Inspire Women Fall 2019

INSPIRE 

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She 

LEADS 

Women in 

Entrepreneurship 

Conference 

Own It 

Realtors Capitalize on 

What Makes Them Unique

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Cover Photo By Studio 57 Photography 

4 

cover feature 

OWN IT: Realtors 

Capitalize on What 

Makes Them Unique 

Sharika Tucci 

Erna DeGraff 

Ambika Scott 

Johnette McNeil 

Tamika Todd 

10 One of a Kind 

Samali McFadden 

12 Women in 

Entrepreneurship 

Conference 

14 Inspiring Hope 

Erica Smith 

16 At Your Service 

Yukio Swan 

18 Single Parents 

20 She Leads 

23 Show Yourself 

a Little Love 

10 

24 Prepare Your Body 

for Pregnancy 

12 16 14

contents 

fall 2019 

23 

24 

18 

20

P U B L I S H E R & E D I T O R 

Katrina Ball 

A D V E R T I S I N G S A L E S 

Wanda Brown 

wanda@knbmediagroup.com 

333-1925 

Alicia Resnik 

alicia@knbmediagroup.com 

236-9218 

D E S I G N & P R O D U C T I O N 

Picante Creative 

C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S 

Alicia Resnik, Dr. Ayesha Peets-Talbot, 

Jessica Maiato, BHS 

C O N T R I B U T I N G 

P H O T O G R A P H E R 

Dionne Nelson 

Studio 57 Photography 

M A R K E T I N G D I R E C T O R 

Katrina Ball 

504-2937 

Inspire Women is published annually. Reader 

correspondence and editorial submissions 

are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, 

reject or comment editorially on all material 

contributed. No portion of this magazine 

may be reproduced without express written 

consent of the publisher. The opinions 

expressed by contributors or writers do 

not necessarily reflect the opinions of this 

magazine. Distribution of this product does 

not constitute an endorsement 

of the products or services herein. 

C O N T A C T U S 

katrina@knbmediagroup.com 

Tel: 504-2937 

www.inspirewomenmag.com

thoughts 

OUR 

PHOTO BY TIMELESS TREASURES 

Celebrating Exceptional Women Leading in their Fields 

T 

his issue we recognize 8 incredible 

leaders, future female leaders and 

entrepreneurs. Their commitment, 

perseverance, determination and 

passion are truly an inspiration, and there is 

much we can all learn from these exceptional 

women. I hope you enjoy reading their stories 

and how women are giving their time to lift up 

those who follow after. 

Be sure to read She Leads and how our 

schools and entrepreneurs came together to 

mentor, influence and inspire young women. 

The BEDC has focused specifically on 

female entrepreneurs to inspire and connect 

with each other and speak directly to the 

challenges in business women experience. 

It’s an honor to be able to celebrate 

these women and those who inspire 

leadership in others. 

To your success. 

Katrina Ball 

Publisher & Founder 

Katrina@knbmediagroup.com 

Inspire WOMEN 3

Own It 

Realtors Capitalize on What Makes Them Unique 

COVER story 

B Y A L I C I A 

R E S N I K 

Photos By Studio 57 Photography 

Every Client’s Needs 

Are Unique. It’s Important 

For Them To Know 

That A Business Is 

Willing To Adapt To 

Their Specific Needs. 

I Provide Customized 

Property Management 

Solutions.” 

SHARIKA TUCCI, 

MASTERKEY 

MANAGEMENT 

LTD. 

Sharika Tucci is the owner and 

Managing Director of Masterkey 

Management Ltd. She’s been a property 

manager and held a real estate 

license for 16 years. Before opening 

Masterkey, she worked for Coldwell 

Banker, the Department of Works 

and Engineering, Starr Excess and 

XL Financial Solutions. 

Mrs. Tucci’s career path began 

in insurance. “I obtained my bachelor’s 

degree in Actuarial Science 

because of my aptitude for mathematics. 

With the insurance industry 

being so strong in Bermuda, it was 

a logical decision,” she worked as 

an Assistant Underwriter for XL Financial 

Solutions. “After a few years 

in the industry I found it wasn’t 

4 Inspire WOMEN 

my passion.” Growing up she was 

interested in architecture and saw 

the opportunity to incorporate her 

interests and skill sets. “Real estate 

was a perfect blend - especially with 

property management. It is less 

sales driven, more organizational 

management plus the understanding 

of financial statements and the 

legal aspects of real estate.” 

Having a family was also the 

driving force behind Masterkey. 

“It was challenging to find balance 

working a traditional ‘9 to 5’. Not 

being able to pick up my daughters 

after school or drive them to activities. 

This allows for more flexibility. 

I can leave at 3:30pm then return to 

my desk later.” 

Masterkey specializes in property 

management. Mrs. Tucci says 

she loves the flexibility of directing 

the quality of service she gives her 

clients. She provides services for all 

property types including residential 

units, condominium developments, 

commercial properties and holiday 

homes. She also offers a residential 

rental agency service. In the future 

she plans to grow the condominium 

side of the management business 

and take on larger developments. 

For Mrs. Tucci the best part 

of her job is easing the burden of

property ownership for her clients. 

“I love helping people and making 

their lives easier - by finding them 

a tenant or by them knowing their 

property is being taken care of. I’m a 

people pleaser.” 

The most challenging aspect of 

owning her company has been learning 

to set boundaries. “Saying no to 

business opportunities that aren’t the 

best option, or requests that are unreasonable 

is difficult. When you’re 

an entrepreneur it’s easy to want to 

please everyone, but you must set 

boundaries for your own well-being, 

to ensure you’re healthy and able to 

continue doing what you love.” 

Mrs. Tucci credits her success 

to her Christian faith and says she’s 

able to exhibit God’s love through 

her interactions with her clients, customers 

and contractors. “I exhibit 

patience to those that are frustrated, 

kindness to those who are unkind 

and compassion to those dealing 

with challenges.” She’s also grateful 

for the committed support of her 

husband, Salvatore, and her daughters, 

Zariah and Lexiana. “I formed 

Masterkey for my family but certainly 

couldn’t have done it without 

them! Sal encouraged, counselled 

and celebrated me every step of the 

way! My daughters have seen the 

blood, sweat and tears that go into 

entrepreneurship and have gained 

an education beyond the classroom.” 

Mrs. Tucci jokes, “My daughters 

could probably do quite well on 

the real estate licensing exam just by 

what they’ve experienced during my 

7 years in business!” 

Homeowners tips? She says 

“Check, maintain and plan.” 

• Check periodically for leaks, 

malfunctioning services, loose 

hardware or invasive plant 

growth. Identify problems before 

they become major issues. 

• Maintain your property with 

regularly scheduled service visits 

to extend the life and improve 

the efficiency of the various 

components of your home. 

• Plan ahead to fund the cost 

of future upgrades - for your 

kitchen and bath, lighting or 

landscaping. Upgrades maintain 

the appeal of your property 

as it ages. 

Sharika Tucci, 441-234-7287 (w), 

441-300-7287 (c). www.masterkey.bm. 

Email: sharika@masterkey.bm 

Twitter: @SharikaTucci 

LinkedIn: sharikatucci. 

Facebook: masterkeymgt. 

Show your 

property well. Paint, 

declutter, landscape, 

do all necessary minor 

improvements so your 

property shows in its 

best light.” 

ERNA DEGRAFF, 

MAINPOINT REAL 

ESTATE LTD. 

Erna DeGraff is the Broker of Main- 

Point Real Estate Ltd. Aside from 

providing a full real estate business, 

she’s a certified appraiser, providing 

appraisals for various requirements. 

She’s been a member of the Royal 

Institute of Chartered Surveyors 

since 1998. 


Her journey began at the 

Ministry of Works and Engineering 

in 1991. “I happened to fall into the 

career. I took a 6-month program in 

the Estate’s Department. During the 

6 months you have to decide if you 

want to continue.” She did and obtained 

her 2nd degree from Sheffield 

Hallam University in the UK. Her 

first degree was from Mount Saint 

Vincent University, Canada. After 

completing her studies in England, 

she returned home to continue working 

for the Ministry of Works and 

Engineering. Mrs. DeGraff sought to 

challenge herself further by taking 

a step into the private sector and 

joined Rego Sotheby’s International 

Realty where she was employed as a 

Valuer for 12 years. 

In 2016, she birthed MainPoint. 

“I’m grateful for the excellent foundation 

and experiences I’ve gained. 

These opportunities helped me 

venture forward on my own. Now 

I put all my hard work, energy, enthusiasm, 

gumption and prayer into 

MainPoint.” Three years later, she 

has an impressive team of 8 agents, 

offering a host of services from 

sales, rentals, property management 

and maintenance. 

Mrs. DeGraff advises property 

owners to listen to the advice of their 

agent. “If your property needs work, 

the listing price must reflect it.” A 

home appraisal is important because 

it determines the estimated market 

value of your property. “Appraisals 

are required for many different 

purposes. Bank, probate, divorce 

settlements, estate planning and if 

you desire to know the value of your 

property.” Top aspects when determining 

property value? She says, 

“Location, condition, floor area and 

acreage. The better maintained a 

property is the greater the value.” 

For Mrs. DeGraff the best part 

of her job is being out in the field. “I 

didn’t want a job that involved being 

in the office all day. I like flexibility - 

being out, coming back to the office, 

meeting new people, seeing what’s 

on the market.” She says as an Agent 

and Appraiser, she gets the best of both 

worlds. “I love visiting properties, admiring 

Bermuda’s architectural beauty, 

seeing tucked away streets as I travel 

from the east to the west!” 

She advises young Bermudians 

to consider the valuations profession. 

“There are only 6 firms who carry out 

valuations. We need the next generation! 

It’s a great career option, a 

rewarding job and a good pay-check!” 

Mrs. DeGraff says she’s grateful 

for her husband Alvin, and her 

daughter Yasmin, who have been her 

greatest supporters. 

MainPoint Real Estate is a full-service 

agency. Whatever your real estate 

needs may be “Let us be your Main- 

Point of contact!” 

Erna DeGraff, BA, BSc, M.R.I.C.S. 

Tel: 441-335-0984. 

Email: mainpointrealestate@gmail.com. 

Website: www.mainpointrealestate.com 

I enjoy working 

for myself. It allows me 

to provide a level of 

service to my clients and 

prospects that I feel they 

will benefit from. It also 

provides me with more 

flexibility to meet my 

clients’ needs.” 

AMBIKA SCOTT, 

MOONGATE 

REALTY 

“I enjoy working for myself. It allows 

me to provide a level of service 

to my clients and prospects that I 

feel they will benefit from. It also 

6 Inspire WOMEN

provides me with more flexibility 

to meet my clients’ needs.” Ambika 

Scott, Moongate Realty. 

Ambika Scott is the Owner 

and Broker of Moongate Realty. 

She’s been a real estate agent for 9 

years, opening Moongate Realty in 

September 2014. Prior to real estate, 

she worked in the corporate sector 

providing accounting services. 

Mrs. Scott says she loves the versality 

that working as a Broker brings. 

“What keeps things interesting is that 

no two days are alike. From showing 

properties and meeting with clients, 

to marketing and photographing 

homes, and administrative duties. 

She considers herself to be a ‘jack of 

all trades’ and takes pride in showcasing 

the properties she represents. 

“Images are the first impressions a 

prospective renter or buyer has. I’ve 

become quite skilled at photographing 

and illuminating Bermuda’s 

homes in their best possible light.” 

She’s also passionate about 

closing deals on behalf of clients, 

assisting prospects with finding the 

perfect property and having the opportunity 

to be up close and personal 

with Bermuda’s housing inventory. 

“When my clients’ needs are met, 

whether it’s from a sales, rental, or 

property management standpoint, 

that’s when I know I’ve provided the 

level of service they deserve.” 

Mrs. Scott says a challenging 

aspect of being a Broker is working 

on a commission basis. “Agents 

spend a lot of time and resources 

working in advance of receiving an 

income. This has taught me about 

the workings of blind faith and the 

famous quote ‘faith without work 

is dead’. I work towards an invisible 

goal daily because I cannot dictate 

or determine when I will sell or rent 

a home or take on a new property 

management client.” 

Aspiring agents should be 

prepared to work hard. She says, “A 

key rule in many real estate books 

is to have 6 – 12 months emergency 

funds set aside in the event you 

don’t close on a property right away 

(this wouldn’t apply to someone 

working on a part-time basis).” She 

also recommends that all agents 

carve out a niche in the industry 

that’ll set them apart from their 

competition. “Each individual has 

their own style and talent. Find out 

what you can do to attract and retain 

clients.” She advises new agents 

not to give up when things are 

challenging. “Keep the end in view 

even during times when it feels like 

there’s no pot of gold or rainbow 

in sight. A career in real estate can 

be rewarding if you’re prepared to 

sacrifice and remain focused.” 

Top tips for homeowners? She 

advises clients to: 

• Write a checklist of your 

ideal home prior to starting 

your search. 

• If you’re not a cash buyer, obtain 

pre-approval so you know what 

price range you should be 

looking in. 

• When you’re ready to start your 

home hunting journey, contact 

Moongate Realty. We can show 

you any home listed for sale - 

island wide. 

• Take your time when choosing 

your perfect home. You want to 

ensure it’s a home you’ll fall in 

love with over and over again. 

“Purchased with sense, paid in 

full and managed with reasonable 

care, real estate is about the 

safest investment in the world.” 

Ambika Scott 

Address: P.O. Box 594, Warwick WK BX 

Tel: 232-2387 

Mobile: 735-2386. 

Email: ascott@moongatebda.com 

Web www.moongatebda.com 

Helping people purchase their first home 

is very rewarding. We help clients from start to 

finish. The whole aspect – the lawyers, the bank, 

everything. I enjoy seeing the excitement and joy 

of clients purchasing a property.” 

JOHNETTE MCNEIL, 

JBM REALTY & ASSOCIATES 

Johnette McNeil is the Owner, 

Broker and Manager of JBM Realty 

& Associates. She’s been in the 

real estate business for 16 years, 

starting out in sales and rentals 

with W.J. Seymour Real Estate. 

“We’re a small company, but we 

have a great team of agents. One 

of our agents, Mr. Phillip Smith, 

is a veteran in the business, with 

over 30 years’ experience. Phillip 

was a great mentor to me when 

I started out in the industry with 

W.J. Seymour.” 

JBM Realty specializes in rentals, 

sales, property management and 

vacation rentals. With a staff of 5 fulltime 

agents and 4 part-time agents, 

Mrs. McNeil manages the daily operation 

of the business plus being out in 

the field. “Owning your own business 

takes lots of time management, afterhours, 

late nights, and early mornings.” 

As a parent of three boys, she 

understands the demands of juggling 

a busy family and says having support 

is essential. “My husband has his own 

alarm system business. However, he is 


there to support me at any time with 

my business as needed.” 

Prior to real estate, she was a 

hairdresser and owned ‘Mane Attractions’ 

salon. When the owners of the 

building decided to turn it back to 

a residential property, Mrs. McNeil 

says she felt it was a good time for a 

change. “I was working in real estate, 

doing hairdressing and getting 

my associates degree at Bermuda 

College. Plus having a family. I look 

back and wonder how did I manage? 

I often asked, ‘what am I doing?’” 

She says she often thought of 

giving up her studies but decided to 

persevere. “When you’ve dedicated 

so many years of time in completing 

classes, I just felt motivated to finish. 

By the grace of God, I achieved my 

goal.” During that time, she says 

she’d be doing hairdressing, running 

to show a property then going 

to class. Real estate eventually took 

over and she decided to make it a 

full-time career. 

Mrs. McNeil says her favourite 

part of the job is sales and the most 

challenging, is keeping up with 

paperwork. “We have administrative 

assistance, but there are some tasks 

that only I can do.” 


Advise to aspiring agents? She 

says “It’s a very gratifying job, knowing 

you’ve helped someone purchase 

or rent their first home. It also has its 

challenges. You receive phone calls, 

text messages, and emails all day 

long. Time management is important 

as well as having a great passion for 

the job. If you enter this field just for 

the money and don’t have a real love 

for it, then it will be a very short-lived 

career.” She also recommends the importance 

of marketing yourself. “You 

have to get out there and sell yourself. 

Don’t be afraid to talk to people. 

You have to put in the hard work to 

see the rewards in this industry.” 

When selling your home, Mrs. 

McNeil says it’s important to stage 

your property. “A home receives the 

most attention from potential buyers 

when it’s first listed. Clear clutter, 

clean and make repairs, putting your 

home’s best foot forward is essential 

for potential buyers.” 

Making your Realty dreams 

a reality! 

Johnette McNeil 

Email: johnette@jbmrealtyandassociates. 

com 

Cell: 441-331-5532, 

Tel: 441-234-2050. 

I love helping people 

make their dreams 

come true! It’s very 

special working with 

a client who’s the first 

in their family to buy 

property or with a 

client seeking to create 

generational wealth 

with real estate.” 

TAMIKA TODD, 

PLATINUM REALTY 

Tamika Todd is the Broker 

and Owner of Platinum Realty. 

Upon opening its doors 

in 2005, she was the youngest 

real estate broker in the 

industry. She brings over 20 

years of real estate experience 

to every client consultation 

and negotiation. Platinum 

Realty specializes in educating 

its sales and rental clients and 

customers, property management, 

and real estate investment. 

Platinum is a global 

agency, assisting clients based 

around the world with real 

estate locally and overseas. 

Ms. Todd’s a past winner 

of the Most Diligent Real Estate 

Agent, Best of Bermuda 

Award. She’s also a certified 

educator, writer, and Board/ 

committee member of 

worthy organizations. Most

importantly, she enjoys living life 

to its fullest! 

Real estate isn’t just about 

selling and renting homes or 

making a commission for this real 

estate maven. “I enjoy the journey 

alongside my clients! Special 

relationships have developed over 

the many years. Helping clients 

meet their goals is my priority. 

I’ve walked away from deals where 

my commission was high, but the 

deal didn’t feel right.” She says 

it’s important for clients to find 

a property that meets their short 

and long-term desires. “I don’t 

want to see a client in a situation 

that isn’t right for them or places 

them in a financial crunch.” 

Prior to real estate, she was an 

Investment Accountant. “While 

working full-time in international 

business, my entrepreneurial 

venture was growing. I made the 

leap to do it full-time. I had clients 

trying to purchase homes. After 

referring many to realtors, I took 

an Agent’s suggestion and sat 

and passed the real estate exam. 

My client list grew. Business grew. 

Platinum Realty was born and grew! 

I never dreamed I’d be where I am 

today! It’s humbling.” 

Coming from a professional 

background in finance, she feels 

it’s important to prepare clients for 

what may be the largest financial 

decision of their life. “I assess my 

client’s current situation. Then, I 

help educate them on the process 

– all the pros and cons, the industry’s 

language, etc. I want clients to 

feel they’re in a safe place to seek 

answers to their questions.” 

Ms. Todd says she loves all 

aspects of real estate. “With vacation 

rentals, I get to showcase 

Bermuda and develop worldwide 

connections. With global investment, 

I enjoy exploring properties 

and cultures around the 

world with my clients.” 

The most challenging part of 

her career is education. She feels 

that professional development 

should be ongoing throughout the 

industry. “As a small place, we have 

to stay on top of things. We’re a 

small nation doing big things. Staying 

relevant and informed is key.” 

Whether purchasing, selling, 

or renting, she advises clients to do 

their homework. “I allot time to get 

answers to my plethora of questions 

in order to help clients through the 

process. As a new buyer or renter 

or a non-seasoned client, your focus 

may differ from your realtors. You 

may be caught up in the staging, the 

landscaping. That’s where a wellversed 

realtor, like myself, comes in.” 

Advice to homebuyers? Ms. Todd 

says, “Do your research. Evaluate 

your reasons for buying. Is it an emotional 

decision? A strategic one?” 

She recommends assessing your 

finances. “It’s one thing to purchase 

a property, it’s another thing to keep 

it. I don’t recommend anyone buy 

or sell when they feel desperate. 

Breathe, reflect, research, then make 

a move.” 

Finally, she stresses the importance 

of self-education. “In tandem 

with Platinum Realty’s educational 

resources, you have the university of 

Google and TedX. Educate yourself; 

gain understanding. I’ll help guide 

you to being prepared for when the 

journey is supposed to happen.” 

Outside of real estate, Ms. 

Todd enjoys spending quality time 

with loved ones, traveling, watching 

sports, reading, and being on 

the water. 

Tamika Todd 

Tel: 441.238.6037. 

Fax: 441.238.6035. 

Email: info@platinumrealty.bm. 

www.platinumrealty.bm. 

Twitter: platinumrealty@bdahomes. 


ONE 

of a 

KIND 

“The property’s natural 

beauty lends itself 

to a holistic wellness 

environment. Our spa, 

located within a natural cave 

with treatment areas on 

floating pontoons, makes us 

one of a kind in the world.” 

— Ms. Sanali McFadden, 

Director of Natura Spa, 

Grotto Bay Beach Resort 

B Y A L I C I A R E S N I K 

Photo Submitted 

Sanali McFadden 


s Sanali McFadden has lived 

and worked around the world. 

Her interest in spa design was 

inspired by her travels in Asia, 

especially India, Bali, Thailand 

& Sri Lanka. With 19 years 

in the industry, she supports 

the philosophy of spa therapies and massage being an 

integral aspect of your wellness regime. 

Originally from Sri Lanka, her career path began 

in the airline industry as a Flight Attendant for Sri 

Lankan Airlines and being a Trainer/Administrator at 

Oman Air and Emirates Airlines. Ready for a change, 

Ms. McFadden enrolled in the Atlanta School of Massage 

(ASM). “I wanted a career more rewarding and 

slower than the busy corporate world, like a Massage 

Therapist.” Massage is part of life in her culture. “I 

remember as kids running around, then getting a massage 

from mom or grandma before our bath time. In 

Sri Lanka, it’s not considered a luxury, it’s integral to 

your well-being.” 

She chose ASM because of their Anatomy and 

Physiology Program. “It felt like being in the first year 

of medical school – we studied the body’s musculature 

in such depth.” After completing the program, she was 

offered a teaching position in the school. While teaching, 

she also maintained a private practice and was 

promoted to Assistant Director of the school’s Spa and 

Wellness Program. “My clients came from many walks 

of life including the Atlanta Braves and the Falcons. 

We dealt with sports related issues with focused clinical 

work as well as relaxation.” While teaching at ASM, she 

was offered the opportunity to create and open a spa 

in Bermuda. She was part of the Samadhi Spa’s design 

team which created the spa at Newstead. “I worked in 

collaboration with the architects. It was designed the 

way I envisioned it, introducing the Asian approach, 

even in the decor. The spa treatments were designed to 

treat the root cause not just the symptoms - the basis of 

Ayurvedic medicine.” 

During her time at Samadhi, she became familiar 

with Grotto Bay. “There was a demand for spa services, 

but they didn’t have a spa, so we sent therapists 

over.” From Samadhi at Newstead, she transitioned to 

Grotto Bay. “Natura Spa started with one make-shift 

spa room.” As demand grew so did the need for space. 

“I saw potential in Prospero’s Cave, and we decided to 

offer massages in the cave with a tent, few lights and a 

CD player. It became a hit.” Needing more space, Mr. 

JP Martens, the General Manager and herself, envisioned 

expansion with floating treatment rooms on the 

lake within the cave. With careful consideration and 

government approval, her dream became reality. “We 

take great care to preserve the cave’s living eco system. 

All products used for treatments are organic with 

natural preservatives. Even the cleaning is done with 

natural products.” 

Ms. McFadden credits the success of the spa to her 

team. “Our spa team consists of mostly local therapists 

and others from places like Bali, Scotland and Jamaica. 

Some came with experience, others straight from 

massage school. They all go through vigorous in-house 

training with emphasis on anatomy, physiology, clinical 

Western and holistic Eastern techniques so they know 

how to treat the body as a whole unit as everything is 

interconnected.” 

As a therapist, Ms. McFadden says education is key. 

“It is important to educate our clients about massage being 

a vital part of preventative health measures. There’s 

a lot more to massage than just fluff, buff and froufrou!” 

Settled among acres of woodland preserve and overlooking 

the azure ocean, Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa, is where you'll 

find a truly all-inclusive Bermudian experience. 

Bermuda’s only resort offering All Inclusive Supplement 

Contact us: reservations@grottobay.com • Local: 1 (441) 293-8333 

Toll Free Reservations ( USA & Canada ): 1 (855) 4GROTTO or 1 (855) 447-6886 


Pow[Her] up at this year’s 

WOMEN IN 

B Y C O L I N A O U T E R B R I D G E , B E D C D ATA & P O L I C Y A N A LY S T 

Photos Submitted 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP 

CONFERENCE 


Every year during 

Global Entrepreneurship 

Week (GEW) 

in November, the 

Bermuda Economic 

Development Corporation 

(BEDC) highlights 

the impact that 

Women have had and 

continue to have on 

entrepreneurship in 

Bermuda. 

Some of the types of events 

that the BEDC has hosted include 

breakfast workshops, luncheons 

and cocktail receptions to highlight 

the contributions of women entrepreneurs 

to the overall development 

of Bermuda’s economy. 

In 2018, the previous efforts 

and events culminated into BEDC 

hosting its first annual Women in 

Entrepreneurship Day conference. 

This event was the result of feedback 

received which saw women asking 

for more. More support, mentorship, 

resources and education.

With support from Butterfield 

Bank, the US Consulate Generals 

Office and HSBC Bermuda, the full 

day Conference, themed “Upgrade 

to ShEO” was held on Friday, November 

16 at Rosewood Tucker’s 

Point in conjunction with Women’s 

Entrepreneurship Day (WED). 

WED is an international campaign 

that intends to educate the world 

on the importance of empowering 

women in business globally. 

Over 200 women attended 

the day-long event that featured 

international guest speakers 

Stacey Ferreira, CEO of Forge, 

and Shelly Bell, founder of Black 

Girl Ventures Foundation, along 

with a panel of eight inspiring local 

speakers including Nishanthi 

Bailey, Tania Kowalski, Christie 

Hunter Arscott, Pamela Barit Nolan, 

Kristin White, Trina Roberts, 

Kidist Emery and Gaynete’ Jones. 

Attendees enjoyed a continental 

breakfast and buffet lunch, 

while spending the day learning 

about topics such as Alternative 

Ways of Funding and Navigating in 

a Male Dominated Industry. Breakout 

sessions included topics such 

as Managing Work Life Balance, 

Leveling Up: Moving to the Next 

Level, Cultivating Connections and 

Developing your Personal Brand. 

The feedback from those that attended 

was that it was an awesome 

experience and people were excited 

about the plans for next year. 

After the excitement and success 

of the event last year, BEDC 

is excited to offer the 2nd Annual 

WED Conference themed 

“Pow[Her]”. Lead coordinator of 

the event Colina Outerbridge, BEDC 

Data Policy Analyst, has formed a 

planning committee with local entrepreneurs 

and businesswomen; Danielle 

Paynter, Gretchen Conyers and 

Alison Corday. Ms. Outerbridge said, 

“We want to be able to cater to more 

participants this year and to step it 

up a notch. The goal is to provide attendees 

with the powHer to achieve 

their goals as entrepreneurs.” 

With a focus on women empowerment, 

the 2019 WED Conference 

will be held on Tuesday, November 

19th at Hamilton Princess. The cost 

of the event will include access to the 

venue, swag bags, continental breakfast, 

lunch, morning and afternoon 

snacks, a vendor pop market experience, 

networking opportunities, and 

it will be followed by a cocktail hour. 

The international component 

will still be a feature of the event with 

an invitation being extended to two 

prominent international speakers 

that have a vast following on social 

media. The international guest 

speakers will be rounded out by our 

local panelists who will be sharing 

their knowledge and experience to 

give attendees the pow[Her] that 

they need to achieve their entrepreneurial 

goals. 

For more information about GEW 

and the WED conference and to purchase 

tickets visit www.bedc.bm, call 292-5570 

or email couterbridge@bedc.bm 


Inspiring Hope 



The best part of my job is the entrepreneurs. They’re 

inspirational! That BEDC gets to play a part in their 

dreams is more than I can imagine. I hope BEDC 

inspires hope for the possibility of what can be.” 

—Mrs. Erica Smith, Executive Director, Bermuda Economic Development Corporation 

Mrs. Erica Smith is the Executive Director 

of the Bermuda Economic Development 

Corporation (BEDC). Assuming 

the position in 2014, she’s responsible 

for overseeing the Corporation’s role 

in developing small and medium-sized businesses, 

through advice, counsel, and financial assistance. 

Educated at Boston University, Howard University, 

and the University of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Smith has a 

bachelor’s degree in architecture, a master’s degree in 

City Planning, a Certificate in Urban Design, a Diploma 

in Supervision and Management, and is a Certified 

Urban Planner. She’s a Board member of Ignite Bermuda 

and of Tomorrow’s Voices – Bermuda Autism 

Early Intervention Centre. 

A self-professed lifelong learner, Mrs. Smith grew 

up wanting to be an architect. “I love spaces, was 

fascinated with construction techniques. At Warwick 

Academy, I took design and technology instead of 

needlework and cooking.” Her love of buildings translates 

to her career. “At BEDC, I’m building systems. 

There’s usefulness in my architectural background – 

when you create spaces you create economic value.” 

Mrs. Smith initially joined BEDC in 2009 as the 

Director of the Economic Empowerment Zones Agency. 

She previously served as the Director of Sustainable 

Development at the Cabinet Office and was the Assistant 

Director of Planning for the Department of Planning. 

“In my role as Director of Sustainable Development 

I worked on a project to regenerate the north end of 

Hamilton. We looked at holistic systems and creating 

balance between social and economic policies.” Mrs. 

Smith sits on the World Heritage Site Management 

Committee and played a role in getting the world heritage 

designation for the Town of St. George’s. “We’re 

working towards merging the town’s historical and cultural 

background with successful economic ventures.” 

BEDC Goals? “I’d like to expand our entrepreneurship 

education offerings so people can access it more 

readily. Access to capital is a continuous goal. We’re 

launching new products – one is a growth micro loan; 

the second is utilizing our loan guarantee product 

creatively to help entrepreneurs purchase commercial 

property; third is growing our Incubator Program. Personally, 

I’ve been at BEDC 

for 10 years. I’m thinking 

about my next adventure. 

Before I leave, I want 

to share and impart my 

knowledge with the next 

generation of leaders.” 


BERMUDA 

BUSINESS 

STARTS 

HERE 

{ 

The Bermuda Economic Development 

Corporation is Bermuda’s source of 

FREE, CONFIDENTIAL 

BUSINESS ADVICE, 

with a singular focus to actively assist 

{ 

the development of a strong, 

well-managed, and prosperous local 

business sector in Bermuda. The 

organisation’s key objective remains to 

assist the Government in encouraging 

economic growth for Bermuda’s local 

small and medium sized businesses. 

Sofia House, 48 Church Street, Hamilton 

(441) 292 5570 / www.bedc.bm / info@bedc.bm 

{ 

”The BEDC is a wealth of knowledge 

for entrepreneurs that also need 

support along the way for many 

reasons. The help doesn’t end when 

the funding is done. It continues – and 

that’s what business owners need.” 

- Kidist Emery, 

Salon Pink 

We provide a wide variety of 

EDUCATIONAL & 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT 

programs that will help you take your 

{ 

business to the next level. BEDC has direct 

access to many organizations, professional 

groups and Government departments 

that enable us to ensure that the advice 

provided is accurate and up-to-date. 

For a full list of our programs, courses, 

and products, please visit our website, 

{ www.bedc.bm 

{

At King Edward VII Memorial 

Hospital and the Mid-Atlantic 

Wellness Institute (MWI), staff 

are committed to providing 

safe, high-quality, peoplecentered, 

compassionate care. 

As Bermuda’s only hospital, 

ensuring every patient gets 

the best possible care is 

the best way of maintaining 

and supporting a healthy 

community. 

At 

Your 

ervice 




Yukio S wan 

understands this accountability the hospital 

owes the community. As the Bermuda Hospitals 

Board (BHB) patient relations manager she 

works on behalf of the hospital with patients. 

She’s the person to contact if you had a great 

experience during a test, procedure or other 

hospital service, or if you have a complaint. 

Yukio has a bachelor of arts degree in 

health studies. “The programme covered a wide 

range of healthcare quality modules including 

performance measurement,” she says. “In fact, 

taking this course piqued my interest in quality 

improvement in healthcare.” 

A summer student internship in the Quality 

& Risk Department at BHB cemented this interest 

for Yukio. After graduation she worked as the 

front desk receptionist at Northshore Medical 

and Aesthetics Center (2015—2016) and was 

promoted to practice administrator in 2016. In 

September 2017 she joined the Quality & Risk 

Department in her current position. 

“I receive compliments, questions, 

suggestions and complaints and facilitate 

the appropriate communications between 

BHB care providers and service providers 

to ensure that concerns and queries are 

adequately addressed,” she says. “I also ensure 

that compliments reach the appropriate 

departments and individuals.” 

Yukio shares the feedback with the relevant 

leaders at BHB enabling them to make recommendations 

and implement changes that improve 

services. Yukio works closely in her team 

and often presents recommendations to leaders 

on how to improve services. 

“I genuinely want everyone in our community 

to be able to have their voices heard 

if they have encountered an issue or just 

want to genuinely share their appreciation,” 

she says. “It’s why I feel my job is important. 

I act as the conduit for the community to access 

those who help to make decisions about 

their care; and the care of their loved ones at 

our two hospitals.” 

Issues patients and the public raise vary 

greatly and are not necessarily clinical. Patients 

and sometimes family members complain that 

they cannot watch their favourite cable TV 

channel. No matter the concern or compli- 

I act as the 

conduit for the 

community to 

access those who 

help to make 

decisions about 

their care. 

ment, Yukio maintains the 

hospital’s strict patient confidentiality 

policy. 

“We welcome feedback and 

questions if you have not had 

success with reaching our first 

points of contact, for example 

our unit and departmental 

managers,” says Yukio. “You can email feedback@ 

bhb.bm or call 239-1425 if you have a comment 

about any hospital service either at KEMH or MWI.” 

“As I manage challenging matters in my day to 

day work, I know it’s important to make sure that 

I also pay attention to my physical, emotional and 

mental health,” says Yukio. “I have a full workload 

but make a point to create time for my outside 

interests like circuit training and travelling. Keeping 

my work/private life balanced better equips me in 

managing every aspect of my life.” 

Ambulance: 911 • Emergency Department: 239-2009 • bermudahospitals.bm 


SINGLE 

PARENTS 

HOW DO YOU DEFINE 

YOUR SUCCESS? 

eing a single parents 

often presents unique 

challenges, especially 

in the financial arena. 

After all, raising kids 

does not come cheap. 

Learning to balance 

competing financial 

demands can be one of the biggest 

challenges for single parents. Here 

are some suggestions that can help 

you get there. 

Get covered. 

Your kids see you as a superhero 

because that is exactly what you are 

to them. You are the one who keeps 

them safe and provides what they 

need. Suppose something were to 

happen to you and your ability to 

earn a living. Do you have a safety 

net to fall back on? Have you ever 

considered purchasing Life Insurance? 

Life Insurance is a serious 

B Y J E S S I C A M A I AT O 


subject that many people are afraid 

to talk about. Many people fail to 

realise the protection that a Life Insurance 

policy provides. As a mum, 

the most important thing you want 

to ensure is that your children are 

taken care of mentally, physically, 

and, above all, financially. 

There are two main types of 

life insurance: term and permanent, 

i.e. whole life. Term life is 

designed to cover you for only 

the specific number of years for 

which you think you will need life 

insurance, such as while your kids 

are growing up. A term policy can 

cover you for a certain period, 

such as for ten or twenty years, and 

will pay out if you die during this 

period. It provides families with 

financial security and protection 

they may otherwise lack. It is also 

the least expensive option. For less 


than $20 a month, you can secure 

a twenty-year term policy valued 

at $250,000. Whole life insurance 

is a type of permanent policy that 

will cover you for your entire life; it 

also includes a savings component 

known as “cash value”. After years 

of growth, you can borrow against 

the cash value or cancel the policy 

for the cash value. 

Permanent life insurance is 

more expensive and complicated 

than term life. The important thing 

is to choose the right fit for your 

budget and your needs. Over the 

years, your needs, your family situation, 

and your life goals will change. 

Life Insurance is designed to meet 

your temporary or long-term needs. 

Remember that you are never too 

young to buy life insurance! 

Make a spending plan. 

When was the last time you took 

a look at how much money you 

spend? My favourite approach to 

budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule – 

although it is more of a guideline 

than a rule. 50% of your takehome 

pay would go to needs, 30% 

to wants, and 20% to the future 

“You”. If that breakdown sounds 

unrealistic for you right now, that 

is 100% OK. Everything you spend 

should be accounted for as a real 

and tangible expense. Just as rent 

or mortgage and utility payments 

come due every month, Christmas 

and birthday presents are bought 

once every year. Try to get into the 

habit of accounting for everything 

you spend. 

Because everything rests on 

your shoulders, there is a lot of 

planning involved in securing your 

future and that of your children. 

Savings are just as important; in 

fact, they are critical. Every family, 

single-parent or otherwise, needs 

several months’ worth of income 

in savings in case of an emergency. 

A parent can lose her/his job or 

suffer from a long-term illness or 

disability. These savings are fundamental 

for your children, who will 

hopefully want to go to university. 

Model good money habits. 

Some studies show that kids’ 

financial habits solidify as early as 

age eleven. It has also been shown 

that parents tend to teach their 

sons and daughters early about 

money. Sons are taught to build 

wealth, and daughters are taught to 

be “responsible” with their money. 

Educate them on the importance 

of money and how it is earned. 

Engage your child, especially teenagers, 

in day-to-day chores. Initiate 

the practice of allocating a monthly 

budget for them to manage independently. 

Additionally, make sure 

you educate them about online 

banking, and creating and sticking 

to a budget. The time to start teaching 

kids about money management, 

and the power of money, is now. 

Save for emergencies. 

“The unexpected will always be 

unknown,” is my daily motto. 

Financial emergencies are a matter 

of when, not if. Aim to save at least 

$50-100 a month, if your budget 

allows, so that you can build your 

emergency fund quickly. Alternatively, 

you could try to secure three 

to six months’ worth of take-home 

pay, saved in a separate account. 

Beyond an emergency-savings 

plan, a goal-based savings plan can 

help to make these things happen. 

Saving money with only one 

income is not always easy, but a 

solid budget plan can help you to 

discover inefficient spending habits, 

which lets you take control and 

put that money to better use. Even 

small changes add up monthly. 

Set goals, but do not rob your 

retirement. 

This is that “put on your own 

oxygen mask before helping others” 

thing. Once you have your 

financial basics in place, you are 

probably going to find yourself 

with several, possibly conflicting, 

and financial goals. A big dilemma 

we often hear from single mums is 

retirement vs. saving for university. 

While helping your kids with the 

cost of higher education someday is 

an excellent goal, here is the truth: 

student loans and scholarships 

exist. Loans and scholarships for 

retirement do not exist! Therefore, 

your biggest long-term investing 

priority should almost always be 

your own retirement. 

As a single mum, you know the 

importance of money and accumulating 

savings. This is the reason 

why single mums are working terribly 

hard from morning to evening 

in order to provide for their 

children. Finding an answer to the 

question ‘How do I save money?’ 

can seem impossible, even for the 

hardest-working single mums. But 

take some time and think about 

your current spending habits. Take 

advantage of these money-saving 

tips and see your budget consistently 

improve over time. 

Jessica Maiato 

is a Life Insurance 

Sales Agent at 

Freisenbruch-Meyer. 

She is a talented 

sales professional 

who builds loyalty 

and long term 

relationships with 

her customers. 

Contact her on 

294-4618 for a 

free consultation. 


SHE 

B 

Leads 

On Friday, July 5th, 24 young women completed 

the first ever SHE LEADS: A Real World Readiness 

Programme after a week of guided workshops, 

inspiring speakers and personal reflection. This 

ground-breaking public/private partnership was 

offered to students from BHS, The Berkeley Institute 

and Cedarbridge Academy in their penultimate year 

of high school through sponsorship from HSBC. 

Y B E R M U D A H I G H 

S C H O O L F O R G I R L S 

week-long programme 

The taught the girls tools, 

frameworks and mindsets necessary 

for them to take ownership 

of their education, employment 

and beyond. HSBC’s Community 

Investment Manager, Clesia Pachai, 

shared “Both HSBC Group and 

HSBC Bermuda have provided funding 

to ensure the successful execution 

of this programme. The She 

Leads Programme is a good example 

of HSBC’s strategic investment to 

support charities which focus on the 

bank’s ‘Future Skills’ pillar offering 

programmes around ‘employability’ 

and ‘financial capabilities’ to our 

community. These initiatives, aim to 

empower and equip members of our 

community to secure employment 

and manage their monies effectively, 

starting with our young people.” 

At the start of the programme 

some of the students were shy and 

hesitant about what was ahead, 

but by the end of the week the 


transformation in the young women 

was visible to all. During the course 

of the week, they heard from a 

diverse group of 16 women from the 

local community who shared their 

stories and advice in order to inspire. 

Suzanne Khan spoke on the first day 

about how to make decisions today 

which will shape tomorrow, Jasmine 

DeSilva impressed upon the girls 

about the importance of prioritising 

self-care. On day two, they received 

practical financial advice from 

Nicola Bromby in a special seminar 

hosted onsite by HSBC, and on the 

Wednesday, they spent a few hours 

at Argus with the dynamic women of 

the newly formed WeSpeak organisation 

and learned invaluable public 

speaking skills. After an hour of 

hands-on coaching, every single girl 

took a courageous risk and stood 

up in the room to give a short 30 

second “speech” on what they had 

learned that day, prompting Wendy 

Davis-Johnson, Chief Communications 

& Culture Officer, Hamilton 

Insurance Group to declare, “Today 

I learned that the future of Bermuda 

is in good hands!” 

For the latter part of the week, 

workshops included “Nerves and 

Networking”, “Making Money and 

Changing the World Doing What 

You Love” by young Bermudian 

entrepreneur Gaynete Jones, and 

“Leading by Example: How to 

Redefine Risks and Bounce Back 

from Failure”. Each workshop was 

specifically designed to speak to a 

need that young women today have, 

and to teach them coping skills for 

stress, boost their confidence and 

strengthen their resilience. 

For their final presentations, 

parents, family members, staff from 

BHS, The Berkeley Institute and 

Cedarbridge Academy, Commissioner 

of Education, Kalmar Richards 

and Minister of Education, The 

Hon. Diallo Rabain, J.P., M.P. were 

all in attendance at the Harbourview 

HSBC location. Head of BHS, Linda 

Parker, welcomed invited guests 

and stated, “It is so important for 

our young women from BHS, The 

Berkeley Institute and Cedarbridge 

Academy to be able to network, 

collaborate and learn from each 

other. This public/private partnership 

is a win-win for all of the young 

women and has solidified a sisterhood 

between each young woman. 

Thank you to the young women for 

maintaining their high level of interest 

and engagement throughout the 

week. Through their daily reflection 

and reporting out, it is evident that 

this experience has been one that is 

life changing.” 

The girls presented their 

group and personal projects, and 

at the end they were each invited 

to describe their main takeaway 

from the week. Common themes 

included a realisation of how 

important it is for young women 

to support each other and build 

each other up, to be less selfcritical, 

the importance of self-care 

and the joy at the new friends and 

connections that they had made. 

Makailah Nisbett of Cedarbridge 

said, “My main takeaway from this 

programme is to stop convincing 

myself that I can’t do something 

and to say that I can, and to say yes 

more often.” Iannah Caines from 

BHS said “This week has been 

powerful to see how all of us can 

connect and come together as a 

female community.” 

The exclusive programme 

curriculum was developed by BHS 

alumna, Christie Hunter Arscott, 

who is a strategic advisor on gender 

issues. It was specifically tailored to 

how girls learn and provided a safe 

place for the girls to take risks and 

build their confidence and skill sets. 

Christie noted, “It has been amazing 

to watch the transformation of these 

young women, even within this short 

programme. So many of them have 

come out of their shells, conquered 

fears, tackled self-doubt head on 

and made meaningful connections 

with other young women from 

across the schools.” 

Having completed the course, 

the students will now share the 

course materials and topic guides 

with their peers in their respective 

schools. This unique student-tofacilitator 

progression means that 

more young women will be able 

to benefit from the course materials, 

and it will give participants an 

additional opportunity to deepen 

their learning, develop their leadership 

skills and put those skills into 

practice. The girls will also meet 

up throughout the school year for 

further workshops and to foster the 

connections and network they created 

during the week. 

After this successful pilot of 

the SHE LEADS programme, it is 

anticipated that another week will be 

offered in the summer of 2020. For 

more information on the programme 

please contact sheleads@bhs.bm 


Inspiring Excellence 

and Leadership 

Hello world 

I am curious 

I am determined 

I am creative 

I am strong 

I am kind 

I am a leader 

I am a BHS graduate 

I am ready. 

With a BHS education, you will 

be prepared for whatever path 

you choose. 

You will join a network of 

accomplished alumni and your 

knowledge and self-assurance 

will take you wherever you 

want to go. 

For more information, please contact 

the Director of Admissions and Inclusion, 

Mrs. Kurte Loescher: kloescher@bhs.bm or 278-3047 

www.bhs.bm 


Show Yourself 

a Little 

Love 

How to Bust Out of 

a Hyperactive Lifestyle 

B Y C H R I S TA 

M E L N Y K H I N E S 

As the chief director of 

your family’s universe, 

you’re the pulse-point 

of the home. But if that 

means you’re struggling under the 

mantle of an unforgiving schedule, 

now is the time to re-evaluate. Your 

health depends on it. 

When nine-months pregnant 

with her fourth child, Nefertari 

Williams suffered a life-threatening 

heart attack that forced her to reassess 

her chaotic lifestyle. 

Like many moms, 34-year-old 

Williams’s daily routine included 

getting her children ready for 

school before heading to her fulltime 

job working with cognitively 

and physically disabled preschoolers. 

After work, she would help her 

with homework and then taxied 

them to dance, karate, swimming 

and singing practices. 

In addition, she sold cosmetics 

and her handmade jewelry. 

Squeezed into her schedule were 

visits to the nursing home to see 

her mother, who had suffered a 

massive stroke. Her husband, who 

worked nights, managed the family’s 

laundry. 

Williams blames her exhausting 

schedule for contributing to her 

heart attack, which was caused by a 

spontaneous coronary artery dissection 

(SCAD). 

According to the American 

Heart Association, SCAD typically 

affects young women who are 

otherwise healthy. Thirty percent 

of the time, the condition, which 

is a spontaneous tearing in the 

coronary artery wall, SCAD does 

not have any warning signs, making 

it hard to diagnose prior to a 

heart attack. 

Overcommitment health 

risks. Besides heart disease, 

chronic stress can lengthen the 

recovery time from illness and 

fuel other long-term health problems, 

like obesity, irritable bowel 

syndrome, high blood pressure, 

insomnia, headaches, depression 

and even infertility. 

A hectic lifestyle could also 

make conception more difficult, 

says Elle Griffin, a natural fertility 

expert and feminine vitality coach. 

Moderate exercise. Exercise in 

moderation can help relieve stress, 

but Griffin warns that overtaxing 

an already stressed body with too 

much strenuous exercise can increase 

the stress hormone cortisol. 

“High levels of circulating 

stress hormones can impair adrenal 

function, resulting in brain fog, 

lethargy and the dreaded ‘pregnant 

belly’ even if you are not with 

child,” she says. “Some women even 

start losing their hair.” 

How can you better manage your 

busy lifestyle? 

Prioritize. Make a list of everything 

you do. Decide which items can be 

eliminated or delegated to others. Can 

you limit your kids’ activities to one 

per season? Can your kids fold and put 

away laundry? 

“After nearly losing my life, I have 

learned what’s important which is my 

love of my God and my family,” Williams 

says. “My family is happy because 

I am here with them. They don’t miss 

the hyperactive lifestyle at all.” 

Pursue pleasure. Integrate 

activities into your day that bring you 

personal joy. 

Try out a new recipe, engage in 

a favorite craft, read a book or take 

a nap. Or plan to do nothing at all. 

Schedule “me time” in your calendar 

if necessary. 

Practice saying no. Avoid adding 

any new commitments to your 

schedule. If an opening appears on 

the calendar, try not to fill the space by 

obliging someone else. 

Think you can afford to wait to 

rein in your hyperactive lifestyle? Start 

making any necessary changes now. 

Christa Melnyk Hines is a freelance 

journalist and author of Confidently Connected: 

A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying 

Social Life, a resource for moms seeking 

a more balanced social life that supports 

their emotional health. 


B Y D R . AY E S H A 

P E E T S -TA L B O T 


Prepare Your Body For 

PREGNANCY: 

id you know that 1 in 7 couples will experience 

difficulties getting pregnant? In the 

U.K., that equates to over 3.5 million 

people of childbearing age. If a couple is 

fortunate enough to conceive, they could 

also be faced with pregnancy complications. 

Sometimes, the pregnancy complications 

are a result of health problems that can arise during 

a pregnancy while other times difficulties are related 

to health challenges that exist prior to pregnancy. These 

complications, which can range from mild to severe, 

could involve the mother’s health, baby’s health, or both. 

Per the Center for Disease Control (CDC), severe maternal 

complications are steadily increasing and in the U.S. 

affect more than 50,000 women every year. As a medical 

physician, it’s not uncommon for a woman to share her 

struggles with infertility as well as the emotions associated 

with a successful pregnancy. Once finally pregnant, 

mothers often spend most of their pregnancy being 

closely monitored in the hospital or at home, and later, 

perhaps deliver a baby who’s health is either directly or 

indirectly affected by complications associated with the 

mother’s health problems. The CDC attributes the rise 

in pregnancy complications to several factors including 

increases in maternal age, pre-pregnancy obesity, pre-existing 

chronic medical conditions, and cesarean delivery. 

I, too experienced infertility and noted that the lifestyle 

changes that I implemented helped me immensely in 

completing healthy pregnancies with healthy babies (I 

have 3 now!). I hope you find these tips helpful…. 

• Tip #1 

Decrease Your Sugar Intake - Too much sugar can cause 

an imbalance in your hormones. For women, this often 

means a decrease in estrogen and an increase in testosterone. 

Too much sugar can also increase inflammatory 

markers in the body, which can also interfere with getting 

pregnant or maintaining pregnancy. Sometimes, even if you 

are eating a ‘healthy’ diet, you might still consume too many 

carbohydrates. It may be helpful to take the time to learn 

what carbohydrate are and track what you’re eating accordingly. 

A nutritionist can help you with understanding your 

diet and how much carbohydrates you’re getting, adjusting 

your diet as necessary. 

This may be all you need to 

avoid infertility and have a 

healthy pregnancy 

• Tip #2 

Increase your consumption of vegetables and fruits – This 

advice has been thrown around a lot for many good reasons. I 

am going to give you my favorite reason to love your Veggies 

if you are planning on conceiving. Having 10-12 servings of 

vegetables and about 1-2 servings of fruits per day helps with 

your hormone balance! Vegetables increase the hormones 

that benefit your body and get rid of the hormones that don’t. 

To overcome my infertility issues, I started to have vegetables 

at every meal. I would usually start my day with a Smoothie 

packed with green veggies and then incorporate them into my 

lunch and dinner, perhaps having fruit as a snack. 

• Tip #3 

Do a Medical Detoxification - Listen, this is a must do particularly 

if you are over 30 and thinking about having a baby. 

Over the years, toxins will build up in your body. Your body 

is capable of detoxing daily, with some people being able to 

do this more efficiently than others. However, when you are 

ready to grow a baby in your womb, it’s a good idea to have 

your body as clean as possible. Consider doing a medical detoxification 

program with a Functional Medicine Practitioner. 

They can help make sure that your body is being supported 

through the detox process so that you avoid making yourself 

sick. You also want to make sure you do a detox well before 

you get pregnant, so that you are not affecting the baby and/ 

or the pregnancy. 

• Tip #4 

Increase Water Intake – Water is essential for all cells in your 

body. Water dramatically improves your health by promoting 

detoxification. Without ample water, the body has to work 

harder to complete the same functions, therefore, taxing and 

aging your system. The amount of water you need depends 

on your weight, activity level, and where you live. A good rule 

of thumb is to drink ½oz to 1oz of water for each pound you 

weigh. For example, if you weigh 150lbs then you should drink 


• Tip #7 

Have a proper Hormone Health Assessment Done - I’m sure 

you’ve gotten the point by now that having good hormone health 

is essential to fertility and having a healthy pregnancy and baby. 

So this next tip is a no-brainer; if you are thinking about getting 

pregnant or having difficulty in getting pregnant, having a 

complete hormone testing that looks at your adrenal hormones, 

thyroid hormones, and female/male hormones can pick up any 

imbalances. Once you are aware of any hormone deficiencies or 

imbalances, you can then work to fix them to improve fertility. 

• Tip #8 

Take Prenatal Vitamins - Often women start taking prenatal vitamins 

once they find out that they are pregnant. However, to avoid 

certain birth defects and to improve your fertility, it is advised that 

you start supplementing with prenatal vitamins at least a year 

before you get pregnant. So, if you are of childbearing age and 

are considering having children in the future, getting started with 

your vitamins is something that is highly beneficial that you don’t 

have to wait on. 

Resources…. 

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/ 

pregnancy-complications.html 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/ 

75oz to 150oz per day. If you are exercising or live in a warm 

climate, you should aim for the higher end of water intake. 

• Tip #5 

Exercise Your Pelvic Floor and Core Abdominal Muscles - 

There are two main muscle groups that take a hit during the 

pregnancy and delivery phases. These are your abdominal 

muscles and your pelvic floor muscles, which essentially 

support all your abdominal organs including your uterus. Be 

sure to strengthen these muscle groups as a way of physically 

preparing your body to carry a baby for 9-10 months. 

There are several ways that you can work on getting these 

muscles stronger such as Yoga and Pilates. 

• Tip #6 

De-Stress - Stress in your life will negatively affect your 

hormones. A woman whose body is under stress will have 

a hard time getting or staying pregnant, because having 

high stress hormones is a signal to the body that this is not 

a good time to have a baby. Your body will use more energy 

dealing with the stressors than prioritizing your womb to 

be the ideal home for a baby. Remember there are several 

types of stress including chemical stressors, mental/emotional 

stressors, nutritional stressors, and physical stressors. 

It’s important to take time to reflect on areas in your life that 

you could be experiencing stress and make a conscious effort 

to reduce your overall stress. 

“ 

Holistic Pediatrics uses a mind-body spirit approach to 

wellness. Band-aids are still great for 'Boo-Boos', but Bandaid 

medicine should be left in the past. Healthy Kids are 

Happy Kids - I've developed an integrative holistic 

approach to help you get them there! I want to share with 

you my Top 5 Immune Boosting Tips to support your child's 

immune system. 

“ 

Visit www.orwkids.com TODAY to get your free copy of 

my immune boosting tips. 

Dr. Peets Talbot, Holistic 

295-5100 

Pediatrician and Internist 

oceanrockwellness. com

Inspire Women Fall 2019

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