I was honoured to spend this episode chatting with Antiguan Megan Samuel-Fields, who is a woman on a mission to improve financial wellness for Caribbean people. As a certified public accountant (CPA), Attorney-at-Law, PhD candidate, life coach and the CEO of Samuel-Fields Consulting, her plate is full, and her passion for making every second and every cent count is unmistakable.
This episode continues exploring the essential question: how do we, as Caribbean women, maximise our contribution to regional economic development while protecting our wellbeing? We discuss the real barriers - the knowledge gaps, the tendency to follow only what our parents practised - and the specialised strategy required to move beyond them.
In this conversation, Megan shares her insights on:
The Power of Layering: How combining disciplines (like accounting, law, and finance) has created a powerful, integrated advantage for her as a Caribbean business leader navigating regional and global markets.
Her scores on the Island Woman Ambition/Wellbeing Equation™: A candid discussion on balancing a 9/10 ambition with a sustainable 8/10 wellbeing, and the discipline required to maintain that equilibrium.
The Founder's Foundation: Practical steps and a "survival kit" for Caribbean entrepreneurs seeking growth and resilience in their ventures.
Redefining Financial Health: Moving past traditional definitions to understand financial wellness as a holistic life practice tied to intentional living, not just the balance in your bank account.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Megan Samuel-Fields
01:51 Survival Kit for Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs
06:01 The Role of Samuel Fields Consulting Group
11:55 Passion for Learning and Financial Literacy
17:51 Likkle Byte Ideas: A Family Collaboration
23:49 The Importance of Financial Wellness
29:55 Advice for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
If you are a Caribbean woman who is building something - whether it’s a business, a career, or a legacy, this is a conversation that will empower your next move.
CONNECT & SUPPORT:
Find Megan at:
🌐 www.SamuelFieldsConsulting.com
Facebook: SamuelFields Consulting Group
LinkedIn: Megan Samuel-Fields
If this conversation resonated with you, please like, share it with a friend, and leave a review.
This week on the Island Woman Podcast, I’m thrilled to bring you a powerful conversation with the wonderful Karin Wilson Edmonds, the founder of Bloom, a thriving online wellness membership specifically for women over 40.
Karin, who joins us from Jamaica, perfectly embodies our season's mandate: exploring how Caribbean women can maximise their contribution to regional economic development while protecting their well-being. A former corporate professional and consultant, Karin’s wellness-driven decision to spend less time “hunched over a laptop” set the stage for a massive career pivot over 15 years ago. She became a Yoga/Pilates Teacher and later a Certified Wellness Coach.
In this must-watch episode, we unpack Karin’s journey from the high-pressure corporate and consulting environment to creating a path for a successful Online Wellness Empire.
We discuss:
An Unexpected Opportunity to Scale: How the COVID-19 pandemic catalysed Karin’s business from local to global.
The Intentional Living Mandate: The personal challenges that jump-started her new career in wellness.
The Core Questions: The non-negotiable advice she gives to every Caribbean woman entrepreneur: You must first answer, "What life do you want?" and “What’s your risk tolerance?”
If you are a Caribbean woman founder scaling a business, or simply striving for intentional living, this episode with Karin Wilson Edmonds is for you.
🔗 Connect with Karin Wilson Edmonds
Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @KarinYogaLife
I’m thrilled to share this conversation with a woman who is the absolute embodiment of purpose-driven leadership: Anushka Varsha Sonai.
Anuskha joins us from Suriname, where she is driving digital transformation across the region as the President of Creative Tech Hub Caribbean and the American Chamber of Commerce, Suriname. I have been impressed and inspired by her since we first met, and her accomplishments speak for themselves—from winning the prestigious Anthony Sabga Caribbean Excellence Award to receiving a nomination for the Women in Tech Global Leadership Award.
In this episode, we uncover an essential blueprint for true Caribbean economic development, a plan that must be led by Women, Alliances, Talent, and Technology.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Anushka Varsha Sonai
02:54 The Caribbean Survival Kit for Women Entrepreneurs
07:23 The Role of Women in Shaping the Caribbean's Future
12:38 The Importance of Competence and Ambition
20:41 Anushka's Journey Beyond Leadership
24:45 Balancing Ambition and Well-being
30:18 Creative Tech Hub: A New Business Model
Anushka reveals her unique vision for how women can maximise their contribution to regional economic development while still maintaining a purpose-driven vision for their own wellbeing.
Women as Drivers: Anushka strongly asserts that women are not beneficiaries of development; they are the drivers of economic expansion. She shares compelling data that links the development of women to 30% less poverty in the region.
Talent Retention & Brain Drain: We discuss her core mission to create "better futures" at home to halt the flow of people leaving the Caribbean, ensuring our talent is retained to build sustainable businesses.
Alliances over Division: She shares a unique call to action for Caribbean leaders, emphasising the need to move from "playing the victim card" to "speaking from strength" by actively building powerful alliances and an inclusive private sector ecosystem.
From Consumptive to Productive: Learn how Creative Tech Hub is leveraging technology and workforce development to strategically pivot the region from a consumer-based economy to a productive, digital-first industry.
If you're interested in genuine Caribbean leadership, women in tech, or the strategy behind regional development, this episode is your roadmap.
Creative Tech Hub Caribbean: creativetechhub.online
Connect with Anushka: (Search for Anushka Varsha Sonai on LinkedIn)
🔑 The Blueprint for Caribbean Growth📲 Connect with Anushka & Creative Tech Hub Caribbean
👇 If this episode inspired you to think bigger about Caribbean development, please Like this video, Subscribe to the Island Woman podcast channel, and Share this blueprint with a friend! Let's build a stronger Caribbean together.
Caribbean woman entrepreneur Karen Philip, Founder of Kainos Caribbean Consulting and a respected social development specialist, is my guest on this week’s episode. Karen shares her journey and the mission behind Kainos, which is to help non-governmental organisations "Do Good Better" through better systems, better measurement of impact and better grant writing - otherwise known as strategic capacity building and resource mobilisation in sector jargon. We discuss what it truly means to be a "do-gooder" and entrepreneur in the Caribbean development sector.
The Unsung Leaders: We confront the societal oversight that often undervalues the labour of women leaders in civil society. Karen and I discuss why it’s imperative to reward and invest in the Caribbean Women who are the very potters shaping our communities, recognising that their economic empowerment has a magnificent ripple effect.
📑Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Karen Philip and Her Work
05:20 The Importance of Alignment and Boundaries
07:19 Understanding Social Development and Capacity Building
11:59 Empowering Women in Civil Society
17:48 Balancing Ambition and Well-Being
26:38 Advice for Caribbean Women Founders
💡Takeaways:
Your assignment is determined by your alignment.
If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it.
You need to have boundaries to protect your well-being.
Caribbean voices must be at the forefront of development.
Women in civil society are crucial for economic growth.
It's okay to pause and reassess your goals.
Empowerment has a ripple effect in communities.
Formalizing and valuing invisible labor is essential.
Your network should support your mission and goals.
Consistency means not giving up, even if you pause.
👉🏾This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in Caribbean social impact, economic development, and understanding how women lead with both passion and strategic clarity. Karen highlights the fact that empowered Caribbean Women are the drivers of poverty reduction and community growth.
Connect with Karen Philip & Kainos Caribbean Consulting:
Website: KainosCaribbean.com
LinkedIn: @Karen Philip & @ Kainos Caribbean
Instagram: @kainos.caribbean
YouTube: @KainosCaribbean
If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It helps us bring more beautiful voices to the fore.
🎧 Watch/listen to more episodes of the Island Woman Podcast for stories, insights, and inspiration from Caribbean women shaping culture, business, and community.
On this week’s episode, I chat with my best friend of 30 years, Kim C. Butcher, founder of Okoye by Kim and a powerhouse Caribbean entrepreneur, cultural strategist, and festival producer. We talk about how Kim blends sustainable fashion, cultural storytelling, and entrepreneurship to create impact for Caribbean women.
We explore:
The story behind VEX Money and the Catch Mi Hand Grant – products and programs run through Okoye By Kim that empower women financially and culturally.
Kim’s journey balancing ambition, well-being, and legacy-building.
Insights on Caribbean women in business, creating community, and leaving lasting impact in culture, commerce, and sustainability.
Practical advice for female entrepreneurs navigating challenges while making economic and social impact.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Kim C. Butcher
03:31 Survival Kit for Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs
06:52 Balancing Ambition and Well-Being
09:52 The Drive Behind Kim's Work
12:49 Okoye by Kim: A Lifestyle Brand
15:44 Empowering Women Through Financial Independence
19:00 Advice for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs
21:37 The Impact of Women on Economic Growth
24:43 Conclusion and Contact Information
26:32 Podcast outro.mp4
Whether you’re a Caribbean woman entrepreneur, a culture enthusiast, or looking for inspiration to turn your passion into purpose, this episode is for you.
🔗 Connect with Kim C. Butcher / Okoye by Kim:
Website: okoyebykim.com
Email: kim@okoyebykim.com
LinkedIn: @Kim Butcher
Instagram / Facebook: @OkoyeByKim
Tel: 1 (246) 266-0779
🎧 Listen to more episodes of the Island Woman Podcast for stories, insights, and inspiration from Caribbean women shaping culture, business, and community.
https://open.spotify.com/show/2vFmKHhnGz1BNVwrh2MQMY
This season on the Island Woman podcast, I’m talking to Caribbean women founders, industry experts and thought leaders about how we can make maximum economic impact and protect our health and wellbeing.
Joining me in the season premiere is Tanja Gittens, chartered accountant, global nomad, budget guru and author of the book “Living Loud on a Budget: Authentic Financial Living”. Tanja has officially retired from the corporate world to build the Living Loud on a Budget™ brand. She talks candidly about:
➡️Why guts and gumption, not qualifications or experience, form the number #1 power package for Caribbean Women entrepreneurs
➡️How she took the unconventional nomad path while being a practising chartered accountant
➡️ Financial wellness, health and healing trauma to live out loud
➡️ Merging personal experiences, beliefs and professional skills to build a brand
➡️ The scale of her level of ambition and personal well-being
➡️ Prioritising health and wellbeing on the career path
➡️ Living out loud
➡️ Her advice for other Caribbean founders (having an emergency fund and more)
00:00 Empowering Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs
02:33 The Importance of Guts and Gumption
04:59 Breaking the Mould of Traditional Accounting
09:30 Choosing the Unconventional Path
14:52 Building a Brand: Living Loud on a Budget™
19:30 Understanding Emotional Spending and Cultural Influences
24:45 Balancing Ambition and Well-Being
27:35 Advice for Aspiring Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs
32:03 Defining Living Out Loud
35:30 Final notes
36:10 Podcast outro
We’ve reached the end of Season 2 of the Island Woman Podcast, and what a season it’s been. From the cultural power of breadfruit and the structure behind successful side hustles, to the surprising ways Caribbean women are shaping wellness and wealth, this season has been a celebration of our stories, our brilliance, and our potential.
In this final episode, I share 5 of my favourite moments from across the season and put out a call to Caribbean women founders, leaders, and experts to join the conversation in Season 3.
---
Season 3: Your Voice Is NeededWe’re dedicating the next season to the women shaping the future of the Caribbean: founders, innovators, culture shifters, and experts building solutions from the ground up.
👉🏽 Are you one of them, or do you know someone who is?
Email diannensquires@diannensquires.com with a short bio and links to your/their work.
Are you a Caribbean woman expert, founder, or creative ready to be more visible without the overwhelm? This episode is your roadmap to strategic visibility that builds credibility, authority, and high-value opportunities.
We explore what really counts when it comes to visibility: focusing on 2–3 core pillars that define what you want to be known for. Learn how thought leadership can amplify your authority, differentiate your business, and attract the right opportunities over time.
Why Visibility Matters:
Visibility is more than showing up; it’s a deliberate strategy to grow influence, establish trust, and expand your impact. If you’ve been wondering whether increased visibility is worth it, this episode offers clarity and actionable insights.
Go From Invisible To In-Demand With The Rooted And Ready Programme:
If you’re ready to start your visibility journey with guidance tailored to your expertise and goals, the Rooted & Ready 1:1 coaching programme is here to help.
👉🏾Email diannensquires@diannensquires.com with the subject line: Tell Me About Rooted and Ready to learn more.
Is it possible to be penalised for being successful? And does it happen more often to women? In this episode, I explore the “success penalty”, when achievements that should open doors end up creating backlash, especially for Caribbean women leaders.
We discuss research on intentional invisibility, real-life experiences of female leaders, and how to navigate these challenges without shrinking yourself.
If you’re a founder, expert, or creative ready to be visible with courage and clarity, this episode is for you.
Learn more about Rooted & Ready: Email me at diannensquires@diannensquires.com with the subject line Tell Me About Rooted and Ready.
#IslandWomanPodcast #CaribbeanWomenEntrepreneurs #Leadership #VisibilityMatters #HolisticWealth
What does it take to market women’s health and wellness in the Caribbean? My guest, Mialisa Garnes, has built a niche agency that bridges the gap between women looking for care and the professionals providing it. From her own journey into motherhood, she saw how little awareness there was around issues like midlife health and postnatal care, and she decided to do something about it. In this episode, we talk about choosing a niche, building trust in a sensitive sector, and the hard truths about how Caribbean women put ourselves last when it comes to our health and wellness.
From solopreneur to enterprise — how do we as Caribbean women entrepreneurs make the leap from side hustle to sustainable business?
In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I’m joined by Shauna Marshall, MSME development strategist and founder of SMB Consulting. We talk about what it really takes to scale our businesses with intention, structure, and vision.
We also dive into the cultural challenges Caribbean women face around sales, visibility, and leadership — and how embracing these areas can transform a “small business” into a lasting legacy.
If you’re a Caribbean woman entrepreneur looking to grow beyond survival mode into holistic wealth and intentional living, this conversation is for you.
What if building your business was more like training for the Olympics? 🏃🏽♀️
In this episode, I explore how Caribbean entrepreneurs can learn from elite athletes, their systems, discipline, and mindset, to build businesses that last.
What can Caribbean entrepreneurs learn from the discipline, mindset, and systems of world-class athletes? In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I explore how champions like Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Julien Alfred train, recover, and maintain excellence — and how those lessons translate into building sustainable, successful businesses in the Caribbean. 🏃🏽♀️
We cover:
The system of success behind elite athletes and how it applies to entrepreneurship
Reframing setbacks as part of the long arc of growth
Building a culture of discipline, resilience, and excellence in your business
Caribbean-specific insights on mentorship, support systems, and enterprise-building
If you’re a Caribbean entrepreneur, freelancer, or anyone navigating the challenge of building your own enterprise, this episode offers practical inspiration and actionable ideas to help you run your business like a champion.
What does it take to make your vision real? In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I share how my own vision took shape, why imagination is powerful, and what really matters when it comes to turning a dream into reality.
You’ll hear about the daily video diary practice that gave me clarity, how reflection shaped my Rooted & Ready programme, and why compounded action — the small steps done consistently — is the most important key to living the life you imagine.
✨ Inside this episode:
How to use imagination to shape your vision
The daily practice that rooted me in clarity and growth
Why compounded action matters more than one-time breakthroughs
A personal story about lessons in persistence and consistency
How to move beyond “what could be” into what is
If you’re a woman in leadership ready to embody your voice, presence, and power without overwhelm, explore the Rooted & Ready 3-month 1:1 programme. Email me at diannensquires@diannensquires.com for details.
🌴 The Island Woman Podcast is about cultural clarity, holistic wealth, and intentional living — rooted in the Caribbean, with a voice for the world.
Share your thoughts: Is having a vision important to you? How do you keep moving toward it?
Not everyone will choose you — whether it’s for a project, a friendship, or a role in their life. But that doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of being chosen.
In this episode, I share why choosing yourself matters, what it really looks like, and 3 small but powerful ways I’m practising it right now.
From the crowded buses of my teen years in Barbados to the lessons I’ve learned about podcasting, boundaries, and vision-setting, I explore how following your inner compass creates the space to breathe, grow, and excel.
If you’re ready to stop waiting for validation and start walking your unique path, this episode is for you.
✨ In this episode:
Why “choosing yourself” isn’t selfish, it’s sustainable
How a clear vision helps guide your decisions
3 daily practices to honour your own time and energy
A story of how not choosing myself once stalled my growth — and what I’m doing differently now
🌺 The Island Woman Podcast celebrates Caribbean women, Caribbean stories, and the pursuit of holistic wealth, rest and renewal, and intentional living.
📌 Share this episode with a friend who needs the reminder: choosing yourself is the first step toward freedom.
Caribbean realities are complex, from high youth unemployment to the rise of informal work, gender inequality, and climate threats. But alongside the challenges, there’s a deep well of hope, ingenuity, and resourcefulness we can tap into.In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I explore how we as Caribbean people can manage distractions, stay focused, and hold onto what’s real. Drawing on insights from the Caribbean Development Bank’s Labour Market Differentials in the Caribbean study, we’ll look at three truths that can keep us grounded: 1️⃣ The power of sharing and community: from backyard produce to collective entrepreneurship. 2️⃣ Turning off the noise: and protecting your mental space in a hyper-connected world. 3️⃣ Caribbean ingenuity: the traditional practices and mindset shifts that can fuel sustainable living and a stronger future.If you care about Caribbean resilience, sustainable living, and economic empowerment, this conversation will inspire you to see possibilities beyond the “doom and gloom.”
Are you over 35 and starting to feel niggles in joints you forgot you had? For me, it’s the ‘phantom pains’, the ones you can’t link to anything you did. If that’s you too, we’re not alone.
In the Caribbean, joint-related issues linked to NCDs and more sedentary lifestyles are showing up earlier and more often than we think. In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I’m joined again by Nutritionist Carla Ramsay.
She talks about 3 essential things you can start doing today to protect your joints and preserve your mobility as you age. From anti-inflammatory foods to muscle support and sunshine, this is a must-listen for every Caribbean woman who wants to move freely and live fully.
And tell your younger friends that nutritionist Carla says, “Don’t wait, start showing your joints some love from now. They’ll thank you as you age.”
👣 Whether you're already feeling joint pain or just trying to prevent it, this episode will help you take grounded, powerful steps toward long-term health.
Welcome to Season 2 of the Island Woman Podcast! We kick off with the first episode in a three-part health and wellness series. I’m joined by seasoned nutritionist
in Barbados’ National Nutrition Centre, Carla Ramsay, to explore the incredible benefits of one of the Caribbean’s most treasured staples — breadfruit.
Why does breadfruit belong on every island plate?
From its affordable, versatile nature to its rich nutritional profile, breadfruit offers a powerful alternative to more processed foods and expensive imports.
It’s a powerful food in the fight against non-communicable diseases, like high blood pressure and diabetes, major concerns across the Caribbean region.
We discuss practical ways to prepare, store, and enjoy breadfruit dishes that honour our heritage and support healthier living.
This conversation is packed with insights to inspire your next island meal.
🌿 Join our Island Woman podcast family as we explore what it means to live a BIG and simple life.
In this season finale, I reflect on the idea of courage and what it really took to leave corporate, pursue dance, raise a child while studying abroad, and carve out a life that’s both big and simple.
Is this way of life brave… or just bold and naive?
I share what “big and simple” means to me and why it’s not small, broke, or boring. It’s my personal manifesto for living well without the overwhelm.
Thanks for walking with me this season. Season 2 is coming soon.
Welcome to the final episode of the Clarity Series on the Island Woman Podcast, a space for Caribbean women who, like me, are rethinking success and ready to move with intention.
In this episode, “Clarity in Action: A Success Blueprint for Caribbean Women Over 40,” I’m exploring how to turn your clear vision into bold, grounded decisions without burnout, hustle, or upending your life.
Whether you're a seasoned expert, an emerging leader, or a purpose-driven creative, this episode will help you:
✅ Move toward your redefined vision of success
✅ Align your time, energy, and money with your vision
✅ Recognize and act on opportunities with confidence
✅ Let your Caribbean cultural values guide your leadership and voice
This episode is especially for Caribbean women who want more visibility, financial freedom, and ownership of their time without starting from scratch.
Ready to move from clarity to action with support?Explore the Clarity & Visibility Package — a 1:1 experience to help you define your vision, refine your message, and show up with cultural confidence. 📅 Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/diannensquires/discovery-call
🎨Clarity Series Sponsor: Made Alive Design & Co.
For intentional visuals and video editing that bring your message to life.
Contact them:
Instagram: @madealive.design;
Email: akeem@madealive.me
Other Episodes in the Clarity Series:
EP. 9 - Career Fog to Focus: 4 Clarity Anchors for Women Redefining Success
EP. 10 - Speak Clearly About Your Work Without Being a Showoff
#IslandWomanPodcast #CaribbeanWomen #RethinkSuccess #VisionToAction #ClarityAndVisibility #IslandWomanEthos #CaribbeanVoices #CulturalConfidence #DianneSquires
Do you want more opportunities to do what you’re great at, but feel awkward talking about your work? You're not alone. In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I share how women, especially Caribbean women can show up and speak clearly about their work without feeling like a showoff.
You’ll explore:
✅ Why clarity is the first step to meaningful visibility
✅ How to speak about your value without self-promotion that feels icky
✅ Cultural nuances that make visibility more complex (and more powerful)
✅ Three core tips to get grounded in how to speak clearly about your work.
Whether you’re pivoting your career, building a consulting business, or just ready to be seen, this is your invitation to do it in a way that’s clear, honest, and aligned with your values.
🔗 Mentioned in the Episode:
Clarity & Visibility Package — a 1:1 strategy experience by Island Woman Media & Messaging
Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/diannensquires/discovery-call
🌴 Connect with Dianne: linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132
Sponsored by: Made Alive Design & Co. Motion graphics and podcast video editing for creators who want to show up beautifully.
Contact: akeem@madealive.me;
Instagram: @madealive.design