YouTube

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.

——————

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
—————
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.

——————–
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
‐————

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.
————————–

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
—————
Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

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

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.

——————–
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
‐————

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.

———————

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
—————
Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

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

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

———————-

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.

——————–
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.
—————————-

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
—————
Connect with Dianne
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com

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

———————-
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.
———————
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
——————–
#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.

—————–

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
—————
Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

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

———————-

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

Masculinity has become one of the most debated topics in modern society.

In this hosts-only episode, we dive into what it means to be a man today and explore the changing expectations placed on men in relationships, careers, families, and society.

Whether you agree or disagree, this is a conversation that affects everyone.

What does masculinity mean to you?

Do you think society is moving in the right direction when it comes to defining manhood?

👇 Let us know in the comments!

#Masculinity #Manhood #ModernMen #Relationships #Podcast #AfricanPodcast #SelfDevelopment #Leadership #mensissues

––Music Credits–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

RIDDIM | Afrobeat Library | Music For Content Creators
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm9_E41jmVA
Creative Commons — Attribution – CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Affiliated YouTube channel | https://www.youtube.com/c/KaseemBada

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Sober Soldiers wr back with another parlay. On this episode, we got into the NBA Finals, recapped some of the events we’ve attended lately, and unpacked the music that’s been soundtracking the year so far. With the year at its halfway mark, we shared some of our favourite releases and verses that stood out the most to us

We also touched on the excitement around upcoming global tournaments, the conversations around the lack of support for Bafana Bafana, and, of course, checked in on what’s happening in the world of sneakers.

Sports, music, culture, and a few unexpected tangents along the way. Tap in

Not only are Caribbean islands picturesque locations for international films, they are ripe for development of a thriving International Film and TV industry based in the Caribbean. Kerri Birch, Co-founder of 13 Degrees North Productions shares why she’s living her dream in an industry with yet few players in the Caribbean with Dianne N Squires on this episode of the Island Woman Podcast. She also shares why it’s important for young people to see Film and TV in the region as an industry for viable careers.
———–

I loved this conversation with Kerri Birch who co-founded Film and TV Production Company 13 Degrees North Productions with her husband Kirk. I knew when the business was a fledgling startup and today Kerri and Kirk can boast of the several international and local productions they’ve put their stamp on including, most recently, a Victoria’s Secret campaign.

We discuss her 20-year journey in the industry and why she is proof that careers in the industry, in the Caribbean are viable. She also shares the tough realities of work in film and TV and underscores why gratitude is her important grounding practice.

How’s Kerri doing on the ambition/wellbeing Island Woman scale. It’s a bit top heavy but she’s working on it.
——

Timestamps & Chapter Descriptions
00:00 – Excerpts: Kerri Birch on viability of Caribbean Film Industry
00:43 – Intro: Island Woman Podcast companion for Caribbean Founders & Kerri Birch Caribbean Film and TV Industry Powerhouse
01:22 – A Slate of Caribbean Productions & The Power of Gratitude
04:13 – Navigating the Regional Film Industry
05:17 – Quiet Leadership and Building Confidence on International Sets
05:47 – Knowing Your Worth: Working with Vogue & Below Deck
08:17 – Navigating Chaotic Production Logistics in Barbados
08:57 – Shifting the Narrative: Film as a Viable Career for Caribbean Youth
10:34 – Telling Our Collective History and Shared Caribbean Experiences
12:43 – The Symbiotic Relationship with Foreign Film Crews
14:37 – Using Inevitable Industry Downtime to Develop Original Content
16:33 – Working with Your Spouse: Setting Healthy Boundaries at Home
19:43 – Scoring Ambition vs. Well-Being on a Scale of 1 to 10
21:08 – Realising a Childhood Dream: Living Big Ambition
23:12 – Facing Burnout: Choosing Future Well-Being Over “Hustle”
25:32 – Teaching the Next Generation of Filmmakers at BCC
26:56 – “Once Upon a Frame”: Paying tribute to Tragically Killed 13-year-old Seanathan Chase, Youth Literacy, and Short Film Adaptation
28:57 – Sponsoring or Donating to “Once Upon a Frame” and Local Tax Incentives
30:35 – Outro

——————-
Get in Touch
The official website (diannesquires.com) is currently offline as we undergo a structural brand rebuild.
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
—————
Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
——————-
Connect with Kerri Birch

IG: @thatbirchgirl
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerribirch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.birch.5/

13 Degrees North:

Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.com
Website: www.13degreesnorthpro.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/13degreesnorthproductions
Instagram: @13degreesnorth

Donate to “Once Upon a Frame” Schools’ Project
Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.com

———————-

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.

#islandwomanpodcast #caribbeanwomeninbusiness #caribbeanpodcast #filmandtv #careersinfilmandTV #caribbeanstories