough. Spread the dough out evenly onto the pan, making sure it’s not too thin in any spots and then bake it for 15-20 minutes. Remove it from the oven and add your sauce and toppings. Place the bowl back in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 31
see more pictures on www.dazzlebarbados.com & facebook.com/dazzlebarbados
1
1. Nikita at Cooler Vibes 2. Peter Ram at Cooler Vibes 3. Damian Marvay at Cooler Vibes 4. Bacardi beauties at UV 5. Coupled off at UV 32 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com
2
3
4
5
6. The boys at UV 7. Odbo!h at Animekon 8. Nice smiles at UV 9. Charles Phillips showing one of his pieces at Animekon
6
7
10
8
9
12
11
13
10. Queen of hearts 11. Hulk Smash 12. Feeling kinda tipsy 13. The realtimeslomo booth at Tipsy
www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 33
Dazzlebarbados
dazzlebarbados Team Up
34
Follow US instagram/dazzlebarbados DAZZLE www.dazzlebarbados.com
coming soon app facebook.com/dazzlebarbados
facebook.com/dazzlebarbados
facebook.com/dazzlebarbados
Issue 1
Romance at the RIƂFH *RRG RU Bad?
Kimtara Clarke
The Girlfriend behind the Expo
Corey Springer
Labelled as A Narcissist and Using it to his Advantage
Katrina ,ğOO
Issue 2
Janelle Chase-Mayers Don’t Get All Tied Up!
Kyle Smith
Kicking it Curbside
Matthew Fewwture Ashby The PINK Elephant in the Room
Building communities through strength and conditioning
CSR: The Strategy of Giving
Neil Alvin
Killing it with Style
Lloyda Springer
Ieashia Browne
Amanda DReifer ale Tro
Staying True to Foreday
fa ce
bo ok
.c om
/d az
zl eb
ar ba
Natasha Simpson
She's got Talent
do s
The t Business of
Live, Love, Design
ma
Inno Revelling thro vation n Dev ugh App elop men t Try me!
Try me!
dazzlebarbados.com
The Slim Chef Getting Started on your Fitness Journey
Up to the Time
Beating The Hangover!
Putting Bat to Ball
The Samsung Galaxy Camera
Dane Saddler
Locing it Down
Advantage to Apple
Jonathan Carter
Teaching the Art of Self-Love and Sexual Empowerment
Issue 3
Nikele Davis
Damien Applewhaite
Our Top 3 Summer Bluetooth Speakers
Diffe Lega rent Ty in B l Struc pes of tu usin ess res
Issu
e4
Cus Edge tom Serv er ice
dazzlebarbados.com
HDM Proje I Pocke t ctor Mob
now available
dazzlebarbados.com
201 Tips 5, Surv to & Th ive rive
Me Wa lissa
A w lcot e App ll Rount-Pus roac d h to ed ey Bus ines s
Try me!
Dea n 5 Must haveHApps Cutt arpe r ing for Entrepreneurs
Ar Meshhad ter Crea ti Relang Elec tions tric hips
ile
Try m
dazz
leba
rbad
e!
os.c om
go online to dazzlebarbados.com to subscribe now www.dazzlebarbados.com
DAZZLE 35
Make
your
ideas STICK We separate your brand from the clutter of the marketplace and competition. Creativity is at the heart of everything we do. T: 246.234.8140 E: orinjenation@gmail.com 36 DAZZLE
www.dazzlebarbados.com