In this episode as Mervin speaks with Edwina Delamore, the founder of Carib Invest TV. As an entrepreneur, speaker, and project manager, Edwina also holds expertise in Banking, Logistics and Supply Chain, and the Technology Payment Industry. She has over fifteen (15) years of experience and is here to advise you on key aspects of the startup journey for your business venture on this segment of the Creative Monday Discussion, Season 5 Episode 4: “Developing Startups and Uniting the Caribbean Diaspora.”
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Key Points from this Episode/ Take Away
- Edwina and Mervin discussed what the central focus of Carib Invest TV is.
- The importance of giving back to the next generation and paving the way forward is discussed.
- Practical steps when venturing into startups are deliberated.
- Discussed the ability to determine where one is in life and the importance of the current position an individual is in.
- Competence to be able to explore different business avenues to find one which is best suited is discussed.
- Exploring different channels for finance and start-up muse.
- Exploring the “Seasons of Life”.
- Ability to remain relevant in the business sector.
- Variance in the mindset of a young individual versus an established professional is discussed.
- The options and opportunities available to younger generations, as opposed to previous generations, are discussed.
- The ability to be diverse is explored; being bold and different.
- Relearning who you are as an individual along with your capabilities.
- The importance of a good foundation is discussed.
- Stages in life explored.
- Lessons learned in having a business discussed.
- The possibility of laying a foundation for the younger generation and ways in which it is possible are discussed.
- Edwina discussed why she feels the Caribbean region needs to develop a better business mindset.
- The purpose of Carib Invest TV is explored.
- Edwina and Mervin chat about her journey to becoming a businesswoman from the Caribbean region.
- The discussion was held in regards to how the entertainment and tourism sectors are viewed in the Caribbean and their importance.
- Exploring alternative perspectives of how the Caribbean could be viewed by investing in different sectors.
- Edwina spoke of Women’s Empowerment.
- Edwina expressed her beliefs in regards to working experience trumping certificates and degrees.
- A business owner’s ability to groom a company is discussed.
- Taking into consideration a company’s ability to incorporate their employees’ dreams and development is discussed between Edwina and Mervin.
- Caribbean stereotypes are discussed.
- Overcoming Caribbean stereotypes discussed.
- Exploring financial, professional, and company Mindset along with challenges faced.
- Possibility of transferring skills from a tenured individual in a specific field to someone new and inexperienced in the said field.
- The ability to shift to a business mindset is discussed.
- Importance of business exposure.
- Discussed the sustainability of the platforms of the popular business sectors in the Caribbean.
- Importance of partnership/ collaborations.
- How to effectively partner with other businesses/ influencers.
- Knowing businesses that can add value to yours which would not result in rivalry.
- Partnerships versus Competitors.
- Importance of having a mentor was discussed.
- Defined what a “Business Divorce” is.
- Niche, specializing, diverse streams discussed.
- Discussed the transformation of successful international businesses- Amazon and Netflix.
- Importance of specialization.
- Importance of cash flow.
- Discussed the ability to know your weaknesses but focus on strengths.
- The purpose of streaming and its relevance to Carib Invest TV.
- The process of Transitioning into and embracing streaming.
- Limitations of streaming discussed.
- Cultivating your team- especially core members discussed with Mervin.
- The importance of flexibility in the business world is discussed.
- Importance of a team and having the right individuals on board with your company are discussed.
- Reaching maturity of business ventures- exploring succession, future, longevity.
- Edwina shared her views in regards to taking spoken words at face value as opposed to actions.
- Company vision discussed.
- Resiliency within as someone from the Caribbean discussed- as she believes we are a collective as the Caribbean Diaspora and are “one people”.
- Importance of cultural outlook in business and personal life explored.
- Significance in having the ability to maximize and prioritize your time appropriately.
- Understanding the value of time and life.
- Transitions, demands, and keeping up to date in the business world today are discussed.
- Edwina provided Mervin with a brief history of her working history and experience in the commercial banking world.
- Edwina shared her interests in entrepreneurship, finance, investments, and startups.
- Streaming in the Caribbean.
- Existing stock exchanges in the Caribbean were discussed.
- Social Media and its importance in the business sector were conversed on.
- The tourism outlook of the Caribbean was explored.
- Long Term Goals discussed – Edwina shared her wish for Carib Invest TV to eventually become the “Bloomberg” of the Caribbean.
- Failures and delays experienced discussed.
- Importance of having an ambitious team – getting and having the right people on board.
- Consideration of global employment being inclusive in the selection of employees for your company.
- Charity and giving back to the next generation were discussed.
- Key Tips for being an effective leader in today’s business world are discussed.
- Ability to adapt to changes.
- Significance of being an active listener.
- Defining the leadership role and discussing genders assigned to it.
- Leadership styles discussed.
- Edwina shared her view on the standard interview process and how she conducts interviews in her place of work- as well as the dialogues in regards to the importance of the interview portion in employee selection.
- Discussed the ability to sell self versus the ability to actually do the work.
- Old Expectations versus Future Desires.
- Solution Oriented and Growth Mindset discussed.
- Types of employees discussed.
- Knowing the value of your employees and what they bring to the team.
- Young Generation versus Older Generation.
- Phases of Wealth explored.
- Edwina shared what fascinated and surprised her the most in regards to her professional journey.
About Edwina Delamore
Edwina is an ambitious business owner who is deeply rooted in her origins and cultural heritage. As a self–driven leader, Edwina believes strongly in paving the path for future generations as well as encouraging the younger generations to coach their elders on modernity and coping in today’s society. Edwina also focuses on the further development of startup businesses in the Caribbean region, as this is her place of origin. Currently, she is invested in the success and longevity of her business, Carib Invest TV. Her channel focuses on educating its viewers about the journey of startups, practicality in the workplace, the importance of self-motivated employees, and using social media, streaming, etc. to your advantage. In addition to investing in herself and her business, Edwina boasts over fifteen (15) years in the Banking, Logistics and Supply Chain, and Technology Payment Industry. By profession, she is now an accomplished Project Manager, Finance Specialist, Speaker, and Columnist. To add to her long list of accomplishments, she has also attained certifications in the Finance field and attended a course in relation to International and Intercultural Communication.
Providing insight into Edwina’s background, she was born in St. Marteen, but also considers herself as half Bajan and half Aruban, due to her parents’ place of birth. However, she chose to migrate to Europe at the age of twenty (20) and has made a life and family for herself in that region of the world. Throughout the years, her focus remains the same as it relates to assisting in the development of prominent startups in the Caribbean. Her driving passion is for this region of the world to be seen as more than just “sun, sand and sea”, being known for it’s investment opportunities as well. Edwina believes that this can be accomplished, and will be made possible through Carib Invest TV as it becomes a dedicated and informative channel that educates its audience to adapt to a business mindset – ultimately becoming the “Bloomberg” of the Caribbean. Edwina also believes that having an effective and efficient team is one of the most important elements to a successful business, as team members are the individuals who assist in taking your business to the next level and should be treated with such importance and regard.
Monday Night Brain Teasers
“This is the season to sacrifice, this is the season to grind, and this is the season to test it all- try it all!” – Mervin Budram
“Stop blaming the circumstance and start looking for solutions” – Edwina Delamore
“Sometimes you have to conform and know when, but sometimes you just have to be yourself”- Edwina Delamore
“Appreciating your past and excited to go to your future” – Edwina Delamore
“The Caribbean is not just sun, sand and sea” – Edwina Delamore
“Show me what you can do. Don’t bring the problem, bring the solution” – Edwina Delamore
“Don’t make your competitor your partner” – Edwina Delamore.
“Use the money from one success to build the other one” – Edwina Delamore
“You need the right people in the right positions” – Edwina Delamore
“Who you hire, is going to really make or break your company” – Edwina Delamore
“You can’t change some things, sometimes so you just have to forge forward” – Edwina Delamore
“Come to the Caribbean not just for the sun, sand, sea experience but actually come and invest in the Caribbean” – Edwina Delamore
“A lot of people only see the Caribbean as a vacation, there is so much more potential and much more talent that is within our region” – Edwina Delamore
“Leadership does not have a male or female role to play, it’s who we are” – Edwina Delamore
“Too many people want to sell themselves as the great ‘hype’” – Edwina Delamore
“Getting information from the older generation to the younger generation with the younger generation also teaching the older generation how to be useful in such a society” – Edwina Delamore
“Wealth comes and goes in three generations. The first they make it. The second they use it. The third one goes and they have to do it all over again” – Edwina Delamore
