On this week’s episode of Carry On Friends, I’m excited to welcome our first mother-daughter duo as guests. Shermira and Karmel both have a melting pot of Caribbean heritage, and we have an interesting conversation about the skills needed to navigate the workplace, how to prepare for new jobs, and networking.We not only learn about mentorship, but also why transitioning to sponsorship is powerful for your career. They share tips on how to prepare to enter new careers or jobs, and how to network with more ease and less anxiety. Connect with:Karmel Alexander- LinkedInShermira Busby Forrester - LinkedInSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

In this episode, I have a captivating conversation with a fellow Black Ambition semi-finalist, Caleb Williams who is making waves in the pharmaceutical industry using his Trinidadian family’s secret remedy. His mission is to help people live happier, healthier, and pain free lives.Caleb shares fascinating stories about the healing plant that brings pain relief, and how he’s built a business around it. He also provides listeners with useful business insights including fundraising for the business.RelieveIt on AmazonSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

I am very excited to have the energetic Ingrid Murray back as this week’s guest. She was a guest on Carry On Friends back in 2020 and her story has continued to inspire so many listeners. As always, Ingrid tells it like it is. In this episode she talks about running her award-winning, seven-figure company and balancing family challenges.Throughout this episode, Ingrid provides many valuable business and life lessons. She also talks about how her “why” has evolved throughout the years. As we wrap up this episode, we learn about her all the things that she has in the works. Connect with Prospect Cleaning: Facebook | Instagram | WebsiteSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

In this episode, Keisha Bailey of Profit Jumpstarter discusses the importance of wealth management and making wealth building understandable and accessible in our communities. Keisha also talks about: The cultural nuances and challenges around money managementWhy first habit to develop in wealth creation is consistency.How we can let our money work for us. Her 50/30/20 budget rule and how to begin investing.Connect with Keisha Bailey & Project Jumpstarter: Website | Youtube | InstagramSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

This week’s episode is an information-packed one with Renee Kendall. Renee is an attorney with Trinidadian roots, and she provides practical advice on how to get our affairs in order through wills, advanced directives and similar legal support.First, Renee tells us what it was like to spend her formative years in Trinidad, then move to America. She talks about having to navigate the nuances of living in America, while being taught Trinidadian values. She also shares her experiences with bullying as a young girl and how she learned to mask her heritage. Renee now runs a legal practice named Caribbean Legal Solutions, that focuses primarily on land, estate and advocacy matters. The goal is to connect Caribbean-Americans, and anyone else outside of the Caribbean, with attorneys that are based in the Caribbean. Because people so often retain connections to their home countries such as land ownership or family relationships, they often need to find reliable, trustworthy attorneys.Connect with Renee Kendall and Caribbean Legal Solutions: Instagram | Website | FacebookSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

Welcome to part 2 of our 2 part listener take over series with Kemoy Kayan, one of our most engaged and active listeners of the Carry On Friends podcast. To mark an incredible milestone 10 year anniversary for Carry On Friends - the website, I wanted to do something special. So I invited Kemoy to join me in the host's chair and interview me on the show. It was truly memorable experience to have Kemoy ask me questions about the adventure creating Carry On Friends and I'm sure you will be just as inspired by her curiosity.Connect with Kemoy: Instagram | Linkedin Support the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

In this episode, I have an exciting guest host: Kemoy Kayan! She has been an engaged and active listener since she discovered the podcast. So to mark this special milestone year for Carry On Friends, I had the pleasure of inviting her to switch places with me and interview me. This is part 1 of a two part series, and I can’t wait to hear what questions she has for me. Tune in for a fun episode where I get to be on the other side of the microphone, answering Kemoy’s thoughtful and insightful questions and learning more about her journey as well.Connect with Kemoy: Instagram | Linkedin Support the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

As we close the curtains on 2022, celebrate the holidays with our nearest and dearest - or remember those who are no longer here, I want to thank you the Carry On Friends Community of Friends.  Thank you for listening and engaging with me, your support means so much!While reflecting on everything that's happened in 2022 thus far, which particular episode stands out most for? What topics should take center stage next season? And what illustrious guests should grace us with their presence during 2023? As always: Let me know!Support the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

Eldonie Mason is an Antiguan-born, lawyer, entrepreneur and award-winning author. In this episode Eldonie & I talk about her first book, The Adventures of Princess Anyah of Antibarba: The Fishing Expedition, and how it embraces Caribbean heritage and features a black princess. In addition to discussing diversity and the need for more Caribbean representation in content and entertainment. Eldonie also gives insights into her career as an entertainment lawyer. Connect with Eldonie:InstagramInstagramThe Adventures of Princess AnyahFacebookSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

In this episode I chat with Grenadian-American, George McCalman, about immigration experiences, racial issues in America and the Caribbean, as well as his new book - Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen.Connect with George - Instagram | Twitter | FacebookSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

Trinidad and Tobago’s Andrew Joseph joins me in this episode to talk about his work in developing the film and television industry throughout the Caribbean and its diaspora. Andrew is a documentary filmmaker, writer, business developer and business analyst.We discuss:The international demand for Caribbean content.Profitability of Caribbean content and Andrew encourages fellow content creators not to wait on funding, but to first invest in themselves. The need for innovation and support when producing Caribbean media. One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation is the need for others to support Caribbean media houses like GT Network and Breadfruit Media in order for us to grow. This is especially important as we compete with major media platforms for visibility.Connect with Andrew: Gtnetworktv.com | YouTube  | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Support the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

In this episode I had an exciting conversation with Johanne Brierre. Johanne, of Haitian descent, is a connector and community builder for small business operations. Johanne’s passion for community building has led to her success in various projects in the Brooklyn area. Her work has contributed to Brooklyn Commons scaling to the coworking space it is today, and its expansion to a new location. She believes that as a Caribbean community we should work together and build together. Her goal is making sure that our people and our culture survive the new real estate spaces in Brooklyn. Her second project, NY Beauty Suites, began during the pandemic. Johanne tells us the story of how her niece inspired this latest venture. Because few real estate developers were willing to invest in the beauty industry at the time, Johanne took a chance by opening up commercial space for them.Johanne and I talk also talked about pursuing your gift and the joy it brings.Connect with Johanne:Brooklyn Commons - InstagramNY Beauty Suites - Instagram | NYbeautysuites.com | hi@nybeautysuites.comSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

Dave Bent, founder of Jamaican Fair Trade was born and raised in Milwaukee to Jamaican parents. In this episode, Dave shares how his cultural background has influenced his entrepreneurship venture. For a long time, Dave had a desire to do something that represented Jamaican culture and bring it to America.  It was a trip to rural Jamaica where his mother grew up that inspired him to bring his dream to reality. He created Jamaica Fair Trade and began exporting Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee straight from Jamaica.Through Jamaican Fair Trade, one of Dave’s goals is to ensure that a significant portion of the export profits goes back into the Jamaican economy. In order to do this, he works directly with small Jamaican farmers. He also wants to expand Jamaican culture through the sale of his products.Connect with Dave: Facebook | Instagram | jamaicanfairtrade.comSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

Hey Community of Friends! In this episode, I share feedback some of you have given me on recent episodes. Second, I am excited to announce the launch of Voice Notes Stories, a new podcast series. Finally, but definitely not least, Carry On Friends and Breadfruit Media recently launched an online fundraiser on ifundwomen.com.  I ask that you support, by donating any amount. Every bit helps, and we are grateful for your support. Thank you for listening!Two asks:Please support the online fundraiserCheck out Voice Note StoriesSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

Kadion Preston is the Jamaican born founder of Caribshopper, an online marketplace for authentic Caribbean-made goods. The mission of Caribshopper is to help manufacturers in the Caribbean scale internationally. In this episode:Kadion talks about his entrepreneurial pursuits in high school and how his mother's sales approach helped him to be fearless, which opened the door for many opportunities for him. Including shadowing the CEO of Yahoo.He also shared his growth to be a CIO at a young age, however the events of 9/11 and the loss of colleagues had a huge impact on him. We discuss the birth, evolution and early challenges of Caribshopper and the importance of mentorship. Connect with Caribshopper & Kadion:Caribshopper WebsiteCaribshopper InstagramKadion InstagramSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

Nelli Patrick, Grenada native, professional makeup artist and beauty expert has overcome considerable odds to build a successful career. As an undocumented immigrant, she has faced more than her fair share of obstacles. But she has never let that stand in her way. Instead, she has used her trials as motivation to pursue her dreams. That's why she shares her story and offers advice to those who are "playing it small." She wants them to see that it is possible to overcome any obstacle if you have faith, truth and purpose. Connect with Nelli - Website | InstagramSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

In this episode, I chat with my her long-time friend, Raxann Chin. Raxann hails from Montego Bay, Jamaica and is a fashion designer, costume designer and stylist. We talk about Raxann's professional journey and how to face tough decisions. Her journey has not been a straight or easy one. Raxann shares with us how she wrestled with tough decisions and career changes throughout the years. After 20 years of working on Wall Street, she left after the 2008 market crash with no exit strategy. She took a leap, availed herself and showed up. And she now encourages us to invest in our dream, be inquisitive enough to find out information and get into spaces.This is how she started her company, Femheka. Femheka is an umbrella company of wardrobe experiences which incorporates three different business lines. Femheka has seen much success throughout the years. Some of Raxann’s most notable work includes working with companies like Coca Cola, the Empire State Building and Disney– with Disney being her biggest contract to date. Her work can also be seen in the Eric Garner documentary film, music videos, at award shows and in Harper’s Bazaar.Connect with Raxann & Femheka:Femheka Website | Raxann Chin Website Instagram | TwitterSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

In the bonus episode, of Carry On Friends we’re doing an episode swap with Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History & Culture featuring the episode "Calypso The Original Caribbean Music". Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History is a Breadfruit Media Produced Podcast hosted by Alexandria Miller.  This episode features Trinidadian Dr. Meagan A. Sylvester who discusses Calypso's evolving history, impact, and representation of Caribbean culture and society. Dr. Sylvester explores Calypso’s origins in slavery, how Trinidad became the center for Calypso over time and the role gender played in this space. Dr. Sylvester also explains how synergies are pivotal to the Calypso expression today. Visit carryonfriends.com to read more.Connect with Dr. Meagan A. Sylvester:  Facebook | TwitterConnect with Strictly Facts -  Instagram | Facebook | TwitterSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

This interview is the perfect capstone to the Flatbush Business Expo Interview Series.  The guest for this episode is Dr. Irish-Bramble. He is an Associate Professor at Medgar Evers College, as well as Executive Director of the Caribbean Research Center. The Caribbean Research Center provides a variety of services including research on topics related to the Caribbean immigrant experience in New York, book and journal publishing, youth internships and sustainable development projects. Dr. Irish-Bramble tells us more about the events that the Caribbean Research Center is planning for various groups within the Caribbean American community. He also explains that the Caribbean American community does not have a central organizing group that can connect the community to other organizations such as the government. Due to this lack of leadership, he believes that we continue to miss out on opportunities such as grant funds for small businesses during the pandemic.We also talk about the need for more youth training programs and youth involvement in community work. Connect with Dr. Irish-Bramble: LinkedInCheck out Caribbean Research CenterSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production

This is part 2 of the Flatbush Business Expo Series. This episode features two entrepreneurs at the Flatbush Business Expo. Shaka McLennon of McLennon Business Management who talks about nonprofit and business grants and business loans.Then Chris of Alphassage, a new luxury massage therapy and wellness brand. Chris shares her journey, the importance of massage therapy and business advice with listeners. Visit carryonfriends.com to read more. Make Connections with:McLennon Business ManagementAlphassageSupport the showConnect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter A Breadfruit Media Production