Business Advice From 25 Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs
Hailing from beauty, to food and fashion, here are some nuggets of wisdom from 25 Caribbean business owners based in the U.S.
“You will question your journey, your GOD, gift and most of all yourself. Keep going anyway!“ Dr. Nicole Seargent. Founder/CEO Morgan Taylor Scrubs
“Be vulnerable. Don't hold back. Love is the antidote to fear. It will help more than anything else when it comes to sharing your work.” Victoria B. Artist. Llanakila Art.
“'Every situation in life is temporary. So when life is good, make sure you enjoy and receive it fully. And when life is not so good, remember that it will not last forever, and better days are on the way.'' - Unknown. My mother has always repeated this to me from a very young age and it has become my life motto.” Myriam Jean-Baptiste. CoFounder, LS Cream Liquer
“Show up as your authentic self. This requires self-awareness - an ongoing exercise in self improvement and adaptability. Do not dumb down who you are and do not hold back what makes you lean into excellence. That excellence should be solution based, accountable and brave.” Oneika Phillips, Broadway Performer - "First Grenadian Woman on Broadway"/Master Dance Fitness Tribe Leader at Socanomics.
“Do the hard things! Solve the problems that others overlook. There are rich professional and personal rewards for oneself, as well as tangible benefits for those being served.” Osleen Carrington. Chief Executive Officer, The Economic Development Fund.
“Value the relationships you build at every phrase of your business/career journey. You never know who you will meet and where you or they maybe in years to come.” Renee Hastick-Motes. Vice President External Affairs, Episcopal Health Services Inc. & President, St. John’s ICARE Foundation.
“Do what you love--not what you're told to love.” Melissa Noel. Founder and CEO, Mel&N Media Group.
“No entrepreneur has risen in the subtleties of their own comfort. If you are moving in fear, then you are heading in the right direction.” Yvena Despagne. Independent Art Curator & Founder of Art x Ayiti / Art x Ayiti LLC.
“A true business requires risk, a good business requires failure, a great business pushes through both.” Janel A Sealy. CEO, Cocoa Mane Inc.
“You cannot do it all!!! Do the deep work to find and admit your weaknesses. Hire or outsource to bring on people with the skills that are complementary to yours or that fill the gaps where you may be weak or don't have the capacity to perform. Create the dream team so that you can operate in your strengths. In the beginning, this may look like bringing on interns, but as your grow your business, invest in building your dream team.“ Abby Charles. Director, Institute for Public Health Innovation, Founder Bene Caribe, Curator, DC is Caribbean.
"When you receive then give, when you learn then teach." Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson. Design Director, adidas S.E.E.D. | Chief Creative Consultant, No Shoes Creative.
“Never take no for an answer and be flexible!” Mabel Frías, Co-Founder & CEO, LUNA MAGIC & Shaira Frías, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer.
“You read and hear a lot about the about the toll that entrepreneurship can take in terms of long hours, sleepless nights and all the physical stamina required for all that needs to be done. We said, ok we can do this because we aren’t afraid of hard work. What we quickly learned is that a lot of emotional and mental resilience is also needed. Being an entrepreneur is very challenging. It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done. Apart from dealing with everything that goes into running the business, there are other things you need to face and be strong enough to overcome. “ Jamila & Malika Augustin. Co-Founders, Callaloo Box.
“Stay focused on your WHY. People will try to discourage you but if you believe in your why, others will too.“ Nadia C. Jagessar. Owner, Euphoria Events.
“Embrace your uniqueness and keep going! The world needs you. It deserves to experience your specific talent, product or idea. There is someone out there who would greatly benefit from your perspective and purpose, therefore don't let doubt or nay sayers distract or derail you. God has given you a mission and this dream for a reason and it is for you to see it through to the end.“ Kristen Woollery Shop LLC
“Seek small, good things that nourish your mind, body, and spirit in support of your creativity.” Simone Dalton, Author & Educator.
“Making money is a huge motivator in all of our lives, but I have learned firsthand that you should never travel down a road just because there is a promise of financial gain. You need to have a real passion for what you are doing and the decisions you are making for these decisions to be worth it.” Andrea McKenzie. Artist.
“Success happens when you are outside of your comfort zone.” Ronnie Tomlinson. DestinE Media PR.
“There's always going to be something that failed or wasn't as successful as you'd hope and it's ok to be disappointed. But you can't afford to be caught up in the failure because it's hard to be creative or productive when we are still pining over the failure. And if we're not creative or productive it's hard for the business to survive. Instead use the failure to galvanize energy for the next project, product, service. “ Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown. Founder, Executive Producer of Breadfruit Media.
“You are only as strong as your team. Remember to invest into good people.“ Rashida Holmes. Bridgetown Roti.
“Trust the vision that is placed in your heart and see past your fears. Things get easier when you keep going.” DJ Kayla G.
“When you fall, remember to always get up and keep going; the sun will come out tomorrow.” Dayanne Danier. Creative Director, Bien Abyé.
“Be your authentic self. When you show-up as your whole authentic self, this resonates more than when you show up a version of yourself you think people want.“ Althea Brown. Owner/Chief Creator, Metemgee.com
“Your superpower is being you. So never stop showing up your authentic self. When you do others will see it, feel it and will get behind your mission.“ Creative Director & CEO, Terese Sydonna
“There will never be a perfect time, nor will you have the perfect product or branding in the beginning. Know and understand your financials, especially as a woman in beauty. For some reason it’s unexpected.“ Yve-Car Momperousse. CEO/Founder, Kreyol Essence