Sunbeam Chats

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Mygella Akousa aka Ital Momma is a Plant-based Chef. She is an Artist, Dance Choreographer, Dancer, Personal Chef and Founder of Ital Momma. She offers a culinary experience, specializing in Caribbean plant-based food, personal chef services, cooking classes and retreats.

A native of Saint Martin, she resides in Suriname but travels across the Caribbean as a travelling Chef, for her retreats and outdoor cooking experiences.

In this delightful conversation, Mygella talks about her life as a Creative and her first encounter with Ital food and the lifestyle, then her transition from eating meat to plant based eating. 

She talks about how she got the name, why plant-based eating/cooking and the health benefits she has personally experienced. In particular the health and wellness benefits for women and their reproductive health.

Mygella says give yourself grace if you decide to switch to plant-based eating. The reality is that your body has been trained to eat a certain diet for years so going "cold turkey" is not the best way. Small steps,  eliminations and substitutions is the way to go and start. 

ITAL MOMMA talks about the types of food she cooks, which is really Caribbean food in its natural and healthy state, prepared to give nutrients to your body. We talk about her wonderful Social Media pages and website which is full of wholesome, healthy Caribbean food, and how to live a happy healthy life naturally. 

ITAL MOMMA  talks about her services and retreats - the Ultimate Plant-based Wellness Escape, across the Caribbean and generally why living this lifestyle is great for your wellbeing. Plus much more. 

If you desire to eat healthier and go plant-based, this is the conversation for you to help you on this path. 

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Ria Karim is the Founder & CEO of D’ Junction Mobile App, which allows users to track various Mas Carnival bands and view other Entertainment Content on the road in real-time using their mobile devices. She is also an Executive Consultant.

D' Junction was also designed to be a year-round hub for entertainment and activities and features a new platform for search and advertising a wide variety of upcoming events and activities.

In this conversation, Ria shares about her career pivots, life and the making of her Mobile App. She shares about the ideation, development, production, release, marketing and adoption phases.

We discuss some of the challenges female Founders and Tech-entrepreneurs encounter and how they have to learn to navigate that world. For example things like imposter syndrome, wanting to give up, being the chief cook, washer and butler, being the only woman in the room trying to get men and people to see your vision and to invest in your dream. Plus much more.

Ria, talks about the pitches made for Sponsorship and the mindset of Corporate Culture Marketing during the Carnival season; the sometimes lack of innovation and motivation to try new Marketing channels, with most companies preferring to stick to traditional marketing.

We talk about changing careers and transitioning out of the Corporate world. The reality is that women sometimes get an identify crisis. Which means that they must then embrace the new "you" and cultivate self-worth while redefining who they are, if and when they leave the Corporate world, to pursue passion projects.

We discuss reimagining what personal fulfillment is as it relates to work and careers. What gives people joy at that stage of life, as they move towards more purposeful living to offer meaningful contributions to people.

Ria talks about women having to deal with kids, relationships, body image, careers and all of life, it can be a lot. So they must learn to navigate all of this, to curate and cultivate their best life.

This is a conversation like no other, its deep, profound and offers life lessons for women and men, who are on this journey of life and in the pursuit of something more.


Bio
Ria Karim, has a wealth of experience in strategic planning, branding, marketing and communications, organizational growth and development, market development, consumer loyalty and executive management.

She has worked in various sectors including fashion, film, music, entertainment, information technology and manufacturing in private and public organizations in the US and Caribbean.

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Jeunesse Pouchet, is a Food & Nutrition Chef, Blogger and Ayurveda Wellness Lifestyle Practitioner. She is the Founder of The Youthful Vegan, her intent is to promote healthy eating and a overall wellness lifestyle; which fosters a greater consciousness of what we put
into our bodies.

In this conversation, we are seeking the fountain of youth with Youthful Jeunesse, she shares her story of how this path somehow found her and the experiences that led her on this journey.

Jeunesse, talks about diet and exercise and how what we eat affect our overall health. Therefore we must be conscious of what we consume. We discuss a plant-based diet and its impact on our overall wellbeing. For those who desire to walk this path, she gives practical steps to get there.

We discuss her lifestyle blog The Youthful Vegan, she speaks about her wonderful healthy food creations and dishes, plus the importance of using fresh, organic and natural as possible ingredients to prepare meals.

We delve into  Ayurveda the study of life, which takes a  natural approach to all aspects of health and well-being. It is based on the idea that each person has certain life forces (doshas) and everything in the universe is connected. An imbalance in 1 area can affect another.

It is also the traditional Hindu system of medicine (incorporated in Atharva Veda, the last of the four Vedas), which is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing.

As a Ayurveda practitioner and advisor, Jeunesse talks about her approach to the practice and how she helps people to reset, recover and heal depending on their ailment. 

Jeunesse speaks about the importance of exercise like Yoga, breathing and practicing mindfulness, to support and improve our health and wellness. 

We also discuss a day in the life of Jeunesse, that is what she eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner, then she shares some other helpful tips in service of the Ayurveda lifestyle. 

If you are seeking the fountain of youth or generally looking to live a healthier life, then let her help you on this path. Jeunesse's intention is to guide you along this journey of good health, love and compassion. Namaste  

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In the latest episode of the Sunbeam Chats Podcast, I am talking about island life, the second life and living your best life, with Laura Dowrich-Phillips. Laura is the Public Relations Manager of Experience Turks and Caicos.

In this conversation she shares about her career path, transitions, the Arts and Culture of the Caribbean islands and Experience Turks & Caicos.  Laura talks about her passion for telling stories and how her travels across the Caribbean capturing the essence of the islands, has perhaps led her to her current position and path in her life.

We discuss the "Second Life" phenomena and how this career switch, has in fact ushered her into new things. We talk about aging (life after 50) and the changes women face mentally and physically. How it causes us to appreciate life even more, to be bolder, and be conscious with how we spend our time.

As the Public Relations Manager of Experience Turks & Caicos, she spoke about her role and the mission of her company. Laura also spoke about the nudges along the way, which perhaps manifested her new career path and job in Turks and Caicos.

She mentions how she had to lean into her power and past experience/training to be truly confident enough to embrace this career change. Then she gave practical tips for people considering moving to another Country, which are very important before you make that jump.

Laura shared about life on the island, their Tourism focus, and how the island is a favorite among A List Stars like Beyonce, Drake and many others. She talks about the clear blue waters of the beaches within easy access, which are often revered, and is one reason among many, why everyone should experience Turks & Caicos.

This conversation is about the Life of Laura, a woman living life on her on terms. She is moving with the flow and guided by her spirit, purpose and passion. I invite you to listen to her story; which is exciting, refreshing, stirring and inspiring.


Bio
Laura Dowrich-Phillips, was a Journalist for the past 30 years and is also highly skilled in the fields of storytelling, communication, writing, podcasting, digital media and brand building. 

As a proud Caribbean woman, she has always had a passion for tourism which is the lifeblood of so many islands and her aim is to use her skills in brand building to enhance destination Caribbean.

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In the latest episode of the Sunbeam Chats Podcast, we are talking about the value of Research with Tishana Simon. She is a Researcher, Economist and the Founder & CEO of Data Minders Business Research.

Research the Research is what Tishana says. In this informative conversation we talk about her career, passion for research and how this led her to start her own company Data Minders, the aim of which is to provide research that is scientific, and evidence based. 

We talk about why research is necessary, how it can guide leaders to make informed decisions to avoid wasting resources and to streamline their business processes. It can also help entrepreneurs determine if to start a  business within certain sectors, because it can provide information about market size, competitors, target audience and much more.

Tishana talks about the cost and the risks versus the rewards of not  conducting research. There are different types of research, and based on  the business or service, the data already exists. It therefore requires a understanding of how the data can be analyzed to get the information required. 

Tishana shares how her business can support Startups, small businesses and other SMEs by offering customized packages, which can cater to their budget and overall needs.

The ultimate goal of Data Minders, is to help clients achieve their business goals, objectives and mandate. The message is therefore clear, every business at some point should conduct research. 



Data Minders Business Research Company 
 
Tishana Simon is the Lead Researcher and Economist; her passion is Research which fuels her exceptional work at Data Minders Business Research. With a Master's degree in Economics, Tishana Simon has extensive knowledge in the elements of research, writing and data analysis.

Tishana's experience has spanned social development issues, health economics, market research and research for government agencies.  ­Data Minders aims to serve corporate clients, Non-Governmental Organizations and government institutions, by incorporating the many areas of research. 

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Zwede Hewitt is the Co-Founder & CEO of LUHU App (acquired). He is a Strategic Advisor to several companies, and the Strategic Partner Advisor to Kanoo Pays. He is also on the Caribbean Advisory Board for Voltari Electric.

In 2018 he founded the first Caribbean based Fintech to raise Silicon Valley (VC) Venture Capitalist funding, with a successful exit in 2024.

In this intriguing conversation, I chat with the dynamic and forward thinking Zwede, a former Trinidad & Tobago, National 400m champion, 2014 Commonwealth Games medalist and Olympic athlete for Trinidad and Tobago.

He talks about his transition from sports to the world of entrepreneurship, a journey which he has navigated well. Some of which he attributes to the training he received as a high performance athlete, which prepared him physically and mentally to thrive in his current pursuits. 

Zwede, talks about dealing with setbacks and disappointments along the journey, which Entrepreneurs and Founders of Startup will eventually face as they build their businesses, it is par for the course.

He shares the story of his first company LUHU App; how he had to learn about the business and sector and build from the ground up. He had to  understand the technology, the operations, raise capital, form a team and understand everything, to build his Mobile App and Fintech service. Plus the intense work involved in trying to attract investors.

We discuss the world of Acquisitions; selling your company, understanding the investor mentality, choosing the right partners, why "sell" and how this can work in your favor. He discusses how evaluations are sometimes done and what investors look for at various stages of the business, plus much more.

Zwede talks about building a business with an Exit Strategy in mind and what this can look like. How this can be managed and the mindset one must have in this business. 

We discuss Kanoo Pays, the exceptional company and brand. He talks about how they are changing the game of Fintech in the islands, and evolving as a company operating in many sectors. 

He talks about, the future of EV Electronic Vehicles (EV), we discuss his involvement in Voltari Electronic and what the future of EV may look like and the impact on people's lifestyle and the environment. 

In this intriguing conversation, you will hear how this former Olympic athlete made a transition from the world of sports, to entrepreneurship. How with perseverance, passion and preparation he was able to achieve a level of success, and today he continues to build and flip businesses with the heart of a champion.



The Future

Zwede Hewitt, he is currently focused on advancing entrepreneurship development in the Caribbean towards building a sustainable economy. His entrepreneurship superpower is having a keen eye for trends and opportunities and rallying a myriad of resources together towards a common goal.

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Kyle Maloney is a tech-entrepreneur, investor and digital marketer. He is a Co-Founder & Director of Tech Beach Retreat Ltd (TBR), the leading Tech Ecosystem builder in the Caribbean and Latin America. It's aim is to connect people with opportunity through events, education & investment.

In this deeply profound conversation, Kyle Maloney shares about his life, entrepreneurial journey, working and building in the Tech sector  and about the flagship Tech Summit, Tech Beach Retreat. Plus much more.

Kyle talks about his guiding philosophy for business and life. He shares about his faith and purpose driven pursuits, that lead him along the path of life. Which ultimately allow him to lean into the calling to be a change maker, innovator, role model and disruptor at the forefront of the things he is called to do in the earth. 

As an entrepreneur, he talks about having big dreams and believing in your business idea and self, to make your dream a reality.  He says the question one can ask oneself is "If not me then who". With that understanding he says "be brave in your ask" when seeking out investors, partnerships or whatever it maybe. 

We do a deep dive into Tech Beach; the origin, the mission, intent, speakers, community and the carefully curated experience.  Kyle spoke about the high caliber of speakers and presenters at TBR and the attendees, who can seamlessly make connections within the Community. 

He discussed the reason behind the programming and why TBR is "not your average conference", but a retreat crafted to change the lives of people who attend and to build a culture and community like no other. 

We discussed the building of brand TBR. Kyle spoke about the destination experience, strategic partnerships and how each of the TBR Summits in Jamaica, Miami and Saint Thomas, USVI has its own unique experience and intent. 

In this conversation, you will hear about Kyle Maloney; the man, the mission and the movement. He is truly a remarkable human being, sent to make his mark upon the earth, and to enable others to step into their power, to realize their greatest potential.


Bio
Kyle Maloney, in the last decade has co-founded five technology-driven Companies. In the industries of building sustainability, healthy food, local business search, technology business convening, and digital marketing. Kyle's companies have been written about in global
and regional publications like Forbes and Inc. 

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Cherie Williams, is the Founder & CEO of Veekle, a car-sharing service, which gives travelers the opportunity to book their next trip or rent a vehicle via the Veekle Mobile App.

Veekle is the Airbnb for cars. The service connects travelers and owners together in a symbiotic ecosystem; offering a safe and economical alternative to commuting on the island of Jamaica.

In this conversation the dynamic Cherie takes us on her journey to becoming an entrepreneur and founder of this game changing car sharing service in her homeland of Jamaica. She shares what sparked the idea and how her desire to support her Country drove her to develop and design this service.

She speaks about the need for Startups to conduct research in the market to look at the possible gaps, to then determine if the product or service can be a fit. We discuss some of the unique challenges and set backs specific to her service and how they were addressed, so that they can launch.

Cherie talks about the work and training done to understand the Marketing needs for the business. For example the name changes, brand positioning, marketing strategies and the reason why a public launch was necessary to position Veekle as a "Big Brand" and reputable, safe, reliable, innovative alternative "taxi" service in the Country.

We discuss the power of curating the right Startup team, which is very often multi-skilled and connected persons. Cherie talks about the value of networking. She personally attends a lot of events, because in these spaces she can make the right connections to take the business forward.

What of funding? Cherie talks about bootstrapping her business and the need for entrepreneurs to be wise in determining what to invest in with their own finances. She discusses the challenges of raising funds and getting investors, which is often more difficult for women and black women at that.

We discuss the power of connections and the need to network by attending conferences and being a part of Communities like Tech Beach Retreat and others. Plus much more.

Cherie's journey is truly inspiring, she is an inspiration to female founders and entrepreneurs' who are juggling a family and building a business, which she does with grace.

Cherie's journey stands as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams. She is driven to build her business, and she invites us to come along for the ride, as she takes Veekle forward. 


Bio
Cherie Williams has certifications as a New Jersey Certified Public Accountant, an MBA in Finance, and a BS in Accounting, she is highly accomplished in her field. 

Cherie actively mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, inspiring them to pursue their dreams. Her diverse achievements and commitment to making a positive impact, positions her as an inspirational figure in entrepreneurship. 

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Renee De Vinges aka Afro Gypsy is a Yoni Wellness Practitioner, her mission is to educate and empower women to take control of their Reproductive Health.  Renee is elevating our perception, helping and teaching women how to reclaim their health and wellness along their journey, to ensure that they live their best life.

In this very important episode, Afro Gypsy talks about her journey to becoming a Womb Wellness Practitioner. A former teacher who switched careers because of the strong desire to help women deal with their reproductive issues, she is fully committed to her practice and has helped many women across Trinidad and Tobago.

Renee talks about how she treats issues like PCOS, fibroids, fertility issues, sexual function, herbal treatments and your overall lifestyle which aids in your wellness journey. These are some of the areas discussed.  
 

• July is usually fibroids awareness month and she talks about what a treatment plan for fibroids can look like, based on the women's state and size of the fibroids. From womb teas to womb rubs, detox, clay wraps, colon hydrotherapy, diet changes and more. Renee is passionate about helping women heal this condition.  

• September is PCOS month, as such we talk about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)  which is a common hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age. It is a chronic condition and cannot be cured. Therefore Renee is able to help women in this journey to deal with these symptoms which can be improved through lifestyle changes, medications and fertility treatments. 

• Renee explains how her belly binding practice can help mothers after they give birth and other treatments to help the womb. She talks about her Yoni Steam service and how it can aid women treat with various health issues and improve the blood flow and sexual function.  

• We delve into the areas of natural healing with the use of herbs. Renee warns women to do their research when working with practitioners who use herbs for Yoni Steams or other healing treatment. Herbs have different functions and if not used correctly can cause the wrong effect in the body. 

• Perimenopause and menopause, are also a natural path of a women's reproductive life, we discuss the effects on the women's body and how through natural treatments, diet and lifestyle changes women can navigate their way through this life stage.  

• Renee, talks about how diet and issues like stress can affect the overall reproductive health and why it is important to live intentionally to improve the womb wellness. She admonishes women to understand and be very mindful about what they eat because she says that "what you eat directly affects your body and reproductive system" and this will directly affect issues with the womb and overall wellbeing. 

This is a very important conversation for women and Renee who I call the "Womb Whisper" is experienced and knowledgeable about what she does and help women navigate some of the issues with reproductive health. 

Beyond that, she gives helpful tips for women to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So have a listen to this informative conversation, which can change your life.  
 

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Alette Liz Williams is a Communications Consultant and the Founder & CEO of Outright Concepts Ltd. She is also the Marketing and Media Manager for the Award Winning Bocas Lit Fest NGC Bocas Lit Festival and was recently appointed as the President of the National Dance Association of T&T.

In this conversation we talk about her passion for the arts, culture, creative industry and communications, and how she masterfully lives her life,  expertly intertwining her passions to live her best life. 

She takes us on her career journey which started off with her learning the skill of drafting for house and building plans, then a stint in other areas as she switched along the way, before she found her calling in Communications and working with NGOs and other entities in the creative sector. 

We delve into Communications and the various roles within the practice and how each functions differently, but compliments each other. She talks about working with Brand Ambassadors and Influencers and how to help shape their brands based on their target audience and persona. Plus much more. 

We talk about her discovery of the Arts in her youth, Alette is a dancer,  singer and loves all aspects of the Performing Arts. It is this love of the Arts which has opened doors for her to work in the creative sector. 

Alette is the Communications Consultant for the highly acclaimed NGC Bocas Lit Festival, the largest literary festival in the Anglo-Caribbean. She talks about her roles and the vision and amazing work and impact the festival has had in shaping, building and enhancing the Literary space and landscape in T&T and the region. 

As the recently appointed President of the Dance Association of Trinidad & Tobago, we talk about the mandate of the DATT and the renewed focus for the development of Dance in T&T. 

Then we discuss her company Outright Concepts and how her company can help people, businesses and brands across the various sectors in T&T. 

Alette is the ultimate hyphenate and true advocate for the Arts, she uses her skills and training to build brands and business with joy. So have a listen you will be inspired.