Welcome to Insider Access: The A² Blogspot! This blog brings together young professionals to give you access to the latest insights and advice for a variety of business industries and professional development. There is a Danish proverb, “The strongest among the weak is the one who doesn’t forget his weaknesses.” This statement could not be more applicable to my situation when starting a new business. So there were some steps I had to take to ensure that I not only faced my fears but also turned my weaknesses into strengths. Graphic Designer Charlene Bullard is a certified graphic designer who earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Design. For the past 13 years, she worked with many companies offering quality design solutions sound with an expert level in marketing. Her objective is to complete various genres of design work that hits the mark of an organization’s goal. Whether that work is brand identity design, packaging design or extreme concept design, Miss Bullard is a designer that focuses on all the details that make each project visually appealing and functional. She also provides brand consultation to companies in search of strategies to boost brand recognition/identity. International Business Developer Gravette is a dynamic, results-driven executive with 20+ years of international experience in both investment finance and operational management. She has held various leadership roles as both an emerging markets investor and commercial executive. She currently serves as the Chief Innovator of a new venture facility (Aliv Creates) within the Cable Bahamas Group. She is responsible for launching new digitally the This serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at Aliv Limited, a recently launched (2016) mobile telecommunications and digital lifestyle brand in the Bahamas. She is a founding member of the executive team of the Company and is directly responsible for leading Aliv to achieve 50% market share and $80 million dollars of annual revenue within five years of starting its operations. Prior to her time at Aliv, Gravette had amassed over 15 years of experience working in investment management and emerging market financing. She was a Principal Investment Officer of the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group. In that role, she personally led and closed over US$440 million of debt and equity investments in industries as diverse as commercial real estate, petrochemicals, mining, and cement manufacturing across the African continent, Eastern Europe and Asia. While in this role and based in Washington, DC, Ms. Brown spent 6 years living and working in West Africa. She is an experienced deal originator and negotiator with significant execution experience. She is particularly adept at identifying founders and corporate groups able to drive scalable change in their respective industries and successfully evaluating the factors that determine profitable operational success. As a result, her investments have provided the strategic capital necessary to drive transformational change in the markets in which she has worked. Ms. Brown began her career at JP Morgan Private Bank in New York City. She spent most of her career at JPM Chase based in Geneva, Switzerland where her key responsibilities included leading the design and implementation of an automated portfolio balancing system for the European trading platform, monitoring investment performance, and providing business review updates across the European region. Gravette is a native of the Bahamas. She has B.A degrees in International Relations, French and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania (1998) and a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Columbia Business School at Columbia University (2005). She is fluent in French, an avid scuba diver and an active Rotarian. Story Crafter & Copywriter Behind your brand is an individual with lived experiences, personal achievements and stories, both personal and business.Dawn is the storyteller that shows you how to use your stories to emotionally connect, gain credibility, and increase sales so that you can build the type of business that is a true representation of yourself. Passionate about the intricacies of storytelling, Dawn is a story crafter and copywriter. Financial Accounting and Financial Planning Contact: Financial Vlogger and Podcaster Jeremie “Jay” Johnson is a financial vlogger, podcaster and coach from Nassau Bahamas. Using his knowledge and experience of ten years within the banking and financial sector Jay has made it his mission to make financial literacy and information more accessible and understandable. As the host of “Frontseat Finances” Jay created a finance talk show that covered financial topics ranging from savings and budgeting to investing in the Bahamas and finances in relationships. Continuing on this mission the podcast “Dollars and Sense” was launched alongside Quinton Lightbourne CFP and Carlyle Bethel sparking more financial dialogue and discussing pertinent financial topics in a relaxed digestible manner. Noticing the rise in the number of entrepreneurs and SME’s (Small and medium-sized enterprises) Jay launched another show “Down 2 Business”. Down 2 Business aims to give a platform for these businesses and business owners to highlight themselves and also give pointers and best practices to their peers. Jay has become one of the premier millennial voices in the financial sector bringing a vibrant and light-hearted energy to usually dreaded topics. Contact: Barrister and Attorney-at-Law Nicholas is a Barrister and Attorney-at-Law qualified and admitted to practice in the UK and The Bahamas. He regularly advises on commercial matters across a wide range of issues, along with a broad portfolio of constitutional work in the area of human rights and immigration law. He has been called to the bar for seven years and is one of three founding partners of CML Chambers. Contact: Human Resources Passionate about all things people, Ralpha is a certified Human Resources professional with 8 years of related experience. She currently serves as an Associate Director of Recruitment and is also skilled in the areas of Compensation & Benefits and Training & Development. Additionally, she has studied Labour Relations, Employment Law, and Risk Management. Ralpha holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with Great Distinction from Athabasca University, a Professional in Human Resources International certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute; and is a current MBA candidate at the University of London. She is a member of both the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Bahamas Society for Human Resource Management (BSHRM). Outside of the office, Ralpha extends her passion for people as a committed member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau. Contact: Marketing and Digital Business Strategy Janay Pyfrom-Symonette is a Business Executive, Strategist and Entrepreneur. She holds the FINRA Series 7 License and has played a crucial role in the advancement of technology systems for startup environments, having managed the developments of web applications, trading dashboards, and banking technology. In 2017, Janay and Nkosi Symonette launched Sign Island, a boutique sign printing company with bespoke advertising solutions, and FindrPro, a sales management platform for small business and contractors in 2018. This year, FindrPro will be unveiling its local payroll software for small businesses, called ProPaySoft. Contact: Educator For over a decade, Courtnee Roberts has been in the classroom as an English Language, Social Studies, Journalism and Music teacher. She has previously taught in Kentucky, Abaco, and most recently at Windsor School Old Fort and Albany, with a specialization in middle school education. Courtnee is also a part-time lecturer at the University of The Bahamas´ English Studies Department. Courtnee was a journalist for 10 years starting out as a feature and news reporter, which has honed her love for the written and spoken word. She started Premier Educational Solutions in 2021 with her colleague, Thalia Perez Ginevra, as an alternative option to traditional high school. She holds a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of the Cumberlands, a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Messiah College, and a diploma in Spanish from the CLIC Universidad in Spain. She is a licensed teacher with the Kentucky State Education Board. In her spare time, Roberts enjoys running half marathons, reading, restaurant hopping, and traveling. She is the mother of two active children, a university student, and a high schooler. Contact: Architect and F&B Developer Quinn Russell is a Bahamian-American Architectural Designer, Specialty Coffee Entrepreneur, and Branding Professional specializing in Travel Blogging and Social Media Marketing. Through his blog, @travellersbazaar (www.travellersbazaar.com), Quinn has travelled some 20% of the globe, writing and filming first-person vlogs & blogs on behalf of Hospitality Brands, Governmental Tourism Authorities, and PR-Marketing Agencies. Traveller’s Bazaar Youtube Channel has garnered over 890k views, and each year the blog receives over 25k readers from every continent. Quinn has collaborated with hospitality brands such as the Viceroy Abu Dhabi, L’Hotel du Collectionneur Paris, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Hôtel Benkiraï Saint-Tropez, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, One&Only Dubai, One&Only Palm Jumeirah, Shangri-La Singapore, Grand Hyatt Bali, Hanging Gardens, Ubud, Bali, Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, and more. Quinn has been featured by Travel Noire, Essence Magazine, and Ebony Magazine. Quinn is passionate about the development of architectural space as it relates to the creation of brand story and identity. He is a co-founder of The Bahamas 1st specialty coffeehouse, the #2 ranked TripAdvisor Restaurant in Nassau, Louis & Steen’s New Orleans Coffeehouse. Louis & Steen’s has been featured by Condé Naste Traveller Magazine UK, Beautiful Destinations, American Airlines, The Culture Trip, and American Television Networks: Food Network, Cooking Channel, and HGTV. Quinn serves as the brands Marketing Director, Architectural Designer, and Master Barista. Contact:
Access
Granted
Coming out of the comfort zone: Turn your weakness into strengths in business
Charlene Bullard
Gravette Brown
Dawn Demeritte
Connect with her on LinkedIn and sign up for her newsletter for tips on storytelling and personal branding.
Vernique Henfield
Vernique Henfield is a Certified Public Accountant and Media Correspondent based in Nassau, Bahamas. For nearly a decade, she allowed her purpose and passions to guide her career journey which spans across the Financial Services and Media industries. After navigating the halls of Barry University to attain her Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Vernique gained financial experience in Auditing, Investment Banking, and Client Accounting. She is also a member of the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants and has consulted with small business owners to offer financial solutions. Beyond the Financial Services industry, Vernique has notable experience in Broadcast Media, both television and radio. Her passion for youth development led her to host a series of youth-focused financial literacy sessions. She is also a volunteer Instructor for Junior Achievement Bahamas’ Personal Finance programme. Vernique’s commitment to create an impact and serve others are the driving forces behind her career and community work.
Connect with Vernique on LinkedIn & Instagram: @hellovernique
Website: www.hellovernique.com
Email: contact@hellovernique.com
LinkedIn: Vernique Henfield, CPA
Jeremie “Jay” Johnson
LinkedIn: Jeremie Johnson
Facebook: Frontseatfinancesfsf
Twitter: @jayjohnsonfsf
Instagram: @jayjohnsonfsf / @frontseatfinancesfsf
I.A. Nicholas Mitchell
LinkedIn: I.A. Nicholas Mitchell
Twitter: @ianickmitch
Instagram: @cmlchambers
Ralpha Moxey
Email: ralpha.moxey@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Ralpha I. M. Moxey, PHRi
Janay Pyfrom-Symonette
Janay Pyfrom-Symonette
Co-Founder of Sign Island & FindrPro
Handles:@signisland and @findrpro
www.signisland.com / www.findrpro.com
Courtnee Roberts
Email: croberts@peducationalsolutions.com
Phone: 242-577-8248
Website: www.peducationalsolutions.org
Facebook: Premier Educational Solutions
Instagram: premieredsolutions242
Quinn Russell
Email: quinn@louisandsteens.com
Website:www.louisandsteens.com
Personal Blog:www.travellersbazaar.com
