If you aren’t necessarily part of the tech industry, the name Stephen Spence may not ring familiar but this innovative, game-changing entrepreneur has led a transformative mobile marketing business that transformed the way local and regional companies communicate with customers…forever. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of SMS Communications limited, a Jamaican company that was started in 2007 and has successfully grown to service over two hundred and fifty clients across the Caribbean. With that reach, chances are you’ve utilized Mcommerce services offered by Stephen’s SMSC limited. How has he been able to sustain and build on his vision since 2007? Today we talk about Stephen’s accomplishments and so much more…right here on the Entrepreneurial You.

NFTs

Non-fungible tokens, widely known as NFTs, are the latest evolution of the cryptocurrency concept. They’ve been around since 2014 but recently gained notoriety. NFTs can be traded or exchanged, one for another as one of a kind digital representations of physical assets. They are essentially digital contracts, with certain rules such as the number of copies available for sale. Much of the current market for NFTs is centred around collectables, such as digital artwork, music, real estate and sports cards, even tweets. So what triggered the latest internet obsession? In early March, a group of NFTs in the form of artwork was sold for over USD 69 million, the sale set a precedent and a record for the most expensive pieces of digital art sold thus far. NFTs exist on a blockchain which is a distributed public ledger that records transactions. Blockchain technology help artists and content creators, for example, get the opportunity to monetize their wares without relying on a gallery or auction house. Instead, the artist can sell it directly to the consumer. In theory, anybody can tokenize their work to sell an NFT. It’s important to note, however, that NFTs are typically held on the Ethereum blockchain so owning and storing some of this cryptocurrency is usually the first step in attaining NFTs. With all the hype surrounding this new craze, the big questions yet to be answered are…are they worth the money, will they change the way we do invest forever or will they fade away? Only time will tell.

Being an exceptional leader means more than having the ability to deliver results, it’s also about the capacity to empower from the inside out. Christopher Reckord is one such businessman who leads with heart and expertise. Chris, chief executive officer and board member for tTech Limited, a leading IT support organization, has over 30 years of experience in the fields of information and communications technology and entrepreneurship. He is pioneering technical solutions to business operations and is leaving a life-long legacy, as a life-long learner on his career journey. Christopher Reckord……on The Entrepreneurial You.

Fierce, forward-thinking and certainly not afraid to take on a challenge. Nyanna Williams boldly leads a brand that bears a strong influence on its industry and a strong connection to her purpose. She’s travelled across geographical and professional borders to find her true calling as Chief Executive Officer of Lifespan Spring Water Co; a business that is globally recognized for its award-winning quality standards and its local contributions to nation-building. The Portland-born powerhouse business influencer has found her niche and is on a mission to pour back into her town and country, the investment and resources she has received. It’s Nayanna Williams on…The Entrepreneurial You.

Cryptocurrency…what is it?

The cryptocurrency industry has grown exponentially over the last decade. More and more people are becoming interested in the mysterious digital currency industry that carries more than fourteen thousand different cryptocurrencies traded publicly, at a value of almost 3 trillion as of November 2021; this is according to market research website coinmarketcap.com.

With all this focused attention being paid to Cryptocurrency, here are some factoids you might find valuable.

A cryptocurrency is a form of payment that can be exchanged online for goods and services. The currencies use blockchain technology that manages and records transactions across computers. “Crypto” refers to the various encryption algorithms and cryptographic techniques that safeguard these transactions.

One of the things that make this market so interesting, is that there is no central authority to issue the currencies, they are theoretically immune to government meddling but are susceptible to taxation in some regions. Perhaps that’s part of the reason cryptocurrency is not supported by all countries, with some like Nigeria, going as far as putting a ban on crypto exchanges.

Now let’s take a closer look at the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization…Bitcoin. Launched in 2009, by an anonymous creator, Bitcoin has been described as fulfilling the need for an “electronic payment system based on cryptographic proof instead of trust”. Bitcoin transactions are stored on a public ledger containing information secured by blockchain, which should make it difficult to tamper with. This seems to be the biggest pull for investors because, since its public launch, one Bitcoin now sells for more than $62,000. Usd. And for those who may be wondering, yes bitcoin can be converted to cash.

Her influence spans many phases of media development in Jamaica. From being credited with helping to transform the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) into what is now the number one free-to-air station; Television Jamaica (TVJ), to her pioneering work in video, live streaming solutions. This Fulbright scholar and media specialist have comfortably claimed competence and authority as a lecturer of media management and author of media research-based books. From working as a registered general nurse to becoming co-founder and executive chairman of Phase 3 Productions, She is Dr Marcia Forbes……on The Entrepreneurial You.

The Future of Space Tourism

Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk…what do they all have in common? You guessed it…they are all in the race to space. A new era of space tourism has ensued. We’ve moved from the simple study of the outer world to Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon, and now folks are lining up to book a spot on a shuttle off the planet. The high price of all this, just for a few minutes of floating. But what has renewed this space craze tourism venture and why are the richest people in the world competing to set up shop outside of earth? Let’s delve in.

Space shuttle flights have been a thing from the early 1980s but somehow has made a strong comeback as the talk of the town with the likes of brands such as Virgin, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing CST-100 Starliner launching rockets recently. We suspect the revival has a lot to do with newly found bragging rights that can be had and revenue potential, especially now that tech advancements have made it easier and more affordable to launch off…the affordable part can be argued of course. Analysts estimate that by 2040, the global space industry will grow from about 400 billion to more than a trillion dollars. If it’s true that a seat on the shuttle will go for anywhere between two hundred to three hundred and fifty thousand USD, then those estimates don’t seem so hard to believe.

In fact, A floating space hotel is set to launch in 2021 with a projected cost of 2.3 billion dollars. Hotel mogul Robert Bigelow has plans to sell slots to government officials looking to do research as well as holiday slots to those who can afford it. By it, we mean booking cost in the low seven/eight-figures.

The future of travelling is space tourism…where do you see yourself in the future?

A zac of many trades; Zachary Harding has crafted a diversified career profile that has taken him from the dancehall to the boardroom and into the Forbes Business Council…and he’s just getting started. Dubbed a marketing guru, Harding has a track record of excellence in senior management and strategic marketing roles with prominent brands such as the Jamaica Tourist Board, ATL, Red Stripe, JAMPRO, the Urban Development Corporation, Caribbean Airlines, the Port Authority of Jamaica, Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association just to name a few.

He is currently the Executive Chair of Delta Capital Partners and Group Chief Executive Officer of Stocks and Securities Limited.

He’s the CEO with a deep-rooted passion for the cultural and creative arts…on The Entrepreneurial You.
Trending Now
Has video conferencing shaped the future of communication? The studies indicate a resounding yes and Zoom Video Communications, Inc has come out of the shadows to lead the technological pack. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, more and more companies were forced to rely on video conferencing tools to maintain business. An unprecedented 2020 gave rise to video conferencing systems, and Zoom was perfectly positioned to grow in demand. The accessibility and ease of deployment have made it one of the leading virtual meeting software. 

Let’s put things into perspective…here are some key statistics on the rapid growth of the video conferencing company, Zoom. 

In 2020, Zoom generated $2.6 billion in revenue, a 317 per cent increase year-on-year. It was also one of the fastest-growing apps of the pandemic, with meeting participants increasing by 2900 per cent. 

And we’re not done…It has almost five hundred thousand business customers as of March 2021. Its valuation exceeded $100 billion during the pandemic and the number of annual meeting minutes on Zoom is now over 3.3 trillion. Not bad for a company launched in 2013, less than 10 years ago. 

Zoom’s uptake in use has had one of the most rapid business growths of 2020 and research projects that the video conferencing industry will be worth US$20 billion by 2024 so there is more than enough opportunity for game-changing expansions of companies such as zoom.

A new age of communication methods is unfolding; boosting efficiency and productivity. For one, thanks to innovations like those, you don’t have to be tech-savvy to be able to operate the latest technology. 

It’s safe to say this trend is here to stay, constantly being developed with added enhanced, next-generation features and this boom is sure to last beyond COVID-19. 
Enjoy this Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your family and friends, colleagues and fellow business owners, so they can feel empowered and encouraged to pursue their business.
Have any questions? You can contact me through email (henekawatkisporter@gmail.com) or find me on Facebook, YouTube Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!
For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. Some episodes are also available on YouTube
Before you go, I have something I want to share with you to make your social media management easier. It is way less time-consuming than anything else you will ever try. You will be able to improve your team and clients’ collaboration and productivity. I am talking about eClincher. You can finally get around to doing that project you’ve always wanted to work on.
Signup for a free 14-day trial using my affiliate link. Whether you are an SME, Agency or Enterprise, eClincher is for you. Sign up today.
Stay inspired,
Heneka
 

I trust you had a Merry Christmas. I am praying that 2022 will be a year of victory for you.

2021 has been quite a year, as was its predecessor 2020. But I am here to tell you that I gave it all that I’ve got from a place of surrender, ease and grace. I was in no rush to go anywhere nor do anything. My modus operandi became one of simply being. I won’t lie though, I have had some serious challenges that I am still navigating.

Honestly, there was a time in the year where I thought I couldn’t bear anything else. While still recovering from a life-threatening burnout in 2020, my husband suffered major strokes in May, which frightened the daylight out of me.

I cried, acknowledged where I was and reached out for help. And man did my community rally around me! Oh yeah, you supported as only you could—the prayers, the retreats, the phone calls, the cooking of meals and more—you reminded me that I was not alone, and I am grateful for that.

Notwithstanding the challenges, I have had many wins (big and small).

The Entrepreneurial You podcast celebrated its 200th episode in January with 2nd-time guest, Seth Godin.
Lisa Nichols shared her brilliance on The Entrepreneurial You podcast
My forever virtual mentor, Les Brown, accepted my invitation to be on The Entrepreneurial You.
UWI Press became a Distributor for my 5th book, Podcast Power: The Quick-Start Guide to Launching & Leveling-Up Your Brand.
I partnered with Business Access TV to launch the TV edition of The Entrepreneurial You podcast. Here is a sample. They will soon be made available on the podcast and my YouTube channel.
In addition to The Entrepreneurial You, I produce two other business podcasts:

EXIM Bank’s Your Business Matters
JSE’s The Jamaica Stock Exchange & You

I coached some clients into their winning season during one-on-one sessions and from my Take-Flight Mastermind.
Interviewed some insightful people for the podcasts that I produce
Contributed to the 1st episode of the PodFest Podcast
I was an audience member in the audience of the Dr Phil Show.
Continue to treat my mental and physical health as a priority on my schedule.
Revived the Patwa Apparel brand via dipatwalifestyle.com
Became more Africa-centric (planning a women empowerment trip to Ghana).

As it relates to plans for 2022, I don’t have a lot of those. I have a few bucket list items that I intend on crossing off. The aim is to do more things that give me joy, go with the flow while I reap the benefits from seeds planted over many years.

As I go forward, The Entrepreneurial You will feature the brilliance of the African Diaspora and share content from the TV edition of the show.

I want you to know how much I value your support. I look forward to sharing more informative content in 2022.

Until we connect again, do take care of yourself.

Sincerely,
Heneka

Do you give time and space to that other voice in your head telling you that you are not good enough? I mean, those big audacious goals that you have written in your journal remain exactly there because you keep asking yourself, “who am I to want to be able to do this thing?” Actually who are you, NOT to want these things. Listen to this episode to learn how Arlan Hamilton has overcome imposter syndrome to be the bad ass entrepreneur she now is.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 
 

Learn how Arlan deals with Imposter Syndrome.                                              . 
Get insight into Arlan’s latest venture dealing with Fractional Employment.
Find out Arlan’s Jamaican connection. 

 
Episode Highlights
About Hire Runner

Runner was formed in 2021 addressing a pain point that many companies have, that is needing that extra executive support but not being able to or wanting to bring on a full-time salaried employee right away.
Hire takes on fractions employees to assist entrepreneurs on as needed.
There are multiple ways that Runners can curate their career.
The Gig work economy has changed and created many things; what was missing was the access to benefits.

 
Where did Arlan’s love for Startups come from?

The innovation that she tapped into as a child made her curious about people.
At around 30 she had moments of revelation that showed her the disconnect with those who were part of the tech space and she wanted to change that.
Part of her mission is to be someone who catalyses the brilliant minds from people taken from all walks of life.

 
How has imposter syndrome affected Arlan’s entrepreneurial journey?

Arlan has admitted that imposter syndrome affected her when she was younger.
We don’t have enough time in this world to spend our time wondering if we are in the right room or not.
Black women have so much time to make up for. We don’t have enough time to wonder if we are ready for that role.

4 Powerful Quotes from This Episode
“It doesn’t get easier, it becomes more worth it.”

“Now with all the policies in place today, it is common decency to ensure that people working within your company are taken care of and we are happy to be on this side of history.”

“The startup lane is such a new frontier and could be a leveling playfield.”

“I want to be someone that catalyses the brilliant minds who take us into the future. And these brilliant minds are attached to people taken from all walks of life and not just a chosen few who get to represent who we are.”  

 
About Arlan Hamilton 
Arlan is an investor and the Founder, HireRunner and managing partner of Backstage Capital. In May 2020, Hamilton released her first book from Penguin Random House entitled It’s About Damn Time, which is based on her personal journey into entrepreneurship and venture capital.

Have specific questions? You can reach out to Arlan on Twitter.

Enjoy this Podcast?

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your family and friends, colleagues and fellow business owners, so they can feel empowered and encouraged to pursue their business interests.

Have any questions? You can contact me through email (henekawatkisporter@gmail.com) or find me on Facebook, YouTube Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!

For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. Some episodes are also available on YouTube

Before you go,

Have you ever seen pictures of entrepreneurs with their laptop while on the glistening and enticing shores with hues of blues and turquoise with the caption, “living my best life now” and wondered how you too can do that? This episode reveals someone who is successfully doing that and provides hacks for you to do it too.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 
 

Learn how a tech startup founder runs a successful business while travelling the world, living in dozens of cities. 
Discover how to merge business and travel to have the life you want
Identify some travel hacks to do so on a budget. 

 
Episode Highlights
 
Yaro’s early days get in Tech

From 16 to about 25 years old, Yaro’s goal was focused on making enough money to survive with his own source of income, not someone else’s.
He was seen as a misfit. Everyone had a job or was starting university.
Brisban wasn’t a hotbed for entrepreneurship.. 

 
How was Yaro able to travel the world and do business? 

He built a business that was very leveraged, was systematized and with help from Assistants, etc..
A blog and Newsletter allowed him to create content for just 2 hours a day and that was a good day. He had an established audience. He automated much of his process.
It took him 10 years to get to that digital-nomad lifestyle.

What inspired Yaro to travel the world and do business at the same time?

The initial inspiration came from learning about entrepreneurship in general.
The Book, e-Myth by Michael Gerber played a huge role. It was instrumental to validate the idea that you could build a business that you are not the main operator.
It was about wanting to build a machine that could generate passive income.

 
3 Powerful Quotes from This Episode
“Throughout that entire time I was sitting in Cafes with my laptop and I would coordinate either a launch campaign, write a blog post or a Newsletter and the business would run behind me.”

“I made a deliberate choice to build that type of business, to go after that business model. It took me 10 years.” 

“My goal was simply not get a job, not have a boss, not have an alarm clock, that was the worst, not have a cap on my potentia to make money, like all entrepreneurs, that one was to make a lot of money that I could actually survive. That’s what my brain was focused on.”

 
About Yaro Starak 
Yaro Starak. Yaro is the co-founder of InboxDone.com, an email management company with a team of 25+ serving clients including restaurant owners, venture capitalists, accountants, doctors, lawyers, real estate agents, car retailers, online coaches and more.Yaro has made 30+ angel investments in tech startups including Steezy, LeadIQ, Fluent Forever, FitBod and Nutrisense, has property investments in Canada and Ukraine, and in partnership built a 3.6MW solar farm.During the mid-2000s Yaro sold his first company, BetterEdit.com, then built an online education business, Blog Mastermind, selling over $2 Million of his books and online courses, as he traveled the world, living in 26 different cities. Yaro has been featured in SkyNews, Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Foundr and hundreds of media outlets and events.

Have specific questions? You can reach out to Yaro on Twitter and check out his FREE MINI-GUIDE on the TOP 10 TASKS TO OUTSOURCE TO AN ASSISTANT 

Enjoy this Podcast?

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your family and friends, colleagues and fellow business owners, so they can feel empowered and encouraged to pursue their busine…

They lied to us, making us believe that as entrepreneurs we should be hustling and grinding constantly if we want to become successful. But is it success if it comes at the expense of our health? Can we have great health while pursuing wealth? Is it one or the other? This episode examines how we can navigate our health goals while still pursuing financial freedom.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode: 
 

Learn to navigate your health goals while pursuing your financial goals. 
Find out how to be intentional about taking care of your health. 
To learn practical steps to making better nutritional decisions. 

 
Episode Highlights
Taking care of our own health is important

Culture has contributed to the way we live our lives without rest.
Stress plays a huge role in our ability to be healthy.
We need to find a way to prioritize our bodies and our needs. 

How is a lack of proper nutrition manifesting itself amongst entrepreneurs? 

 Eating nothing during the week and then binging on weekends.
It looks different for everyone
When we don’t have proper nutrition, we are not going to be mentally sharp as we could be.
Lot of emotional overeating.

We can cut through the informational overwhelm by focusing on the basics.

 
What does health have to do with financial freedom?

We are not going to be our best selves if we are unhealthy
We cannot reach our financial goals if we are unhealthy.
Having habits in place reach far beyond heath goals

3 Powerful Quotes from This Episode
“We cannot give to anyone or anything from a state of depletion.”

“Taking care of our nutrition is important…for all the many relationships we are currently juggling.” 

“If we can allow our nutrition to not be another stressful thing to worry about then we can find a way for our nutrition to support the busy lives we live.”

 
About Kate Lyman 
Kate is a nutrition coach, founder of “Kate Lyman Nutrition,” wife, traveler, and lover of outdoors. Kate helps committed clients make a transformational change using a flexible nutrition approach and creating sustainable healthy habits using evidence-based methods. 

Have specific questions? You can reach out to Kate Facebook and on her website and check out her FREE MEAL PREP COOKBOOK.
Enjoy this Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your family and friends, colleagues and fellow business owners, so they can feel empowered and encouraged to pursue their business.

Have any questions? You can contact me through email (henekawatkisporter@gmail.com) or find me on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!

For more updates and episodes, visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. Some episodes are also available on YouTube

Before you go, I have something I want to share with you to make your social media management easier. It is way less time-consuming than anything else you will ever try. You will be able to improve your team and clients’ collaboration and productivity. I am talking about eClincher. You can finally get around to doing that project you’ve always wanted to work on. 

Signup for a free 14-day trial using my affiliate link. Whether you are an SME, Agency or Enterprise, eClincher is for you. Sign up today.

Stay inspired,

Heneka