Sunbeam Chats

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Avalon Gomez is a  Brand Manager, Event Marketer, Serial Entrepreneur and the Founder of Avelle Brand Management Co Ltd.  With over 12 years of experience in marketing, entertainment, and event strategy. Through ABM, she specializes in delivering innovative brand strategies, managing impactful project executions, and creating meaningful experiences that connect brands with their audiences.

In this episode of the Podcast, I am chatting with the delightful ultimate multi-hyphenate Bosslady, Avalon Gomez. She talks about her life and shift from finance to "fetes" and everything in between. Avalon was the first female promoter in T&T when she started doing events. After which she found her footing in this space. 

She spoke about stepping out in faith when she left her corporate job to jump into events with Zero regrets. Enduring the discomfort and discovering herself and likes in the early stages, which gave her the realization that she should pursue this path. 

We spoke about making shifts to move into other business areas and projects. Avalon talks about making "hard decisions" when releasing clients and projects that no longer serve you and fit into your ideals and brand. 

Avalon shares about personal branding. She said you have to know who you are, because your personal brand is you. Know your core values, how you want to be perceived and shape your own narrative. Every action should be aligned to your values and brand. 

She says, visibility takes time, building your brand takes time. So you must be consistent, build meaningful connections and relationships in the spaces you operate in.  

We discussed cultural impact in the Arts and Entertainment sector. As a Brand Manager for several artiste and creatives, Avalon has a insider perspective. She cautions us that creatives are human beings just like us, therefore we should perhaps give them more grace and understand the sometimes, onerous demands placed on them. 

She speaks about the creativity that is expressed from them through their concepts and that they are amazing storytellers, which influences more of our culture. 

Avalon works with creatives and artiste to amplify them, so that they can become more visible and extend the lifetime value of their brand. For example  opportunity to get more bookings and extend their brand into other assets; like merch, brand partnerships etc. 

Avalon spoke about what prompted her to start her company Avelle Brand Management, which serves her clients end to end. With design, branding, marketing, management, event execution and consulting among other services. 

EmpowHER , is her passion project and work. Which supports initiatives that uplift women, youth and underprivileged communities. Her desire is to help women feel seen and heard, it helps them by providing the tools and knowledge to be empowered and to thrive. 

Avalon talks about working in a male dominated industry, and how she had to speak up.  She said, we miss opportunities if we are silent, and stresses the importance of women being confident and letting our voice be heard. 

We explore the culture of Caribbean people. Avalon says culture is about people and our values. It's how we engage with each other and the world. It is the heartbeat of every society, it connects us by creating a shared love and experience. Therefore using culture in marketing and branding can also make brands connect more deeply with people, because it speaks to who we are.

Avalon is living her best life building her brand, while engaging in culture and creativity when she works with innovators and disruptors. Which empowers her to go beyond borders and amplify her voice to make her mark in this world. 

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In this episode of the Sunbeam Chats Podcast, I am talking with Matthew Garcia a Senior Marketing Analyst at Eaton Corporation, originally from Trinidad & Tobago and currently residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He holds a Master of Science in Marketing Analytics from American University – Kogod School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Marketing (Hons.) from Argosy University – Los Angeles, CA.

In this conversation class is in session, as we talk about Marketing & Data Analytics. Matthews shares about his transition from life and work in the Caribbean to living in the US, studying Data Analytics and what he does at the dynamic company Eaton Corporation. 

What is Data Analytics? Matthew says "simply put Data Analytics is the process of examining data to find useful insights, trends and patterns." We went on to discuss how it can be used in work and businesses.  

He spoke about data sources, that is where data can be found and its use in business operations. As to how Data Analytics helps, Matthew shares in the following ways: 

• It enables informed decisions, from actionable insights.
• It improves customer service having analyzed the customer journey.  Knowing their behavior and tastes can allow for personalized marketing 
• It gives businesses a competitive advantage. They can respond quicker, adapt to changes and identify new opportunities within the market. 
• Risk Management becomes easier. As it helps identify and protect the company against fraud, which enables the business to become more proactive to mitigate against them.  

We spoke about trends in Data Analytics and how Tech is being integrated. Like LLLMs, machine learning, automation and advance pattern recognitions. Which can all help with scalability. 

The Tech can also work to aggregate the data from many data sources, to provide real time insights for forecasting etc. These trends and others help the work of data analytics become more efficient and drive innovation across industries. 

What is Big Data? Matthew says "it is simply different types of data from various sources, be it structured and unstructured. It speaks to the volume and various types, thereafter it must be prepared, cleaned, and transformed to give information." 

We talk about the need to upskill and be aware of the shifts in the world as it relates to Tech and other advancements. Matthew shares about having transferable skills, soft skills and other competencies. Those you acquired along the way can play an important part and even give you the competitive edge in your future endeavors.  

How can people learn and start incorporating Data Analytics? In the following ways: 

• Identify your goals, what you hope to achieve
• Collect relevant data from various sources. Then clean, prepare and organize the data 
• Choose the right data analytics tools that can fit your budget 
• Choose the right team and start small to get it done. 

He went on to talk about some of the tools like HubSpot, MailChimp and Tableau etc. which can be used based on your business operations to gather data. 

How can we start becoming more data conscious? Matthew said the following: 

• Start small, analyze and act
• Adjust your strategy, monitor and improve 
• Engage in continuous improvement 

Then Matthew shares how people can learn Data Analytics with courses from  Coursera, Udemy, and others. The aim is to keep learning and engage in constant upskilling to stay abreast of what's coming in the future. 

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Tisha Jack is the Founder & CEO of TCJ Management and a Strategic Event
Planner | Strategist and Consultant. She holds a Masters in International Events
Management and is a Certified Virtual Meeting and Event Manager.
With over 16 years of events experience, whether it is a conference, an engaging internal team event, or a strategic event marketing initiative, she thrives on making the seemingly impossible come to life.

In this conversation we talk about Tisha's journey, studies, work in the Tourism industry, Corporate T&T and then her leap of faith to build her own company in the field of Events Management. 

Tisha talks about the early stages of her business; that is defining what services she would offer and why, and how she shaped and built her company. She said that when starting out, your support circle is important, and sometimes they may not even be the persons you knew previously. 

• We chat about doing various events at scale and what is required of professionals in this space. Events are not for the fun of it, she speaks about her company's strategic approach to executing events. Which entails knowing her clients objectives, KPIs and budget. Then she and her team cohesively curates, produces and executes these events for her clients. 
• Tisha talks about how TCJ is uniquely positioned to serve her clients. Her focused and strategic approach to client relations and management to provide them value, is of high priority. Sometimes this may mean being selective about the jobs she chooses and who she works with. 
• We chat about how Tisha has been able to pivot along the way, for example when Covid 19 arose, she delved into online virtual events, which provided tremendous value and ensured that her clients had business continuity. 
• We spoke about what is trending in the Events sector. Which is incorporating wellness and wellness activities. That is finding spaces for people to reset, not packing the calendar or program with lots of activities, so people can take a personal break. Also, the use of AI by speakers in presentations to enhance the experience.  
• Additionally, there are more niche and curated experiences in events, for smaller circles. Which creates the space for networking and communities. She spoke about repurposing event content, post event. The key is to package, promote, repurpose and then promote again, to extend the engagement beyond that one event.  
• What's new with TCJ? Tisha talks about TCJ Events and the TCJ Academy the Edu-Events area of the business. At this stage, Tisha's desire is to be in service and leave a legacy; by training the next generation of Event Planners and Producers. 

Tisha's super power is in play. Her story is one where she took "leaps" of faith, intentional living, fostering innovation and curating her best life. 

In so doing, she is well positioned to make her mark in this space, by leaving her legacy, as she blazes the trail as the Master of Events.  

TCJ Management 

Tisha C. Jack is passionate about transforming event visions into realities, having worked with local and international organizations, across many sectors. TCJ also does in-person seminars, AGMs, and trainings to virtual and hybrid formats, ensuring clients achieved brand awareness and engagement goals across various platforms.

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Dareem Jeffrey, is the Founder & Managing Director of Eco Wash.  Dareem founded Eco Wash to make a difference; it is a revolutionary car care eco-friendly solution, which delivers premium car care using just 2 litres of water; bringing eco-friendly cleaning right to people's doorstep, at home or in their work spaces. 

In this in dept and inspiring story, Dareem talks about life, loss, faith, innovation and the path towards building a sustainable eco-friendly business. He speaks about starting several business along the way, the lessons learnt and how he was able to start his latest venture. Eco Wash offers a sustainable car wash solution that saves water and educates people about the importance of conservation.

We chat about raising capital, finding investors and entering pitch competitions,  Dareem did over 21 to source funding. He spoke about how his ability to raise the profile of the business and brand, make strategic connections and the power of networking when attending conferences and events. 

Dareem discusses how he stayed true to his vision and ethos for the company which meant, declining funding from some Agencies; because it compromised his focus as a social impact enterprise. He spoke passionately about the mission of Eco Wash; which supports the underprivileged and give back to those in need. 

We chatted about building teams and being purpose driven, while becoming profitable. Dareem candidly spoke about his experience as a young black businessman navigating in the sometimes troubled waters. Very often you have to work twice as hard for half the recognize. He said however, if you have your Education and Innovation they cannot be denied, and they can be the great equalizer in this game of business. 

Dareem spoke about scaling Eco Wash. His solution is being welcomed across the world, there are at least eleven (11) locations in six (6) countries and they continue to grow. 

What's next with the Eco Wash? There is a product line on the horizon and expansion in North America and Europe. His mission is to have this solution become ubiquitous. 

Dareem’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of innovation, hard work, and unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

His advice is to go where you are valued. For business, travel the world and explore your options, because your idea and innovation maybe called to the world. Dream Big and then Dream Bigger. 

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Sangeeta Praimsingh is a businesswoman and the Founder of The Last Straw TT . She studied Zoology, Ecology and Environmental Biology at the University of West Indies of Trinidad & Tobago. In this conversation we chat about how she embarked on an entrepreneurial journey to build her brands The Last Straw TT & Eco box TT. 

Sangeeta talks about her passion for environmental causes, and the online viral incident with a sea turtle which sparked the idea to create her bamboo straw and other ecofriendly products. 

We chat about her serendipitous moment in a farmers market, which showed her the "proof of concept" for the straws, after which she diligently pursued how to create them. From sourcing and cutting bamboo, baking and making them, Sangeeta through trial and refinement, created the best bamboo straw option for her brand. 

We talk about how she juggles working in her family business, marriage and building her company and brands. Her advice for eco-entrepreneurs trying to make a difference; is to go for it and pursue your passion for the environment,  because we all play a part to effect change in society. 

We discuss living consciously, Sangeeta says its about taking small steps to  incorporate it into our lives. Her tips are use reusable bags, water bottles, recycle plastics, and be mindful of ways we can make these changes and then put it into practice. 

Sangeeta talks about the Eco-boxTT, which is a curated box of eco-friendly products for persons who want to live more consciously. She encourages us to seek knowledge and educate ourselves about the ills of pollution and find out how we can help save the planet to make the world we live in a better and cleaner place. 

The Last Straw TT 

The Last Straw TT is the first & only manufacturer of bamboo straws in Trinidad & Tobago. It is 100% Natural, Biodegradable and Reusable Straws. The goals is to prevent pollution by implementing environmentally friendly substitutes for plastic. Hence, recreating  the bamboo straw using bamboo grown right here in T&T. 

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This episode of the Sunbeam Chats Podcast, features, Stephanie Winter a Yoga Alliance certified instructor with E-RYT200 certification, and specialized training in Yin and Kemetic Yoga. She is the Founder of Wadadlivity which is a community of people conscious about the benefits of a plant-based diet and Yoga. 

In this conversation, we are chatting  about Yoga, plant-based eating, Afro-Caribbean wellness and lifestyle. Stephanie talks about her journey from life in Canada and a career in Tech, to her transition back to her homeland Antigua and building her Community. 

We talk about her training and certification in Yin and Kemetic Yoga, and the benefits for the body, mind and overall wellness. She discusses Kemetic Yoga; which was developed in the 1970s, and is a system of yoga inspired by Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and practices. Which focuses on physical movements, deep breathing, and meditation to connect with one's higher intelligence and the divine. Which is quite fascinating, really. 

We discuss the perception of Yoga, which is sometimes portrayed or adopted by races other than black people. Which unfortunately makes us miss out on the benefits of this healing practice. 

Highlighting Wellness Wednesday, we talk about the need for people to take time (weekly) to care for themselves, to practice wellness and mindful living. Whatever that may look like for them.  

Stephanie, then talks about the focus of  Wadadlivity, which is the indigenous Amerindian word (WALADLI/WADADLI) name for Antigua. The intention of this Community, is to show appreciation for Afro-Caribbean culture, through the lens of food and movement. 

We discuss food and diet as an integral part of our wellness journey. She encourages us to treat our bodies better and be conscious about what we eat. As such incorporating more plant-based and vegan options in our diet, is advisable. Such as food from the land, more fruits, grains, vegetables; and farm to table eating. 

Stephaine says it is, progress over perfection. That is take your time when starting so it becomes your lifestyle and not a diet or fad. 

We also chat about how Stephanie balances work and her own personal wellness. She schedules, me-time for mental clarity, surrounds herself with friends and family and does things that she loves. For her personal self-care rituals she takes deep tissue massages, facials and indulges in manicures. 

Finally, Stephanie talks about Wadadlivity, and what's on and coming in the Community. Her advice to people who want to get on this wellness path, is to be gracious with yourself, have patience and to try different types of activity to find your place and space to flow in. Namaste

“Yoga takes you into the present moment, the only place where life exists”  -Patanjali

Wadadlivity 

Stephanie Winter is a native of the beautiful island of Antigua, where these experiences are reflected in everything she does. Wadadlivity is committed to improving physical and mental health amongst people of color. 

Their events promote local and regional plant-based cuisine, and are proud to offer an Afro-Caribbean perspective on Wellness.

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Sheldon Scipio is an Entrepreneur and Senior Director at ReboundTAG, the world first microchipped hybrid smart luggage tag and lost property recovery system. ReboundTAG utilizes RFID, NFC, and QR code technology to help finders and owners connect, for the safe return of lost items globally. 

In this interesting conversation, we chat about Sheldon's transition from Corporate to become an entrepreneur, to launch several business and products over the past years. 

He talks about trying to get funding from investors in the Caribbean and the US,  and the approach one must take to get a breakthrough. It would appear that from his experience it can sometimes be easier to get funding outside of the Caribbean. 

Sheldon says, we should have the right mindset when seeking investment. He encourages us to think global, and ask for more, because if you ask for little you will get little, because no investor can get their ROI if they invest little. 

We then chat about the innovative ReboundTAG, and how he and his team were able to bring this product to market. He spoke about the business of "Lost Luggage" citing that there are approximately 25million pieces of luggage lost across the US and Europe. He mentions that there are actually places which sell lost luggage online and in brick and mortar stores.  

We discuss ReboundTAG, which is a solution that helps people track and locate their lost luggage. It will connect the finders smartphone anywhere in the world, then send a email with GPS coordinates to them, so that they can recover the item. Sheldon talks about how the Tag works, across the various systems. In essence it operates within a ecosystem with ReboundTAG, the luggage owner, airports and airlines working together to return the lost luggage to its owner. 

Interestingly, Sheldon says that products can win awards and still not sell in the market. Therefore if someone has a innovative product, they should understand how to sell and promote the product to various audiences. 

We also talk about some of the challenges one may have when marketing a new product; which for him was mainly the people resources. We discuss scaling and the various costs, logistics, production and more, associated with his business and within the market. 

Have a listen to this inspiring conversation with Sheldon, who is going global with  ReboundTAG and making his mark in the world. 

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Allisha Minor-Gaines is a Marriage & Family Therapist and Coach. She is the
Founder & CEO of Allishaz Distractions LLC , with over 21 years of
experience in the field of Psychology & Social Work; including as a Marriage & Family Therapist.

Allisha's services are tailored to her client’s unique needs, aiming to strengthen couples relationships, and to aid women who struggle with dating.  Her mission is to help them achieve mental stability, and foster good relationships and meaningful change.

In this real, revealing and practical conversation, Allisha shares about her career and work, helping and coaching people in relationships. In particular, we focus on Couples and the challenges they face along their journey. 

She talks about some of the distractions and issues which affect couples like; infidelity, co-parenting, caregiving, family interference, communications issues, zoning out and more. 

When asked about the major recurring challenges which affect couples, Allisha mentions infidelity (physical & emotional), Cyber infidelity (those DMs), communications, sex, dealing with finances and mental health issues among others.  

We talk about the major Red flags couples should be aware of. Allisha says that everyone has a "Pattern" of behavior, therefore if they change perhaps you should take note of this. Others are gaslighting, stone walling, bread crumbing (feeding a little but not fully invested), lack of accountability and not taking ownership etc. 

She says that couples in long term relationships, change over the years.  Being mindful of this is important, because the dynamics of the relationship will also change.  Which may cause problems if not addressed, and if both parties do not evolve as well. 

Allisha talks about the deliberate actions required to build a committed relationship. Ultimately, it starts with being intentional and making time and space to make it work.

She indicated that there is also a need for individuals to establish personal boundaries. This can give them the space to be themselves, feed their soul, and evolve. 

We talk about women in relationships and the need for them to practice self-care. Her advice for women is that they should take their time and invest in themselves.  So that they can add value to the relationship, to pour in and also to receive in a  healthy environment.

When choosing a mate, it is important to be intentional; observe them in all their seasons. Watch their interactions, ask the right questions, speak about your morals and boundaries and ask the same of them. 

Allisha indicates that a healthy committed relationship must have trust and honesty. To future proof your relationship, it is important for couples to spend quality time together, keep dating, explore and try new things. Also have your me-time, because if these elements are missing then these can lead to a breakdown. 

Allisha says "for relationships to sail you have to understand why it is anchored. If you don't know this, then the relationship cannot move forward".

I encourage you to listen to this in-depth discussion about love, relationships, couplehood and more; it will help you in your search for the perfect partnership. 

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Dr La Toya Quamina is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Westminster Business School, University of Westminster, London. Teaching and researching on a cross section of areas including consumer behavior, brand management and digital marketing. 

Outside academia, La Toya is the Storyteller behind @thetravellustfam, a platform celebrating family travel, proving that black families are exploring the world and doing it in style. 

In this conversation, La Toya talks about her journey from Trinidad to life in London. She spoke about pursuing her studies, falling in love, making wise life choices along the way, and then relocating to London to start a family and work. 

We talk about her love for Caribbean food (doubles) and culture as a Trini in London. For the diaspora this means a lot, when they can see and experience the Caribbean Artiste like Kes the Band and others. She said that taking part in some of the Carnival activities can feed the soul and reminds them of home. 

Then we delve into her work in communications, marketing and branding. We discuss the influence of consumerism, brand differentiation and personalization.  Also working with Brand Ambassadors, Influencers and Content Creators. La Toya gives insight as to how they can be used effectively, because of their connection with diverse audiences, which can benefit both the companies and brands. Ultimately Marketing is about using the best tools based on your overall brand objectives, budget and business. 

La Toya talks about the policy for the use of AI at her University. The reality is most people are using it and in the future it will become the norm. As such, students are given guard rails for use, in that they are asked to use it responsibly and ethically. 

She talks about digital natives and the adoption of the use of AI for Educators.  Ultimately ChatGpt and other emerging technologies are tools and resources. She often tells her students that they are the experts, when they use the tools they must determine if it is useful in the context for their work. 

La Toya, then talks about her passion project @thetravellustfam  her luxury family travel lifestyle blog which features her family globetrotting. Her intent was to showcase the fact that a black couple and family can enjoy life, travel the world and experience and live a life of luxury. 

We talk about the places she visited like (5 countries in 16 days) and what it is like travelling with kids. Her belief is that if you work hard, you should play just as hard and enjoy life.  

Whether navigating the academic world, travel or the realities of family life, La Toya brings her Caribbean flare and vibrant energy to every space she occupies. From T&T to London to Globetrotting, this Caribbean woman is living her best life. 

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Dr LaToya Quamina's work is published in several leading international peer-reviewed journals like Journal of Business Research, Journal of Advertising Research & Public Relations Review. Her latest research explores AI in Higher Education.

Research Paper 

Oc, Y., Gonsalves, C. and Quamina, L. (2024). Generative AI in Higher Education Assessments: Examining the Impact of Risk and Tech-Savviness on Students’ Adoption. Journal of Marketing Education. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02734753241302459

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Aisha Manrique, is an International Voiceover Actor, Voiceover Coach and Event Host. She is the Founder of Aisha Manrique Media, a production company and Voicey Versa Production training company.  

In this delightful and inspiring conversation, Aisha talks about her passion and pursuit of a career in Voice Communications. From the moment she discovered her voice, to the steps she took along the journey to elevate her skills; to then  jump completely into this world to run her business. 

We talk about the power of one's voice and why it is important for everyone to use their speaking voice to position an establish themselves in their career or business. She gives some tips on how to use your voice effectively to communicate in various spaces. 

Aisha speaks about the business of voicing and running your own company in a "competitive space". She talks about how she was able to book the job as the Caribbean voice for a Disney series. Aisha said it is important for Caribbean people to show up professionally in places and spaces, where we can be found on the global stage, otherwise we miss many opportunities for representation and work. 

She also mentions some of the areas within which a Voice talent can find work using their voice. Which are Commercials, E-Learning, IVRs, Audio Books, Movie Voiceovers, Animations, Video Games etc.  

We talk about the impact of AI and emerging technologies, deep fakes and the use of tech "taking" over the talent of creatives. Her belief is that the true essence of a persons voice cannot be replicated, because technology cannot communicate true emotions. However they do exist and voice talent must find ways to distinguish themselves, be aware of what's coming and to continually innovate. 

We talk about making space for the things you love, when pursuing your passion. That may mean leaving a job, taking courses, making a jump. Whatever it is, it does require having faith, being intentional, planning and then stepping out. 

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Aisha Manrique is a professional member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) in the USA. She has been voicing for brands and businesses across various sectors, and has also voiced 25 Live shows for DISNEY and the Caribbean Music Awards. 

She effectively provides her unique talent for the creative direction and successful execution of numerous projects.  She is also a Script Writer and Keynote Speaker.