Avoid the Shirley Street area by The AutoMall if possible. An accident in front of the car dealership that has brought traffic to a virtual standstill.

Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis made some insightful remarks on the Odyssey of the Seas Bahamas' Celebration following a splendid opening performance by the Royal Caribbean Two70 dancers and encouraging words from the ship, Odyssey of the Seas' godmother, Bahamian Disability Inclusion Consultant, Erin Brown.

The day's event that ended with a rhythmic Junkanoo rush-out by the Music Makers was all about commemorating the special relationship that Royal Caribbean International has had with the country of the Bahamas, spanning over the period of several decades.

By: Jhanae Winter

Years ago Latoya Deveaux-Wallace was unemployed and couldn’t find a job, so she created her own and now she is the owner of Soo Chicboutique, an online clothing store for women.

As of now the boutique caters to women sizes ranging from small to extra large, but their intent is to expand to plus sizes for women, men’s clothing and accessories. 

Latoya said her vision for the business is “to sell affordable and stylish clothing without paying an arm and a leg. Everyone wants to look good but doesn't want to spend a lot doing so,” Latoya said.

With six years in business, Soo Chicboutique was established because people would ask her where she bought her clothes, and from that, she decided to sell clothes herself. 

Soo Chicboutique was first used to support her financially because she did not have a full time job, now it has turned into a side business and another form of income. 

“I started Soo Chicboutique when I was unemployed and was not able to find a full time job. People normally ask me where I got my clothing from so I decided to start selling clothing since I was not able to find a job,” she said.

Now with a full time job, Latoya admits juggling the two is a lot of work. 

“Having a 9-5 job would get a bit challenging sometimes when I have to deliver before work, on a lunch break and after work. One of the biggest challenges was trying not to mix my 9-5 with my side job, so my side job started after my 9-5 and I went hard on the weekends with deliveries,” she said.

But with each challenge comes great success and success is the perfect word to describe Latoya’s Soo Chicboutique.

She said, each year her business has grown with more customers visiting their online store because of referrals. As a result she is able to meet a variety of people with different backgrounds shopping with her, becoming regular customers and with others building relationships. 

“In this business, my biggest supporters were always strangers other than my spouse, parents, siblings and close friends. You have people sharing your page without asking, rooting for you and encouraging you without you noticing,” Latoya told Bahamaslocal.com.

This is why negativity does not “phase me”, she said. Instead she uses any stone thrown at her, to build her business further to achieve the success she wants. 

Looking at the amount of clothing boutiques in The Bahamas in recent years, Soo ChicBoutique is one of the many available in Nassau. But Latoya does not view it as competition. 

“I look at it as there is enough money out there for everyone to make and everyone has their own clientele. Sometimes I don't have a particular item and I will refer to another girl boss that is selling clothing. We can all eat so why be greedy,” she said.

With this mindset it is no surprise that the quote she abides by is “chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.”

Business oriented and success driven, Latoya is intentional about her business. She believes everyone has to start somewhere to achieve the goals they want and doesn’t mind naysayers.

“I was always told that I need a 9-5 and a sure pay. It was like, people do not think that you can be self-employed unless it is a multi-million dollar business. Those people started off the same way I did now look at them,” she said.

Letting nothing stop her, she bounced back after the first wave of the pandemic which affected her business significantly.

The lockdowns and restrictions administered by the competent authority caused her business a big loss but also proved to be a blessing. 

“Sales were down tremendously. I had a few people who still shopped during the first part but not much to talk about. But after we came off lockdown, my phone began to ping off a whole lot. During lockdown it gave me a chance to find and to think of new ideas on how to do things and go about my business”, Latoya explained.

Through it all Latoya still has plans to move forward with her business goals. Along with expanding on sizes and including men’s fashion, she also wants to open her first storefront. 

Although she loves what she does, “being your own boss is not for the weak”, Latoya exclaimed. The ability to set one’s own pace and move at one’s own leisure are the easier aspects she recalled. 

“But the hard aspect of it is sometimes you make money and sometimes you don't. Sometimes you're not able to pay yourself, but that's where pushing and working hard kicks in. If you don't work, you don't make money. Some days you want to give up but you cannot get discouraged. Continue to push and think of different ways to do things that would make your business better,” she said. 

Her word of advice to all millennials with intent to be a business owner is to simply start, that's the first step. The second step is to build business relationships with other millennial owners to learn from and who can support the business’ vision. 

To connect with Latoya on Facebook at Soo Chicboutique and on Instagram @soo_chicboutique

Soo Chicboutique, Fashion is the clothing, style is what you do with it

By: Jhanae Winter 

To date, Bernique Pople, owner of Taste Da Flava, is the youngest Bahamian ice cream maker who focuses on original and authentic flavors. Mixing things up, Taste Da Flavor not only offers traditional flavors such as vanilla and chocolate but also Soursop and Guinness.

This brand of ice cream is like no other, using unique family recipes, Taste Da Flava is able to tantalize taste buds through delicious homemade ice cream and create memorable customer service experiences.

“I started the business because of my furloughed employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I decided to create a family tradition into a livelihood while ensuring that my grandmother’s legacy lives on,” Bernique said. 

From her grandmother’s family dessert to a profitable business, Bernique is on a mission to make this local authentic Bahamian homemade ice cream business an elitist brand.

Besides being a business owner, Bernique is a full time employee and student and had to work on finding a balance between all three. 

“One of my greatest challenges with being an entrepreneur was creating a balance as as well as keeping myself motivated on days when I felt overwhelmed. However, I had to remind myself daily to stay positive and keep God first and keep a relationship with him, for without him, I wouldn't have made it thus far,” she said. 

The ability to establish a new business during a pandemic is not an easy task. But being motivated Bernique was able to use her intellect and creativity and turn, not lemons, but ‘sours’ into soursop ice cream. 

Becoming an entrepreneur is what she called a “rewarding experience”, learning many things about herself on this journey and connecting with new people to expand her brand.

“I am able to bring out my greatest potential. The experience has also made me more financially wise and business savvy. I was also able to build relationships with other small business owners and customers who motivated me to expand my business the best way possible and introduce me to networking and growth opportunities,” she said.

Through networking and business relationships, Taste Da Flava hit a major milestone while only six months old. 

The business obtained two store features and Bernique was given a celebrity chef feature, she told Bahamaslocal.com. 

“Some of my career highlights would be the collaboration with Celebrity Chef Maurice as well as my experience with working along with small convenience stores to sell my products. Also, the ZNS news feature was an ‘oh wow this really happening’ experience, especially the feedback from the public,” she said.

In such a short time Bernique was able to meet such goals she made for her business. 

But there is still more to come from the young business owner. By 2023, she intends to expand her flavors and open a mobile ice cream store and her first store-front. 

Bernique quotes her own words as a form of motivation in all areas of her life, “Do what you can, while you can in this world with love, grace and passion”.

This has also helped her overcome negativity, and concerns about competition in her field. 

“Dealing with competition and negativity was challenging at first especially when I still was in the learning process of how people, customers and competitors, can impact a business. However, knowing and understanding my product value and what Taste Da Flava has to offer made me realize that once you stick to your goals and improve daily on the craft, exposure and growth will always come,” she said. 

Business is going “great” for Taste Da Flava’s owner. Although she is the youngest ice cream business owner, her age has not been scrutinized, she said or used against her as a tactic to question her business abilities. 

Bernique believes all millennials should have their own business as a form of extra income to afford living and for youth development. However, it comes with great responsibility, discipline and decision making which she said “can be difficult depending on the situation”.

To all Bahamian millennials seeking to start their own business, Bernique’s advice is “just go for it, start small and grow in phases and also be patient with yourself. YOU CAN DO IT, SEE YOU AT THE TOP”, she exclaimed. 

 

Connect with Bernique on Facebook at Taste Da Flava and on Instagram @tastedaflavbah

Taste Da Flava, where flavor meets expectations and storytelling reignites memories.