Backstage with Bajan Brands

On this episode, I’m talking to the owner of Artist Made, a fine arts-based business. Shanika Grimes is a young woman who is full of life and personality but she’s also full of practical know-how and drive to create business success.

After operating from a rental property Shanika bit the bullet and got the financing to build her own studio, completing the project before age 30. Artist Made operates from the St. James, Barbados studio where she teaches art classes and conducts art camps but also offers Artist Made branded bags and other products. But a lot of her income is earned from custom projects, especially murals.

Shanika is incredibly sober about what it takes to succeed in business as an artist. You'll find out how she made the decision to take up art as a career in the first place and why it became so important to create a viable business out of it. You'll enjoy this! Listen in to the conversation.

They make cheese in Barbados?! That’s the response my next guest on the podcast gets when she shows up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at international cheese events. That’s the response she got from me when I first sampled her products at a very popular all-inclusive event during Barbados’ Crop-Over festival 4 years ago. Andrea Power isn’t shy about her love for dairy. She grew up milking cows with her dad, who was the consummate DIY guy, always culling things together to make something new. So it’s probably no surprise that his daughter’s love for a little experimentation landed her on a product that has now morphed into the Hatchman’s Premium Cheeses brand.

In November 2019 I saw an ad on Instagram that I’ll admit got me pretty excited. Part of the caption read - “Living Bliss Barbados is the first and only furniture retail company in Barbados to offer you a full 3D image of your furniture online. We also offer customization options online and a price is generated right at your fingertips.”

So, of course, I had to find out who was behind this new Bajan brand and luckily I found her. Ashlee Joseph-Ifill is the owner of and the brains powering the Living Bliss Barbados furniture retail concept. Ashlee is my guest on this episode of Backstage with Bajan Brands. Listen to the conversation.

It was 2017 and I was preparing for a big company opening event. I wanted each guest to leave with something special, something local, something beautiful and something almost everyone could enjoy. In my search for that special thing, I came across Jem’s gourmet chocolates.

I made the call to Melissia Batson the founder of Jem’s and with her guidance decided on a few custom options to include in the swag bag. When they arrived I was so impressed with the presentation and packaging and the chocolates themselves were beautiful and delicious.

Fast forward to 2018 as I browsed a supermarket shelf and was pleasantly surprised to find Infusion dark chocolates, a brand from Jems in really playful and appealing packaging.

I’m fortunate to share with you the wonderful conversation I had with Melissia of Jem’s gourmet chocolates on this latest episode of Backstage with Bajan Brands. Listen in.

My guests on this week’s episode have created a Street Food brand using a new take on an old sidewalk favourite in Barbados - corn on the cob. Traditionally it’s heavily roasted or steamed and bathed in butter. But Halley Franklyn and Rachael Kennedy the co-owners and life partners behind Cobz Street Corn are doing something a lot different with corn these days. While they’re still located street side both the corn and the experience are night and day compared to the customary way. It all began with a trip abroad and a taste of a Mexican elote - grilled or steamed corn on the cob with flavourful toppings.

The Cobz visual branding, quirky social media posts, and colourful corn photography first put this brand on my radar. Halley and Rachael somehow found time in their hectic week to chat with me. Listen in.