Winning Strategies

Exploring Barbados

Today we rented a jeep to explore the island. The sun was peeking in and out of the clouds, and rain was sneaking down occasionally.

The island isn't that big. It doesn't have many street signs, making exploring a little difficult. We are staying at Turtle Beach, a southern beach, so we head up the western coast towards the northern most point.

 


Our first stop was Brandon's Beach. It was deserted. The views were beautiful. The beaches here are sandy white, dotted with palm trees, and the waves on the Pacific side of the island are calm.

We ventured on to North Point. Here we stand on a cliff overlooking crashing waves. As the waves hit the rocks, they shot up and splashed down in grandeous fashion. It was amazing to see.

We continued on to Basheba, on the eastern side. This is where you would find the surfers. This side of the island is full of huge waves crashing into the beach. It is a totally different experience than the calm beaches on the western side that we visited just an hour before.

We head down Highway 2 and, after getting lost at a few turnabouts, we make it back to the hotel in time for dinner. Whew! What a day.

The Best Cup of Coffee in Barbados

We rented a black jeep and head out on a day of discovery. The sun peeks through the clouds occasionally.

We stop by a beautiful secluded beach and play in the sand. Funny enough- the beach is called 'Brandon's Beach'. Here we skip rocks, bury our feet in the sand and frolick in the surf. How fun!

In Sunset Crest, we stop at Cafe Moya for lunch and enjoy the best cup of coffee on the island. Wow- it was fantastic. Marguerite Moe is the owner and you should definitely stop by and enjoy a coffee and a pastry at her place. Mmmnnn mmmnnnn good.
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Cool Breezes and Palm Trees

My blog from yesterday loaded the picture sideways, and for the life of me- I could not get it re-loaded correctly on the slow internet connections on the island- so sideways it will be. These things don't bother you much on the islands.

The palm trees gently blow in the wind and I hear the sound of children laughing. The faint sound of the waves crashing into shore not far away decorates the background of the beautiful sights and sounds of the island.

Ahhhh- peace and relation. This island is a vacation spot for the british- and so I hear English accents all around. Harry Potter may appear at any moment- laugh.

The people of the island are very friendly. It reminds me of the happy-go-lucky people of Jamaica. There are smiling happy faces all around.

There are not any big well known branded hotels here that I have found. More exploring to come- I'll keep you posted.
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Sunshine and Sand- Barbados

I sit in a sun chair by the pool taking a break from my ever so busy life. I'm on an island far away from my bills, housework, my job, pets, newspapers, grocery shopping and generally all the demands of day to day life.

It has been quite a year. I think back over the events of the year. Wow- life is moving at warp speed. We are planning a wedding for Heather, and Brandon is almost 17. The 'baby' is 12. Life seems to run past- it takes a concerted effort to run after it.

Stop- relax- and enjoy the life that is passing you by.
 

 

The Sun is Out in Barbados

Yeah- the sun is out and the sky, water and sand are beautiful!

Today we started out early to catch a catamaran named El Tigre. Our first tour stop on the catamaran was to a shallow location with beautiful turquoise water. The boat anchored and we dove in to swim with the turtles. The turtles swim fluidly through the water. They circled around
and around us, eager to get pieces of the fish that the tour guide was handing out. Caleb swam around the turtles like he was half fish.

After about 20-30 minutes, we pulled up anchor and headed to the ship wrecks. Here we had a chance to snorkel 2 different shipwrecks, not far from shore. Fish swam in and around
the shipwrecks, happy to call it their home.

We boat over to a bay and have lunch, basking in the sun on the deck of the catamaran, enjoying the beautiful view. We jump off the deck and swim to the shore, squeezing our toes into the white sandy beach.

Ahhhh, the chance to relax and enjoy a little time away from it all. Book your time away today!

We arrive in Barbados

We arrive in Barbados late last night and a driver takes us to the Turtle Beach Resort. It is late, and we cannot see the beach or the hotel. We awake early this morning to investigate and explore. Unfortunately, rain is plummeting down and we have a rainy morning in paradise. Even with the rain pouring down on it, the beach is amazing- -soft white sand meets the ocean. I sit for a moment, mesmerized by the rhythmic motion of the waves as they crash onto the shore reflecting on all the wonders of the earth and its many creations.

I'm sitting in an internet cafe', watching the rain. All for now, I'll write later.

Airline Delay

The beach is waiting for me, calling softly. The winds are drifting gently by, I'm sure- - - but I don't really know cause I'm stuck in an American Airlines International airport terminal hoping that my flight will soon take off. I'm desperately wishing that the delay is NOT longer than 2 hours.

I'm digitally connected on both my laptop and my ipad, updating software versions and doing all the things that we never do because we 'don't have time'. Well, now I have a little time.

My computer crashed this morning and I'm extremely happy that I use a click free backup system. Find them on the web at http://www.clickfree.com. I love that I can buy a new computer, plug in my click free backup and within 15 minutes, I'm back up and ready to go- - all my files safely in tact and everything ready for me. That is imperative since I'm in need of completing book 3 on Personal Branding as well as finishing a business plan for Dina Bar-EL. Lots to do while I'm on the beach with the family.

I'll be starting a new job when I get back from the islands, and will need to clean up my home office and get ready for a fresh start. All for now.... now we wait.

Off to Barbados to the Turtle Beach Resort

Tomorrow we are taking the new direct flight from Dallas Fort Worth Internatinal Airport to Barbados to hide-away on the island for a few days of R&R.  We will be visiting the Turtle Beach Resort that is located in the southern part of Barbados (http://www.turtlebeachresortbarbados.com/).

I need to write the last 2 chapters of Book 3- the branding book.  They are the most important chapters.  They include ideas of others that have excelled branding themselves or their busines to a market wrought with competition.

 I also need to write a business plan for the Dina Bar-EL Fashion Empire.  I will attempt to accomplish both while basking in the sun in Barbados.

I am about to embark on a new adventure. I have left my PwC position and will soon announce my next big move.  Stay tuned.  I know you want to know where I will be.  For now, you will have to enjoy simply reading my vacation posts as I rest, relax, enjoy m family, and get a little sun.  Life is short, enjoy the beauty and simplicity of it today.

For information on the island of Barbados, visit http://barbados.org .  It is never too late to plan a getaway.

The Dina Bar-EL Fashion Empire

I had the opportunity to spend 2 days in Los Angeles, consulting for Dina Bar-EL of the Dina Bar-EL Fashion Empire.  She is an amazingly brilliant designer that gained significant popularity in 2004 and 2005 when Kate Hudson wore one of her dress designs in the movie, 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'.  Since  Kate graced the movie set in the stunning yellow satin dress, Dina has been blessed with a growing business, and a brand that is now known world-wide  www.DinaBarEL.com. Her and I became friends after a chance encounter in the first class cabin on American airlines from LAX to Dallas in 2007. 

While I was in LA, we worked on a business plan and further refining her brand.  It is always refreshing to step across varying verticals, realizing the proliferation of similiarities that varying industries possess.

From my desk I could see beautiful dresses, recently designed by  Dina Bar-EL.  Her dresses are known for their fit, the elegant fabrics that she uses to create them, and the beautiful designs.

The dresses are breathtaking. You've surely seen one of her dresses, as Hollywood has a love affair with the Dina Bar-El dresses.  

Her dresses have been worn by Fergi, Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham, Byonce', the Pussy Cat Dolls, Rihanna, Tara Reid, Geena Davis, Holly Robinson Peete, Tyra Banks, Penelope Cruz, Carmen Electra, Mary J Blige- - and the list goes on and on and on. 

We started the second day out with breakfast with Won-G (www.won-g.com).  Won-G is a Haitian  born rapper, entrepeneuer, businesman and philanthropist.  He is a breath of fresh air, very different from most of the stars that you may meet in Beverly Hills.  He has started a blue jean company called Sovage Jeans (www.sovagedenim.com) that has kicked off to a superb start. 

 
Michael Williams, Bethany Willams, Won-G, and Dina Bar-EL

Here the 'breakfast club' (grin) meets to strategize over egg whites and toast.  God is good.

Laugh Easily and Often

If you know me, you know that I laugh a lot. I laugh when I'm happy, nervous, excited and even sad. Years ago I developed it as a defence mechanism to ward off life's struggles. I highly recommend this 'laughing' medicine for anything that ails you.

I remember attending a stress management class once where they asked us to laugh outloud from our gut. It relieves stress and tension (and apparently is linked to numerous health benefits).

So- what is my advice for the day? Try to laugh easily and often. It will do your heart, mind, and body a lot of good!
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