Venturing into Entrepreneurship

By    May 15, 2020 // No comments
I have always loved the idea of working for myself and over the years have thought out many different ideas in my head, some from the sublime to the ridiculous.  I am yet to take the plunge and dive into entrepreneurship but it's definitely something that I am taking into strong consideration.  

 I think the reason that I have never pursued it, is because quite frankly I have been scared of failure and it's not something that I was ever told that I could achieve.  I mean me, become a business owner? I don't think so, well that is what I have been telling myself all of these years.  I was taught to get a good education, get a great job with benefits then retire, no where in that equation was it ever mentioned that I could create my own empire and follow a different path.  That inner voice of self doubt can take years to break free from, but as I am getting older I'm  realising that now more than ever might be the right time to take the plunge into small business ownership.

I am not someone that dislikes my nine to five job, in fact I really love it and the people I work with.  However, despite this, I am beginning to look more into the future and think about what I would like my my quality and standard of life to be.  Spending so much time inside working from  home has helped me put a lot of those self doubt into perspective.  While, I would love to make a decent living from any venture I turn my hands to, I have a way more realistic idea of how much time I can feasibly dedicate to a business and taking small steps will be essential.  I also, know that I get bored fairly feasibility, therefore it is a must that I love what I am doing and that it doesn't feel like a burden.  

Not knowing where to start has been one of the biggest obstacles for me, because I've always believed that I need to come up with some big intellectually stimulating idea akin to Bill Gates, but I definitely know this is not true.   I have noticed that many of the most brilliant business models are very simplistic and quirky and  fill a gap in that particular market.  Even if the competition is high, there is still enough room for everyone by setting yourself apart from others and by seeing how you can be more innovative.  

I am not going to lie and say that the fear is not still there, or that I have it all worked out, but I can visualise what my potential future could be and that is enough motivation for me to at least try.  I might fail but I cannot let the thought of failure debilitate me and hold me back from something that could be potentially life changing for my family.   This is a journey for me and I want other  potential female entrepreneurs out there to know that your ideas are valid and it is OK to be afraid and you can do it or rather we can do it and let's take these small but mighty steps together on the road to self change.




Financially Surviving the COVID19 Pandemic

By    May 12, 2020 // No comments

Unless you have been living under a rock or in outer space it’s no secret that the world is facing the worst financial crisis that we’ve seen in probably three hundred years. COVID19 has pushed us all to the absolute limit, mentally, physically and financially.  I don’t know what the current situation is where you live, but in the UK things are pretty bleak with no real end in sight as yet.  If you are lucky enough to have clung on to a job, then believe me you should thank you’re lucky stars because for many the harsh reality is that they have been plunged into poverty or barely making ends meet.   If any of this ring true there is help for you out there.  I’m no expert on all of this, but if I can use this platform to help at least one person then I can at least feel satisfied that I tried. With that being said, I have pulled together a brief outline of what’s available to help you during this trying time. 

The Furlough Scheme

Furlough also known as the job retention scheme, was introduced by the UK Government in March to support those companies hit by the coronavirus.  It works by temporarily assisting with paying the wages of people who are unable to do their jobs. The benefit of this scheme is that you are able to stay on the payroll even though you aren’t working. Your employer also has the option of topping up your salary  if they choose to and must inform you if you have been furloughed.   The Government have extended the scheme until October 2020 and further guidance is available. Read the guidance it’s imperative that you know what your rights are because when this all ends you need to be crystal clear about your employment status. 

Help for the Self-Employed 

The self-employed income support scheme (SEISS) was introduced in March to offer financial support to the self-employed during the Coronavirus.  The scheme covers up to 80% of self-employed workers earnings (average taxable monthly profits).  This scheme has faced much criticism because it’s only eligible to those who can provide their average profits over the past three years and a cap of £2500 has been placed on this, which is also taxable.      This is not ideal if you are newly self employed but you might be able to get support from one of the many voluntary organisations.

Advice and Support 

There are a number of organisations that are offering support for those who need it. The BritishRedCross Coronavirus Support Line . If you are finding it difficult to cope and might need support with accessing food and medication or dealing with the isolation, the BritishRedCross is there to help.   There are other voluntary organisations that are doing the same such as Mind, Crisis, the Citizens Advice Bureau.  If you need to speak to someone, do it because the loneliness can be unbearable.  Contact your Local Authority and if that fails contact your local Member of Parliament they are there to help their constituents so hold them accountable. Whatever route you choose, get help If you need it and do not suffer in silence.  

How You Can Support
If you are in a more fortunate position in this time of global crisis there are some things that you could do.  

 Volunteer

 Check on your neighbours especially if they are elderly, vulnerable or live alone

 Donate unwanted items or extra food items 

 Offer a skill, if you are a teacher offer free online tutoring, or if you have counselling skills 
call someone who might be feeling lonely. 

 Donate PPE, if you can sew our NHS workers really need medical uniforms 

 Donate blood 

 Cut down on frivolous spending and be less wasteful 

 Be kinder to yourself and others 







Caribbean Carnivals - Culture, Curves and Confidence

By    May 04, 2020 // No comments



It wasn't until I was much older that I was allowed to participate in Carnival and those of you who know about growing up in a Caribbean household will understand how strict our parents can be. Although I was raised in Britain, my upbringing was everything but British, and I often joke that when you entered my house you were in fact entering the island of Barbados. The one thing that has always stood out is the love my family has for their homeland and the culture.     

Although I did not participate in a carnival until I was in my early teens, my love affair with carnival began when I was a mere five years old,  to be exact my love of  the Crop Over festival in Barbados.  I remember the excitement from my family when they spoke about "de festival" and I sat in wonderment listening to them reciting the latest songs and events they would be attending.   Then I witnessed it, the festival in all of its glory, the  decorated carts, the costumes, Bridgetown Market and the masquerade bands parading through the National Stadium.   I heard the music, I saw the joy of the masqueraders and the revelry of the crowd and I was hooked.  

One thing that has always struck me about Caribbean carnivals, is the overt display of body confidence on show from the revellers especially the women.  There isn't a  body type or size that isn't represented in the festivals. I am not a slim woman by any standard and I can truly say that I've never really been overly self conscious about wearing a carnival costume and parading through the streets and this is because I know that there are plenty of women who look just like me in a costume too.   It's not that people aren't aware of their size when playing mas, it's more that they don't care and if you have a problem then oh well.  



The fact that you can be transformed into whatever you want is really appealing to me especially when you may be judged on a daily basis about your appearance.  It's the one time of year that you can let loose and say to hell with it and don a bedazzled masterpiece and just have some unadulterated fun.  Caribbean women have a particular essence about them that is hard to put into words and you will often hear the phrase "carnival is woman" and I have to say I agree.  It is extremely refreshing to see how confident and empowered the women are and there is a lot that can be learnt from this.  I am not saying that this is solely the result of carnival, but the psychological affect  on body confidence is undeniable.

Do I think the costumes are skimpy or course yes, do people dance in a manner that might seem vulgar to some , yes,  and are the fetes (parties) crazy and wild, at times yes but the take home is that you need to educate yourself about the history of carnival before judging.  If the idea of wearing a carnival costume fills you with dread, remember there is something for everyone, you don't have to wear a bikini if you're not comfortable.  Research the mas bands and find something that suits you because it is about fun not fear.

My love for carnival is about more than the beautiful costumes, it's about the people and the melting pot of different cultures colliding into complex yet invigorating  festivals of music, food and the arts around the Caribbean and further afield.  Despite the changes over the years,  I am still in love with Caribbean carnivals and of course Crop Over because it embodies my cultural heritage; the stories, the folklore, the music and the drama.  It showcases the best of the Caribbean, the beauty of the people and the confidence of our women and I for one will forever be in awe of it.  

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