Tune into Yourself

In this episode, I chat with you about using your uniqueness to get ahead. If you are looking for a new job or seeking to advance your career taking the time to do a self-inventory where you define what is important to you in seven key areas can make the world of difference.

Richard Bolles in his book What color is your Parachute popularized the self-inventory flower exercise. Upon completion of this exercise,  you gain information and insight about yourself. Your one-page guide provides direction and clarity as you navigate your career and life journey.

In this episode, Maxine Franklin founder of Mange Douce shares her entrepreneurial story. From how she gained her first catering customer via word of mouth without having a registered business to starting her restaurant Douce on the Hill, having to put it on hold due to COVID 19, and then starting another business Morning Star deli in the midst of the pandemic. 

Maxine shares the role that optimism, quick thinking and a never say die attitude contributes to her success.  Having a supportive network and prayer are also key factors.

She encourages young persons to take advantage of free courses available as they seek to discover a way forward to achieve their dreams. Persistence is a must!

This is part 2 of the interview with Rhona Edwards. In this podcast, she shares her baptism of fire into online teaching. How in a matter of days a shift had to be made from in-person classes to online as the first COVID lockdown was initiated.

She shares the highs, the lows, and how she made it through year one and is proceeding in year two with the lockdown still in place for most aspects of school life in Trinidad and Tobago.

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Rhona Edwards has been teaching Physics for 25 years.  She started at CUC Secondary School in 1996 and moved to Queen's Royal College, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in 2001.  She recently became the Acting Head of the Department of Science.

She has been marking CAPE (advanced level) Physics for some time and has been the Examination Assistant to the Chief for the past 3 years. She started marking papers to better understand what the examiners wanted so that she could better prepare her pupils.

She is passionate about empowering young people and education. This episode shares the important role that teachers play in the holistic development of students and discusses the concept of the hidden curriculum.  Rhona also explores how she was able to come to terms with loving her profession in a world where the value of teachers is often unappreciated.

Her qualifications include a  BSc. Physics, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Masters of Education in Educational Measurement.

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In this excerpt Franz highlights two tips to building a network. These tips as simple as they are are sometimes overlooked: 1) Know yourself so that you can know what you have to offer and 2) always think about who and how you can collaborate with someone so that you can have a greater impact.


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Chelsea-Marie Spence is an Exercise Physiologist. She studied at Barry University in Florida and obtained her certification through the American College of Sports Medicine. Currently she is employed at Total Rehabilitation Centre Ltd., in Trinidad and Tobago and also treats clients privately.

In this episode Chelsea shares with us how through a football injury she learned about the field of physiotherapy and then later on in her studies about exercise physiology. She talks about the importance to everyone of adopting the mantra "Keep moving" through exercise to improve quality of life.

Some of the tips she shares are as follows: find at least 10 minutes each day to move your body, schedule that time for yourself and keep the appointment, be patient and check in with yourself so that you are aware of what is going on with you.

Chelsea also chats about the importance of being able to think quickly on your feet so that adjustments can be made to a client's exercise program, having patience with clients and checking in with them to ensure that things are proceeding as planned.

You can follow Chelsea on Instagram @morph.your_wellbeing.

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Philip Colthrust has been providing professional web development services for twenty years. He is an Economist by training and worked as such at the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago for seven years.

In this episode shares with us his journey to becoming a successful Digital Entrepreneur. He was inspired by  motivational speaker Dennis Kimbro to do something more with his life and follow his passion. This led to him leaving a secure position to enter the then new field of web development. He was able to forge a name for himself in the finance sector through his company Sightfactory Ltd.

He later co-founded Destination T&T an online company which showcases the treasure that is Trinidad and Tobago to the world. As an introvert by nature he has had to shift out of his comfort zone and be more interactive to win new clients and maintain a viable business.

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Kristen Salandy HR professional and entrepreneur discusses the importance of having multiple income streams.

After completing her degree she believed that she would get a good job and life would be wonderful. However, with baby in hand and divorced she returned to Tobago to seek a fresh start. She learned a skilled and opened Beaute Lash  and Brow Studio. She later landed a job in Human resources.

Kristen discusses the importance of having a supportive family circle on her journey and being willing to listen. She cautions against believing in social media hype with all the pictures of happy people and share that while the journey is difficult it is worth it.

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In this episode Franz George who hails from Diamond in St. Vincent and the Grenadines shares with us his journey.

From a young age Franz wanted to impact the lives of others. He realised that to do this effectively he needed to collaborate. He identifies himself as a leader and shows how  his early and later school years helped him forge a path forward.

Along the way he  had to make choices which spoke to his values and which in some instances meant self-sacrifice for the greater good. He also gives us some tips to build our own networks so that we can be more impactful.

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Zoe Hagley, Communications Consultant, University Educator and Community volunteer shares with us her journey to becoming an entrepreneur.

She started her business because she noticed a space in the market. Many NGOs were busy doing good work but did not have time to talk about the work and impact that they were making.

Because of her passion for communications and development in the Caribbean she launched her consultancy Coalesce Consulting in 2019  - a communications consultancy with a focus on Caribbean development. Her client portfolio includes the World Food Programme of the United Nations, Hubbard's Grenada Ltd and the European Union to name a few.

Her commitment to putting in the hard work required and striving to meet and exceed her customers' expectations has led to referrals which continues to grow her business. She also discusses the common thread in all the activities that she  is involved in; serving others. Zoe sees this as an important characteristic in not only helping people but in getting to know one's self.

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