LITTLE BAY, Montserrat – A new word was coined this week Caymanserratian as Cayman Island entrepreneurs Luigi Moxam and Susan Barnes brought their energy and ideas to YES Caribbean, a conference for entrepreneurs held on Montserrat last week May 25 -28, 2011.
Fashion Designer Luigi Moxam shared his entrepreneurial story during various sessions over the four-day event and got local teens to model some of his gear as part of his presentation. Moxam showcased how he merged his love for the Cayman Islands, his passion for social and humanitarian causes with his fashion label One Tree Four Five Collection. By the end of the four days, Moxam and Montserratian-born actress Dionne Audain had coined a new word Caymanserratian to define the new found connections and passion that was being shared and spread.
“I really felt the love and at home,” Moxam said. “I’m definitely coming back and want to see how we can collaborate more with the young people here.”
Dancer Susan Barnes gave a heavy hitting presentation called Healthy, Wealthy, Wise: The Definition of True Success” in which she challenged those present to reassess the things that they have been using to define themselves. Barnes said Montserrat’s tragic volcanic story should be honored and celebrated and then every effort made to move beyond it.
While on island she taught a dance class at the island’s smallest and youngest school Samuel Community Academy and also participated in the annual dance recital of Dance Excell. Barnes was also one of the panelists at the For Ladies Only, an inspirational evening hosted by YES Caribbean conference host Nerissa Golden.
“This was an amazing experience,” Barnes said. “I was especially touched by the children at the Samuel Academy, they were so responsive. It’s always a wonderful experience to be at YES.”
Both Barnes and Moxam were interviewed on several local radio programmes and were also part of the live internet broadcasts from the conference. The two teamed up for Saturday evening’s dance recital where Moxam showed he had a few other skills others than fashion design.
The Caymanians were part of an all star line up of entrepreneurs, which included actress Dionne Audain, filmmaker Felicia Bradford, Career Development Expert Dr. Anita DeFoe and designer Kaishah Peters.
Photos from YES Caribbean can be found on the event website at www.yes.trulycaribbean.net and on the Nerissa Golden – Truly Caribbean Woman page on Facebook.com as well as other related fan pages.
YES Caribbean was sponsored by ZJB Radio Montserrat, Cool & Smooth Antigua, the HYPE programme in the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Office of the Deputy Governor, the Montserrat Tourist Board, LIME, Office of the Chief Minister, the Bank of Montserrat and goldenmedia Montserrat.
