Author

Is it possible to be penalised for being successful? And does this happen more often to women? In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I explore what I call the “success penalty” — the quiet but heavy cost women sometimes pay for shining too brightly.

From the fear of being “too visible” to research-backed evidence of backlash against successful women, we dive into why achievements that should open doors can sometimes close them instead. And we ask: Who really loses when women shrink themselves to fit into the status quo?

Whether you’re a Caribbean woman entrepreneur, an expert building authority, or a creative navigating the tension between visibility and backlash, this conversation is for you.
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Inside this episode:
– Real conversations with women leaders who fear being too successful
– The concept of intentional invisibility and how it limits careers and businesses
– Why women face harsher judgments than men when they excel
– How this shows up in small Caribbean communities

A powerful reframe: how to navigate the success penalty without shrinking yourself
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🌺 Rooted & Ready Coaching
The Rooted & Ready programme was created to help women founders, consultants, and experts show up with clarity and courage, without being drained by social media. If you’re ready to be visible, build your authority, and attract higher-level opportunities,
Email me at diannensquires@diannensquires.com with the subject line: Tell Me About Rooted and Ready.
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📌 Related episode: [Why Caribbean Women are Rethinking Success – Ep. 8, Season 1]
https://youtu.be/fUAbkrQEN1U?si=UrxmQSxznWxTN2Qk

Studies referenced:
Sweetha Ballakrishnen, Priya Fielding-Singh and Bella Maggliozi and titled, Intentional Invisibility: Professional Women and the Navigation of Workplace Constraints – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325110839_Intentional_Invisibility_Professional_Women_And_The_Navigation_Of_Workplace_Constraints

Madeline E. Heilman et al., Penalties for Success: reactions to women who succeed at male gender-typed tasks – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8545836_Penalties_for_Success_Reactions_to_Women_Who_Succeed_at_Male_Gender-Typed_Tasks
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💬 Let’s continue the conversation:
Have you ever felt the “success penalty” in your career, business, or community? Drop a comment. I’d love to hear your story.
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🔗 Connect with me
Website: https://www.diannensquires.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132
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#IslandWomanPodcast #CaribbeanWomenEntrepreneurs #HolisticWealth #CaribbeanVoices #VisibilityMatters

From postnatal incontinence to midlife health challenges, Caribbean women are often navigating wellness issues in silence. In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I sit down with Barbadian entrepreneur Mialisa Garnes, founder of The Wellness Growth Agency and host of the Wellness & Growth Journeys podcast. Mialisa shares how her own experience as a new mother over 35 inspired her to carve out a niche in health and wellness marketing, building trust, community, and visibility for women-centered clinics, coaches, and practitioners.

📌 Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
02:38 – 3 essentials for a Caribbean woman entrepreneur’s survival kit
04:36 – Why choosing a niche in a small market works
07:09 – Mialisa’s personal reasons for choosing the health and wellness niche
12:09 – How marketing bridges the knowledge gap in the health and wellness sector
15:47 – Essential marketing for new health and wellness businesses on a budget
23:11 – Why starting the Wellness Growth Podcast was important
28:33 – An alarming issue in women’s health and wellness in the Caribbean

We talk about:
🌺 Why marketing women’s health in the Caribbean requires sensitivity and education
🌺 How Caribbean women can stop “settling” and put our health first
🌺 What small wellness businesses should prioritize when starting digital marketing
🌺 The importance of showing up, telling your story, and bridging the gap between care providers and women seeking support

If you’re an entrepreneur, wellness professional, or simply a Caribbean woman curious about how we can take better care of ourselves, this conversation will spark ideas and inspiration.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the Island Woman Podcast for more stories at the crossroads of Caribbean culture, women’s voices, and holistic living.

#IslandWomanPodcast #CaribbeanWomen #WomensHealth #CaribbeanEntrepreneurs #HolisticWellness

From solopreneur to enterprise — how do we as Caribbean women entrepreneurs make the leap from side hustle to sustainable business?
In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I’m joined by Shauna Marshall, MSME development strategist and founder of SMB Consulting. We talk about what it really takes to scale our businesses with intention, structure, and vision.
📌 Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
00:52 – Percentage of women employers in the Caribbean
01:28 – Who Shauna Marshall is and what she does for MSMEs
02:50 – What’s in a Caribbean woman entrepreneur’s survival kit?
04:37 – How sustainable is the microenterprise or the side hustle for Caribbean women?
08:04 – How to overcome trading time for money in your business
10:27 – Moving from survival mode to growth mode
13:33 – Top things to do to move from solopreneur to enterprise

We also talk about the cultural challenges Caribbean women face around sales, visibility, and leadership — and how embracing these areas can transform a “small business” into a lasting legacy.

If you’re a Caribbean woman entrepreneur looking to grow beyond survival mode into holistic wealth and intentional living, this conversation is for you.
✨ Connect with Shauna Marshall & SMB Consulting:
Website: www.smbconsulting.com
LinkedIn: @Shauna Marshall

🎧 About the Island Woman Podcast
Ready to live a BIG and simple life? The Island Woman Podcast is where I share reflections from my own journey and amplify the voices and expertise of Caribbean people, especially women in leadership, entrepreneurship, and creative life. Each episode dives into the realities of growth, resilience, and visibility — from the perspective of women shaping our futures with clarity and courage.

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more conversations that matter to Caribbean women everywhere.
#CaribbeanWomenEntrepreneurs #WomenInLeadership #MSME #IslandWomanPodcast #Visibility