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Sober Soldiers, it’s the parlay way!

In this episode we get into the shows we’ve been watching, including our thoughts on The Odyssey, what’s been on repeat in our playlists, the latest sneaker conversations, and the events that have caught our attention. As always, one topic leads to another, and before you know it, we’re unpacking everything from music and film to the little moments that make the culture what it is.

Tap in

Dianne Squires explores the layered concept of voice – audible, figurative, and expressive – and its importance for influencing change within Caribbean communities.
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I’ve been talking about speaking up for ourselves, our businesses and the impact we want to create as Caribbean women founders. But what I haven’t explained is what I mean when I say “voice” and why it is important. I break down the three layers of ‘voice’ and how they all point to a free, if not always easy, way to create change.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction (What is my Voice and why this isn’t a simple question?)
01:30 The three layers of voice
03:24 Voice as a tool for influence and change
04:40 Big Media’s External Voice and its Influence on Modern Caribbean identity
05:29 The importance of strategic voice for impact (examples from Island Woman podcast guests)
08:06 A word to introverts on using the power of voice
08:44 Call to action: share your voice and join initiatives
10:30 Outro
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🟥Share your real-life experiences of workplace visibility and voice. How has speaking up shaped your career?

👉🏾 Take the Workplace Visibility and Voice Survey: https://forms.gle/tPZGjNniFxnGWMET9
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🟥Get 30 days of guided practice to help you sharpen your voice with your most critical audience – yourself. Join the waitlist for Executive Voice Lab™ – new cohort starting in September 2026. Once you register, we’ll email you programme details and next steps.

👉🏾Sign up for the Executive Voice Lab™ Waitlist Signup – https://forms.gle/RgeHfxzvSpdpvgpW8

*Please note: Being on the waitlist does not guarantee a spot and no payments are required until your place is confirmed.
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Related Episodes:

International Film & TV Production – Caribbean Style | Kerri Birch, Co-founder, 13 Degrees North – https://youtu.be/pBEgFsRwSj8

Strive, Be Visible, Protect Your Peace: Jackie Chambers de Freitas, Salesforce VP AI, Transformation – https://youtu.be/0MupCpoFF4c

Caribbean Skincare | Science, Art, Culture, Simplicity | Simply Ashyara, Founder House of Ash – https://youtu.be/kBDWqQnOHCM
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Connect with Island Woman
Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

#IslandWomanpodcast #Caribbeanwomenfounders #voiceforchange #yourvoicematters #caribbeanpodcast

In this episode, Dianne Squires addresses the challenges faced by Caribbean women leaders in speaking up for themselves and their businesses. She shares five key reasons why many women hesitate to voice their opinions and expertise and offers practical advice on overcoming these barriers. The conversation emphasises the importance of self-leadership, practice, and navigating professional ethics while maintaining visibility and authority in the workplace.

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In last week’s episode, I asked the question to Caribbean Women founders and leaders, “Why don’t we speak up for ourselves, our businesses and the impact we want to see?”

This week, I’m offering 5 answers to that question based on my personal experience as a Caribbean Founder and my interaction and work with other Caribbean women founders and leaders in business.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: A message to Caribbean women founders and leaders
00:34 Share Your Perspectives on Workplace Visibility and Voice
01:44 Don’t wait for permission to speak
03:43 Acknowledge that you’re ready and your insights count
05:09 Overcoming the fear of being wrong
07:07 Practice speaking up to yourself
09:45 Honouring confidentiality while sharing lessons
12:28 Outro
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🟥Share your real-life experiences of workplace visibility and voice. How has speaking up shaped your career?

👉🏾 Take the Workplace Visibility and Voice Survey: https://forms.gle/tPZGjNniFxnGWMET9
————
🟥Get 30 days of guided practice to help you sharpen your voice with your most critical audience – yourself. Join the waitlist for Executive Voice Lab™ – new cohort starting in September 2026. Once you register, we’ll email you programme details and next steps.

👉🏾Sign up for the Executive Voice Lab™ Waitlist Signup – https://forms.gle/RgeHfxzvSpdpvgpW8

*Please note: Being on the waitlist does not guarantee a spot and no payments are required until your place is confirmed.

Connect with Island Woman
Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

Dianne N Squires, Founder of communications practice DNSC takes a look at her own journey, sharing insights on the importance of voice and visibility for Caribbean woman entrepreneurs – essentially, speaking up about our businesses. This episode explores personal growth, vulnerability and the significance of scaling a business while maintaining wellbeing.

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This episode, I put myself in the hot seat to answer the questions I’ve been asking Caribbean woman leaders and entrepreneurs this season. What is my core work? What motivates that work? How do I rate myself on the ambition/wellbeing scale? It was all inspired by the last episode with Shauna Marshall of SMB Consulting, who encouraged Caribbean entrepreneurs to take ourselves seriously. I asked myself, what would I do if I were taking my communications business (DNSC) seriously, and how would I use the podcast to do that? I’d do what I do for other businesses: speak up about my business!

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and episode milestone
01:00 Celebrating 45 episodes and the journey so far
03:21 The importance of taking small businesses seriously
04:17 My personal journey from independent consultant to scaling up
06:13 The big ambition: Living the big and simple life
08:09 My simple ritual: Gratitude and connection with nature
10:17 My core work: Elevating Caribbean voices globally
12:55 Women, voice, and impact in business
16:55 The rise of women-owned businesses in Barbados
18:24 The power of vulnerability and sharing personal stories
21:50 Ambition and well-being scale: Where do I stand?
23:09 Balancing ambition with well-being
25:35 How to connect with me and learn more

👉🏾Take the Workplace Visibility and Voice Survey for Caribbean Women and Women of Caribbean Descent (3 minutes max):

🌟 What are your real experiences in the workplace? Complete the “Workplace Visibility and Voice” survey for Caribbean women or women of Caribbean descent here: https://forms.gle/Knmw4LpQwsuBQ6WHA

Related Episodes:
👉🏾 Take Your Caribbean Small Business Seriously | Shauna Marshall, Founder, SMB Consulting Services – https://youtu.be/x9fCePL4WXA
👉🏾 Caribbean Agency Owner Turned Business Coach | Christina Hunte, Dream Builders Institute – https://youtu.be/YgccOGOFEL8?si=KwegY7cnoTCNb1ZI

🌴Connect with Island Woman:

Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
——————-

Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

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The Island Woman podcast has been recognised by Feedspot as one of the Top 30 Island Podcasts on the web. Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

Check out the list here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/island_podcasts/?feed_id=8701532&_src=f2_featured_email#h8701532

#IslandWomanPodcast #Caribbeanpodcast #VoiceVisibilityImpact #communicationsstrategy #Caribbeanwomanfounder #ambitionandwellbeing
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Sober Soldiers, this week, we sit down with Dukii Gone Green for one of our most thought-provoking conversations yet.

We unpack his militant upbringing and how it shaped his worldview, his roots in the Vaal rap scene, and the rivalries and tensions that have influenced its story over the years. We also dive deep into his artistic approach to music; how he builds his sound, the intention behind his work, and why authenticity remains at the centre of everything he creates.

An honest conversation about identity, creativity, and the journey of an artist carving out his own lane.

Tap in.

MSME Development Specialist Shauna Marshall wants Caribbean small business owners to take their businesses seriously. She shared this on the Island Woman podcast with Dianne N Squires, noting the massive contribution these businesses make to Caribbean economies. Her “Business & Bites” event, initiated in Barbados four years ago to celebrate MSME Day, has now grown into a full-fledged MSME ecosystem, which she plans to take region-wide.
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Shauna Marshall of SMB Consulting Services has become our first repeat guest on the podcast. Her no-nonsense business advice on a season 2 episode, “From Solopreneur to Enterprise”, made it one of the most watched and listened to episodes of that season. This time around, we had the chance to talk about how an event she conceptualised four years ago to celebrate MSME Day has not only a major sponsored event for the community but has transformed into an ecosystem where MSME players can connect, learn and get support. It now has the backing of major financial services company Payce Digital, which will open credit opportunities and payment systems learning to MSMEs in the Business and Bites network. Shauna has huge ambitions for her business and the Business and Bites platform, and of course we talked about how that matches up to her state of wellbeing – she’s working on that last part.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Shauna Marshall
03:41 Ambition and Daily Rituals
06:39 The Importance of Visibility
09:40 Creating Change Through Voice
13:07 Structural Challenges for MSMEs
18:13 Building Business and Bytes Ecosystem
23:03 Ambition and Well-Being: A Balancing Act
25:52 The Importance of Systems for Growth
29:01 MSMEs: The Backbone of Economic Growth
32:11 Taking Yourself Seriously as a Business Owner
36:00 The Power of Voice and Visibility

Connect with Island Woman
Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Shauna Marshall and SMB Consulting Services

Websites:
https://smbconsultingservices.com/
https://businessandbites.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-marshall/
Instagram: @consultingsmb – https://www.instagram.com/consultingsmb/
Facebook.com:
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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

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The Island Woman podcast has been recognised by Feedspot as one of the Top 30 Island Podcasts on the web. Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

Check out the list here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/island_podcasts/?feed_id=8701532&_src=f2_featured_email#h8701532

#IslandWomanPodcast #Caribbeanpodcast #msmegrowth #businesssystems #businessecosystem #caribbeanwomenfounders nfounder #ambitionandwellbeing
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This week’s episode of the Island Woman Podcast with Dianne N Squires features Dr. Shindale Seale, Founder and CEO of SEADE Coaching and Consulting, as she unpacks her CEEDS™ framework (Cultural Equity and Economic Development Strategy).

There’s a real cost to the good, bad and in-between behaviours organisations accept, and Dr. Seale calculates that cost in dollars and cents. She breaks down how CEEDS™ helps organisations correct workplace culture in line with strategy. But what about the cost and benefit of her big Island Woman ambition as a founder of Caribbean descent? Dr. Seale reveals the deep wellbeing work she still has to do.

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Organisations generally acknowledge that strong workplace culture lays the foundation for solid performance. But what impresses me about Dr. Shindale Seale’s work is that she actually helps organisations quantify in dollars and cents what misaligned culture costs them through her CEEDS™ framework. She says it boils down to maths and some organisational psychology and behaviour principles but for businesses in the Caribbean, it could mean better workplace culture and savings.

We discussed her drive, ambition and where she is on the ambition/wellbeing scale, a metric we like to use to track where guests are on the BIG and simple Life™ spectrum. After all, Caribbean women founders and leaders have to stay well to realise our big ambitions and help our communities and countries prosper.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Shindale Seale and Seeds Framework
06:47 Understanding Organizational Strategy and Cultural Engagement
09:59 Resistance to Change and Launching in Barbados
13:54 Overcoming Internal Resistance as a Leader
18:28 The Successful Launch of Seeds in Barbados
21:19 Quantifying Cultural Misalignment for Caribbean Businesses
22:04 Creating a 90-Day Roadmap for Business Success
23:37 Understanding the Productivity Tax in Caribbean Businesses
24:28 Tailoring Strategies for Solopreneurs and Small Businesses
26:29 The Importance of Reputation Capital
27:16 Assessing Ambition and Well-Being in Business
29:13 Balancing Ambition with Personal Well-Being
31:52 The Role of Women in Business and Community
33:47 Self-Care and Managing Anxiety in Entrepreneurship
36:34 Upcoming Events and Opportunities for Growth

Connect with Island Woman
Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dr. Shindale Seale and Seade Coaching and Consulting

Website: https://seadecc.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drshindale

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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

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The Island Woman podcast has been recognised by Feedspot as one of the Top 30 Island Podcasts on the web. Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.Check out the list here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/island_podcasts/?feed_id=8701532&_src=f2_featured_email#h8701532

#IslandWomanPodcast #Caribbeanpodcast #Workplaceculture #strategy #Math #wellbeing

Makwa Returns to The Sobering

Six years later, Makwa is back on The Sobering for a conversation that’s equal parts reflection and evolution.

We caught up on everything that’s happened since we last sat down, from the lessons he’s learned and the experiences that have shaped him, to his current state of mind and the perspective he’s gained along the way. We also spoke about family, growth, and how those responsibilities continue to influence the man behind the music.

Of course, we got into the new music, his creative process, and how he’s continued to push himself artistically while staying true to who he is.

A candid conversation with one of the most influential voices in South African music, six years in the making. Tap in.

Twelve years running a successful marketing agency from Barbados taught Christina Hunte a lot not only about marketing but about the mindset, money moves and systems needed to stay successful. It’s no wonder other entrepreneurs kept asking her for tips. Today, she has turned that demand into a full-fledged business coaching business – Dream Builders Institute. It’s not the first pivot she’s made over the years, and even as someone with more introverted than extroverted tendencies, she’s stayed visible throughout. Why? She tells Island Woman podcast host Dianne N Squires it’s because her mission to help is greater than her fear of being seen.
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I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Christina Hunte, Founder of the Dream Builders Institute, on this week’s episode. She founded the boutique marketing agency Kreativ Edge and made it a success, being featured as one of Barbados’ top 30 entrepreneurs under 30 along the way. Throughout her 12 years running Kreativ Edge, her business savvy, genuine social media presence and obvious attention to clients’ success attracted other entrepreneurs to her, asking for guidance. Business coaching became a “side thing” until it didn’t.

We talk about:
Her big ambition and simple grounding practices
Being visible and transparent while navigating career evolution
What prompted the transition from Kreativ Edge to Dream Builders Institute
How Dream Builders Institute Helps Entrepreneurs
Where she sits now on the Island Woman Ambition/Wellbeing scale

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Christina Hunte
03:18 Christina’s Entrepreneurial Journey
05:57 Transitioning to Business Coaching
08:14 The Role of Psychology in Business
11:18 Navigating Visibility as an Introvert
15:01 Building Trust with an Evolving Audience
17:23 The Dream Builders Institute
20:03 Program Structure and Evolution
21:44 Embracing Change and New Identities
23:44 Ambition vs. Well-being
26:52 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
28:41 Who is a fit for Dream Builders Institute
31:43 Podcast outro

Get in Touch
To get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite, follow our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
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Connect with Dianne
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com

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Connect with Christina Hunte
Instagram: @IamChristinaHunte – https://www.instagram.com/iamchristinahunte/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinahunte/
Website:https://christinahunte.com/

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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Through DNSC, her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.
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The Island Woman podcast has been recognised by Feedspot as one of the Top 30 Island Podcasts on the web. Check out the list here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/island_podcasts/?feed_id=8701532&_src=f2_featured_email#h8701532
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#islandwomanpodcast #caribbeanwomeninbusiness #caribbeanpodcast #CaribbeanBusinessCoach #BigandSimpleLife

Caribbean Skincare | Science, Art, Culture, Simplicity | Simply Ashyara, Founder House of Ash

The skin is a dynamic ecosystem and what we see as breakouts or other issues are signals from elsewhere in the body and mind, says Simply Ashyara, a skincare formulator and Founder of House of Ash. She discusses her formulation process, blending science, art and culture and examples of the multi-purpose, multi-sensory, pro-planet products created by House of Ash with Dianne N Squires on the Island Woman podcast this week. No ten-step routines needed, just skincare made simple.

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Simply Ashyara speaks my language when it comes to skincare – keep it simple, no ten-step routines necessary. At age eight, her great aunt gifted her the Elizabeth Arden Red Door fragrance. She was captivated by the scent, the colour and the packaging which revealed the product behind a “red door”. Later, at 14, she visited Lush, a cosmetics retailer in England. The total experience of scents, packaging, and products built on the Red Door experience and triggered her interest in formulation. That idea of total experience set the tone for her approach to formulation, blending science, art and culture to produce multi-sensory, multi-purpose, pro-planet products.

We talk about:
The role of cultural stories in skincare formulation
The importance of understanding skin as a dynamic ecosystem
Sustainable and eco-conscious product development
The impact of stress and mental health on skin
The significance of multi-sensory experiences in skincare

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Simply Ashyara and House of Ash
05:03 The Role of a Skincare Formulator
09:32 The Story Behind House of Ash
14:36 Mind, Skin, and Gut Connection
17:15 The Philosophy of Less is More
21:02 Balancing Ambition and Wellbeing
25:17 Advice for Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs

Get in Touch
Get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Simply Ashyara and House of Ash

Substack: As Analogs 2.0
IG: @ _HouseofAsh; https://www.instagram.com/_houseofash/
IG: @SimplyAshyara; https://www.instagram.com/simplyashyara/

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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

#islandwomanpodcast #skincare #Caribbean #caribbeanwomeninbusiness