Gems From Friends

What does it really take to rise from humble beginnings to leading one of Barbados’ most recognized financial brands?

In the Season 7 finale of Gems From Friends, Matthew sits down with Alison Browne-Ellis, CEO of Payce Digital, for an open conversation about the journey behind the title.

Alison shares her story of growing up with a single mother, experiencing financial hardship, being unable to afford the traditional university path, and ultimately building a career that would see her lead the transformation of Cave Shepherd Card into Payce Digital.

But success came with a cost.

She speaks candidly about motherhood, marriage, burnout, imposter syndrome, breaking generational cycles, and experiencing one of the lowest periods of her personal life while simultaneously reaching the peak of her career.

They also explore leadership, financial inclusion, empowering women, her book Life Lessons: A Purpose Driven Leadership Journey, the evolution of Payce Digital, and the role faith and surrender continue to play in her life.

“I was at the peak of my career and at the lowest in my life.”

This is a conversation about what we achieve, what it costs us, and who we become along the way.

Gems From Friends — Season 7 Finale

Powered by Payce Digital, formerly Cave Shepherd Card Services — serving Barbados for over 50 years.

Recorded at Dream Real Studio.

Three years after his first powerful conversation on Gems From Friends, Peter Coppin returns for Part 2 — and this time, the story goes even deeper.

Peter opens up about the reality of building and sustaining his own radio station, the sacrifices entrepreneurship has demanded, caring for his 90-year-old mother, his battle with stress and depression, and a recent early-stage prostate cancer diagnosis.

We also get into the state of Barbadian music, 30 years of Bashment Soca, why local artists need to think beyond Crop Over, the importance of collaboration, and how AI is changing music creation.

But beneath the business, music and accomplishments is a much more personal question: What does Peter Coppin actually want now?

His answer is simple: peace, family and a life worth sharing with someone.

This is a conversation about ambition, faith, health, loneliness, legacy and understanding that success means very little if you lose yourself while chasing it.

Gems From Friends — Peter Coppin: Part 2.

Fewwture sits down with Senator the Hon. Shane Archer, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Youth and Culture, for a candid conversation about leadership, creativity and the future of Barbados.

Shane reflects on his journey through sport, community, entertainment and entrepreneurship before entering government, and how those experiences now influence his approach to leadership.

The conversation goes deeper into the creative economy and youth development — from treating creatives as legitimate professionals and creating opportunities beyond Crop Over, to improving systems, getting creatives paid faster, developing community spaces and preparing young Barbadians for a future shaped by technology and new industries.

Shane also shares his vision for initiatives such as Studio on Wheels and using community centres to bring creative, technical and entrepreneurial opportunities directly to young people.

As Shane puts it: “We can’t be operating in a 1994 model in 2026.”

This episode is about what happens when culture is viewed as more than entertainment — and instead becomes a tool for economic development, community building and creating opportunity.

Gems From Friends is powered by Payce Digital.

Payce Digital, formerly Cave Shepherd Card Services, has been serving Barbados for over 50 years, offering convenient payment solutions, limits up to $10,000, manageable monthly payments, worldwide acceptance and 24/7 account access through the Payce Digital mobile app.

Learn more at paycedigital.com/cards or call 246-539-4444.

More ways to pay. More ways to Payce.

In this episode of Gems From Friends, F’ture sits down with entrepreneur Rashida Hoyte-Hutson, the woman behind Rashida’s Pizza, for an honest conversation about what it really costs to build a business.

Rashida shares how she left her job, took a chance on herself and built her business while raising a family — but she also opens up about the side of entrepreneurship people rarely see.

From staffing challenges and financial pressure to marriage, motherhood, depression, faith and personal sacrifice, this conversation explores what happens when the thing you love begins consuming your life.

Rashida reflects on learning to establish boundaries, becoming more involved in every area of her business, developing herself as a leader and recognizing that building a successful company cannot come at the expense of completely losing herself.

We also hear how her faith and desire to serve others became central to her journey — including how baking and giving cakes to people during one of her lowest seasons unexpectedly helped bring her out of depression.

A vulnerable conversation about entrepreneurship, faith, family, resilience, sacrifice and finding yourself again while building your dream.

This episode is powered by Payce Digital.

Payce Digital, formerly Cave Shepherd Card Services, has been serving the Barbadian community for over 50 years.

With Payce Digital you can enjoy limits up to $10,000, quick turnaround, manageable monthly payments with a low interest rate, worldwide acceptance, 24/7 account access through the mobile app, instant utility bill payments and discounts at Payce Digital Loyalty Partners.

Call 246-539-4444 or visit https://www.paycedigital.com/cards/ to sign up today.

Gems From Friends Season 7 — Powered by Payce Digital.

Everyone sees the performances. Few know the journey.In this episode of Gems From Friends, we sit down with one of Barbados' fastest-rising soca artists, Tionne Hernandez, for one of her most personal conversations to date.From being an incredibly shy little girl known as "Typhoon" to becoming one of the Caribbean's most exciting performers, Tionne opens up about the moments that shaped her.We discuss:• Growing up without her father and how it affected her self-worth.• Being bullied and struggling with confidence.• Leaving music and returning years later.• Corporate life, entrepreneurship and building a personal brand.• Motherhood, postpartum depression and raising her son.• Why perfectionism can become a prison.• The business of being an independent artist.• The future of Barbadian soca.• Faith, healing and learning to give yourself grace.This isn't just a conversation about music.It's a conversation about becoming.If you've ever questioned your worth, struggled to keep going, or wondered if your dream is still possible, this episode is for you.💎 If this conversation encouraged you, subscribe for more stories that inspire growth, purpose and meaningful conversations.This season is powered by Payce Digital https://www.paycedigital.com/cards/#GemsFromFriends #TionneHernandez #Barbados #CropOver #Soca #Entrepreneurship #Motherhood #PersonalGrowth #Podcast

For 20 years, Hypasounds has remained one of Barbados' most recognizable soca artists—but behind the music is a story of discipline, sacrifice, business, and resilience.In this episode of **Gems From Friends**, Matthew Ashby sits down with Damian "Hypasounds" Etienne for one of his most honest conversations yet.From beating drums on school desks to becoming an internationally touring artist, Hypasounds reflects on the journey that built his career, the importance of branding, why consistency beats chasing trends, and what it really takes to survive in the music industry for two decades.The conversation also takes a deeply personal turn as he opens up about the loss of his father, brothers, and niece while still showing up to perform around the world.This isn't just a conversation about soca.It's about purpose, legacy, business, grief, faith, and building something that lasts.💎 In this episode we discuss:• The transition from DJ to international recording artist• Why consistency matters more than viral success• Building a career instead of chasing one hit• The business behind the music• Barbados' creative industry and what's holding it back• Staying relevant for 20 years• Branding, discipline, and entrepreneurship• Processing loss while performing for thousands• Advice for the next generation of Caribbean artistsIf this conversation challenged or inspired you, subscribe and share it with someone building their own dream.Follow Gems From Friends for more conversations with Caribbean leaders, creatives and entrepreneurs.#Hypasounds #CropOver #Barbados #Soca #CaribbeanMusic #Podcast #GemsFromFriends #MatthewAshby #CreativeEconomy #MusicBusiness

In this powerful episode of *Gems From Friends*, Matthew Ashby sits down with Raphael Saul — attorney, entrepreneur, leadership consultant, motivational speaker, husband, father, and man of faith.Many people know Raphael from the stage, but this conversation goes beyond the keynote. Raphael opens up about who he was before the titles, his journey from law into motivational speaking, and what it felt like to build a career in a space many people in Barbados did not see as a “real job.”He speaks honestly about closed doors, depression, identity, faith, marriage, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and the pressure men carry when they feel unable to provide. This episode also explores what young men in Barbados need most, why accountability matters, and how purpose often requires discomfort before greatness.This is a conversation about being built in the dark, staying anchored when life does not make sense, and learning not to settle.Watch the full episode and take in the gems.Topics covered:Purpose and callingFaith and obedienceDepression and mental healthFatherhood and marriageLeaving law for motivational speakingEntrepreneurship in BarbadosYoung men, accountability, and masculinity#GemsFromFriends #RaphaelSaul #BarbadosPodcast #Motivation #Faith #MentalHealth #Entrepreneurship #Purpose #Leadership #CaribbeanStories

In this special roundtable episode of Gems From Friends, we sit down with three respected voices in Caribbean music — DJ Private Ryan, Scratch Master, and Barrie Hype — for a deep, honest, and entertaining conversation about the real work behind the booth.

This is not just a conversation about playing music.

We talk about what it means to move a crowd, how different islands respond to soca and event culture, why DJs must understand timing, sound, teamwork, risk-taking, and cultural responsibility, and how content has changed the way DJs build their brands today.

The conversation also gets personal as the men open up about sacrifice, grief, pressure, the pandemic, family, mental health, and the moments where they still had to show up and perform while carrying real life behind the scenes.

From Barbados to Trinidad, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Miami, Jamaica, Antigua, and the wider Caribbean diaspora, this episode is a masterclass on music, culture, professionalism, and legacy.

DJs are not just selectors.
They are cultural leaders.
They are storytellers.
They are the people who help shape memories.

This is Gems From Friends.

Featuring:
DJ Private Ryan
Scratch Master
Barrie Hype

Hosted by Matthew Ashby

Topics covered:
• The difference between soca and event culture across the islands
• Why Barbados crowds are not easy to play for
• The science of moving a crowd
• How DJs break records and shape culture
• Content creation as a modern DJ
• The difference between talent and professionalism
• The sacrifice behind success
• Mental health, grief, and performing under pressure
• What young DJs and artists need to understand

Subscribe for more conversations with Caribbean creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural leaders.

#GemsFromFriends #DJPrivateRyan #ScratchMaster #BarrieHype #SocaMusic #CaribbeanMusic #Barbados #CaribbeanCulture #DJCulture #MusicBusiness

In this episode of Gems From Friends, I speak with Janelle Skinner, a counseling psychologist and disability advocate whose story challenged me deeply.

Janelle shares what life has been like navigating disability for 26 years, from grief and adjustment, to accessibility, work, faith, family, and purpose. She offers a powerful look into the daily realities many people never stop to consider, while also reminding us that persons with disabilities are not defined by limitation, but by value, creativity, and contribution.

This conversation is honest, eye-opening, and full of perspective.

In this episode, I sit down with Tyrique Wilson, founder of Carrington’s Rum Cream, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, discipline, sacrifice, and legacy.

Tyrique opens up about growing up in Carrington Village, starting out in photography, studying law, and eventually building a brand that carries both family history and personal purpose. We talk about what it means to create value, why story matters in business, and how young entrepreneurs can stay grounded while building for the long term.

This is a powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and building something real.