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Grand Bahama Small Businesses Receive Grants

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#Freeport, GB, November 20, 2019 – Bahamas – A number of businesses were recipients of grants from the Small Business Development Centre and the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, at the Office of the Prime Minister, Grand Bahama.

The businesses were either existing, looking to expand, or start-up and would be located anywhere from East Grand Bahama, to Freeport, to West Grand Bahama.

The recipients were: Sunny Side Food Truck, owned by Jaimmee Gaskins, specializing in baked goods; EJ’s Café in McLean’s Town; Peaches and Cream Boutique, owned by Sally Forbes, a clothing boutique; Junkanoo Shoe Company, owned by Tamika Knowles, a local shoe manufacturer; Bahamas Disposal Waste Treatment and Supplies, owned by Mervin Dean, specializing in hazardous water removal; Yellow Tail BioFuel, owned by Phillip Kemp specializing in renewable fuel sources; Utopia Nature Gardens, owned by Chaka Woodside, featuring organic produce; Voluptuous Beauties, owned by Beneta Pinder, a women’s clothing and accessory store; New Era Productions, owned by Quninton Gordon, a multimedia production firm; New Horizon Travel, owned by Hortense Russell, a travel agency; and Lost At Sea Jewelry, owned by Sherrill Bethel, specializing in sea glass jewelry.

Three of the businesses were recipients of grants and loans from the Small Business Development Centre, while the others received grants from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson took the opportunity to announce the Small Business Technology Upgrade Initiative.  He noted in the downtown area where a number of businesses were flooded, people’s paper records were destroyed.

“We are now moving into the age of technology and we are making that push for Grand Bahama to be the Technology Hub of The Bahamas and this region; one of the things we think about is if we are truly going to call ourselves a technology hub, then existing businesses must have the capability of using the latest technology.  This is one of those things where your need meets your opportunity and the hurricane provided the opportunity and made the need far more relevant.”

As a result of Dorian, said the Minister, businesses can now rebuild using the latest technology.

The Small Business Technology Upgrade Initiative “is designed specifically to create new opportunities for small businesses to access grant funding (up to $2,500) ear-marked for the introduction and/or upgrade of technology-based infrastructure within their enterprises.”  Infrastructure includes data/cyber security; cloud computing and storage; website design/implementation and enhancement; hardware/software (i.e. point of sale systems etc.); mobile applications; collaboration/remote workforce systems; marketing services (social media advertising etc.); productivity/financial management systems; and customer relationship management (CRM).

Davinia Grant, Executive Director of Small Business Development Center (SBDC), said she was excited to be at the presentation because it proves that what they are doing works; and supporting small businesses, strengthens the economy.  There are currently 200 applications from Grand Bahama.  Despite the passage of the recent hurricane only two months ago, people have shown they still want to pursue their dreams and what they envisioned. “That’s what resilience is. Despite all the opposition, you decide to push with your vision.”  To date, approximately $185,000 in SBDC grants and small loans have been approved.

Mrs. Grant offered advice: “If you’re looking to rebuild your business, one of the major things that impedes a small business from being able to access credit or equity investments is the lack of records.” She said that very few small businesses have proper financial records, and this is making it difficult for them.  SBDC has systems in place to assist small businesses in this area.

By Robyn Adderley

Release: BIS

Photo Caption: Following a brief presentation, November 15, 2019 a number of businesses received grants from the Small Business Development Centre and the Office of the Prime Minister.  Shown from left seated are: Sharmine Johnson (SBDC); Evette O’Conner (SBDC); Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson; and Davinia Grant, Executive Director, Small Business Development Centre. Shown from left standing are: Mervin Dean; Hortense Russell; Sally Forbes; Quinton Gordon; Benita Pinder; Jaimmee Gaskins; Phillip Kemp; and Conrad Jones, Office of the Prime Minister.   

(BIS Photo)

Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Bahamas News

Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Bahamas News

Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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