Migrating to top-rated destinations such as Canada, the United States, and England is a dream for most people living in the Caribbean and other impoverished countries in the world. We are told that these first-world countries are filled with opportunities, wealth, and freedom. As immigrants, we arrive with big dreams and future goals, such as what we see on TV, media outlets and social media, but it’s not even close to what reality is in these countries. There are two sides to this life, none of which entails glitz, glamor, and a life of luxury. First, let’s jump into being a new immigrant i ..read more

Have you ever dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur or small business owner? If you feel this is an endeavor you want to pursue, the key to this accomplishment is passion, discipline, and your internal drive. How badly you to want to succeed is paramount to becoming a successful entrepreneur or business owner. In this article, I will highlight some of my accomplishments and some of the hardships I endured throughout my journey. It’s important to remember that no two people will have the same experiences. The fundamental question I often get asked is “how did you get into this business”? To be ..read more

Parenting techniques can differ for every parent. Likewise, parenting skills are unique for every child, and can be influenced by cultural backgrounds and even by location. We sometimes question our parenting skills because there is no sure-fire way to know if we are parenting correctly. We often ask ourselves whether we’re on par with what society expects a good parent to represent, including providing love and discipline. Nowadays, everything in life seems to come with a manual.  Thank goodness children don’t come with a manual since all parents would resemble robots, replicating exa ..read more

Marriage is a union between two people who love each other deeply. It’s a transitional event in their lives.  A coming together in marriage is one of the most exciting experiences next to motherhood. Being asked to get married is a life-changing event and long-term commitment. At the tender age of 20, I entered into such a commitment. One evening after work, my future husband got down on one knee and asked me to marry him in the bedroom of our small apartment. I said yes without hesitation because not only did I love him, I was a poor black girl from Grenada marrying a middle-class whit ..read more

How does a little girl who grew up in extreme poverty in Granada become a successful CEO in North America? To understand this achievement, one has to go back in time to my little village and meet a youngster with the faith of a mustard seed. While growing up in my impoverished surroundings, it didn’t matter how much adversity I faced because I believed in myself. I knew the people in my community and some family members were not supportive of me, but I didn’t care about their negative opinion.  I always believed that I was destined for something big and beyond their expectations. The ex ..read more

Whether you’re a believer in guardian angels or a higher being, it’s worth considering that out there in the universe someone has your back. Growing up in Greneda, I was taught the basic knowledge about God in the Catholic Church. In addition, attending Sunday Mass with my family was a mandatory requirement. As I grew into my teen years, I looked forward to going to church because this was the only time I got to see my crush. He never bothered to notice me, but I didn’t care as long as I could look adoringly at his face during the service. The thought of being in the same room with him and i ..read more

One can only achieve success through diligence, perseverance, and hard work. I’ve never met a successful person who displays poor work ethics or reluctance to achieve success without hard work. Without a passion for succeeding and an unwillingness to be industrious, opportunities might pass you by the wayside. Many people might assume that I achieved my position as a CEO because I’m pretty or perhaps lucky. If truth be known, I’m the hardest working woman you will ever meet, and some may even describe me as a workaholic. When working toward achieving my goals, I have no limitations on what I ..read more

LEMON POPPY SEED LOAF: 1 ¾ Cups all-purpose flour 1 Teaspoon baking powder ½ Teaspoon salt ¾ Cup butter, softened at room temperature ¾ Cup sugar 3 Large eggs 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice Zest of 2 lemons 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds ¾ Cup milk LEMON GLAZE (OPTIONAL): 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 1 Cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted 3 Teaspoons milk DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease the bottom and the sides of a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan with melted butter or vegetable oil. Set aside. Sift flou ..read more

INGREDIENTS 2 Cups unsweetened desiccated coconut 1 ½ Cup almond flour 2 Large eggs ½ Cup coconut oil (melted) ½ Cup coconut sugar 1 Teaspoon vanilla essence COOKIES DECORATION 1/3 Cup sliced almonds 1/3 Cup Sweetened desiccated coconut 1 Cup dark milk chocolate chips 1 Cup White chocolate chips 1 Teaspoon sprinkles INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 350F. Lay a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix the coconut, almond flour, eggs, coconut oil, coconut sugar and vanilla.  Mix until all the ingredients come together. Roll into 12 balls, press each bal ..read more

There are days you might feel unmotivated, unsure about yourself or what you want in life. You may find that your passion for something is lacking, and life might seem to have no direction or purpose. However, having a purpose in life is fundamental to one’s goals, productivity, and happiness. It’s not like having a Eureka moment, and you discover what you’re destined to do in the future. Instead, the discovery of your vocation is only accomplished by taking action. It’s unveiled only through trial and error that you can tap into your life’s true purpose. Some endeavors might be simply enjo ..read more