• How did you come up with the name Younicorn Girl?

I always wanted my business name to have something to do with unicorns, then I thought it was cool to use y-o-u at the beginning.

• What inspired you to start your own business and become a kid-preneur?

 Well it all started with Bermuda, in Bermuda we have a lot of hair products but none of them are all organic or just for kids. I also think we should be able to read the ingredients. I want to be a kid-preneur because I love owning my own business and I like the idea of helping people.

• What does the term “kid-preneur” mean to you?

A kid owning their own business.

• Why organic hair products and how are they important for kids & teens?

They’re important for children and people in general because you need to know what’s going in and on your body. Chemicals are not good.

• How are the products made? What other products can we look forward to?

The products are made at my home in Bermuda with the help of my mom and step dad when I do big batches. I use all organic ingredients, and my shea butter is 100% raw and organic from Ghana made by widows to assist with their needs and the needs of their village.

In the near future, I will like to make scrubs, books and games for kids and teens. I want to help their minds and bodies.

• Any advice for kids like you that are looking to start their own business?

You should make the time.  Put time aside and effort to do your best work.

• What are your plans for your future? What do you hope to achieve?

I’d love to do more speaking events and events where I can sell my products. I’d also like to eventually put my products into local stores as well.

YounicornGirl.com 

Instagram: @younicorngirl

Facebook: @theyounicorngirl

Email: [email protected]

This article was originally published in the 2019 edition of the RG Kids Magazine.

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The festival’s production company; Savvy Entertainment announced that this year they will be adding a new show to the week-long festival. The All-Star Designer Showcase will feature some of Bermuda’s lead fashion designers and industry professionals for the ultimate clash of the titan’s runway showcase.

“It’s amazes me that it’s been 10 years already. It has truly gone by so fast and I’ve loved every minute of organising this Festival. To see where we started out and now experience where we are as a recognised fashion event in the fashion community truly warms my heart”, says Executive Producer and Savvy COO, Danilee Trott.

“The City of Hamilton is delighted to once again be the host of what is this year, the 10th Anniversary of the Bermuda Fashion Festival. Over the past 9 years this Festival has become an event of extremely high standards. It continues to bring international models and designers of outstanding talent to the island, while also providing opportunities for our local fashion enthusiasts. This has become an event worthy of international acclaim with previous participants having launched their careers from the Festival runway and on to other parts of the globe.

This year the City partnered with Savvy Entertainment who is manning the reins of the organization and execution of the event. I have no doubt that this year’s event will surpass the previous ones in calibre, excitement, glitz and glamour. The City’s ‘vision’ states that we will be a ‘vibrant’ one and events such as the Bermuda Fashion Festival serve to fulfil that so we hope that our local community as well as visitors to Bermuda embrace the opportunity to come out and support our homegrown designers and models and experience the high-fashion collections and array of social events that will be showcased”, says Mayor Charles Gosling.

This year’s festival will once again feature Bermuda’s emerging fashion designers. Selected designers recently started the Bermuda Designer Mentorship Program which pairs them with international fashion designers, stylists, TV personalities and overall industry experts. The 10-year anniversary Bermuda Designer Showcase will feature:

• Charda Simons & Kimmisha Perinchief; Street Lux

Mentor: Mickey Freeman; fashion designer & stylist

• Chineza Augustus; Sevhun

Mentor: Lisa Nicole Cloud; fashion designer and TV personality

• Christine Jones; Thirty86 Clothing

Mentor: Thomas LaVone; fashion designer

• James Lee; XoeTiqu

Mentor: Melissa Leach; fashion designer and industry expert

• Courtney Chiappa; SubTropic

Mentor: Ken Laurence; Project Runway fashion designer

• Channing Dill; Nativeby Channing Elizabeth

Mentor: Adolfo Sanchez; fashion designer

Event Producers thanked sponsors and partners including, title sponsor of the Bermuda Fashion Festival the City of Hamilton, Maybelline, L’Oréal, iHope Global, Salon Pink, JaKoMa, Great Sound, Evian, SJD World and C & C Beauty.

The Bermuda Fashion Festival will hold its official call for models this week. Auditions for adults are scheduled to take place on March 14th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm and March 17th 11am – 3pm at the lower level of the Pier 6 complex. Children can audition on Saturday, March 16^thfrom 11am to 3pm.

For more questions please email [email protected] or call 300-1335.

The post Celebrating 10 Years: Bermuda Fashion Festival appeared first on RG Magazines.

• What was your vision behind Xtreme Sports & how did it come to fruition?

In 2014, I was on a train in England, looking out the window and I saw people playing Bubble Football. I had watched a few clips of it on social media, but seeing it first hand, I thought it would be something cool to bring to Bermuda.

Once I started researching Bubble Football, I came across other similar games. From there I began brainstorming about how it could become a viable business opportunity in Bermuda.  June 2015, I started Xtreme Sports, with Bubble Football.  The vision from the beginning was to bring new, exciting games and attractions for the Bermudian public to enjoy.

• Xtreme Sports Games has become a must-attend annual event on the island — what goes into putting on such a successful event?

There’s a lot of behind the scenes work; meeting with sponsors, coordinating teams, advertising and marketing, ordering supplies, working with vendors, working with location staff, and the list goes on. But to be honest, now that these relationships have been developed, it is a lot easier to plan.

We wouldn’t be able to put on the event like this without the help of our team and all of the volunteers. They are the real MVPs. Lastly, it’s about executing and thinking on your feet on the day itself. As much as you plan, nothing ever goes according to plan 100%, so it’s about adapting.

• You’ve recently announced that Xtreme Sports will have a permanent home, a fun zone coming this year— what can you tell us?

I’ve been advised by my marketing team not to reveal too much! But what I can say is that I’m incredibly excited and proud to have our own permanent location. It’s been a long road, as we’ve been at this for about two years, and we’re almost there, in terms of opening.

The vision behind the location is to provide the Bermudian public of all ages with some much-needed fun and entertainment. The best thing to do is to follow our social media accounts so that you can get all of the announcements as they come out.

• How has your experience been owning a business as a young entrepreneur in Bermuda?

Overall, I would say good, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. There have been plenty of ups and downs along the way, but they’ve all helped to shape the company and me.

When you first start a business, one of the driving factors is making money, but that quickly dropped down the list of priorities. Seeing customers having fun, helping to create memories and being able to offer young Bermudians with job opportunities, are the sorts of things that are most rewarding for me.

• What advice can you give to those young people thinking about starting their own business?

Go for it! Obviously, do your research and due diligence beforehand, but if it seems feasible and you believe in your idea, don’t hesitate. People are often scared because they are stuck with thoughts like “What if it goes wrong?”, but on the other hand, what if it goes right?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of useful resources available such as other business owners and the Bermuda Economic Development Agency. Build those relationships and use them to your advantage.

Lastly, you have to have tough skin. There will be naysayers, angry customers, etc., but you have to remember to learn from your mistakes and keep the end in view. Don’t be so quickly discouraged if something goes wrong, it’s all a part of the learning process.

• What do you have coming up in the next few months? Plans for the future?

Much of the focus will be on the Xtreme Sports Games, being held on April 13th, as well as the build-up and launch of the Fun Zone. I’m sure there will be some teething pains when the Fun Zone initially opens, but once we’re up and running, expect a lot more from us. The Fun Zone gives us way more flexibility with what we can do, so I’m sure the will be lots going on. Keep an eye out for that!

@xtremesportsbmd & @funzonebmd on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter / www.xtremesportsbmd.com / [email protected]

This article was originally published in the February 2019 edition of the RG Business Magazine.

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A platform for the black voice

Alfred Brownlow “A.B.” Place was the founding publisher of the Bermuda Recorder and its driving force for 45 years. He established the newspaper “in the interest of the coloured people of Bermuda.” Naysayers predicted the newspaper would fold within six months, but it survived for half a century and had a lasting impact.

Place was the youngest of 12 children. He left school at age 13 and became an apprentice printer at the Bermuda Colonist–  which would merge with The Royal Gazette in 1921.

Place eventually decided that it was time that black Bermudians had a newspaper of their own. He received backing tangible backing, raising £750 for the idea. Place purchased a printing press. Working with an editor and a typesetter, and with himself in the role of manager, printer and ad man—he set up operations in a one-room building on Angle Street.

The first issue, “a four-page sheet”, hit the streets on July 18, 1925. By the time of its 10th anniversary, The Recorderhad become a 12-page broadsheet.

Place worked seven days a week, and at its highest point, presided over a staff of eight. Still, being a black publisher in segregated Bermuda was a challenge because powerful whites who dominated the government and business were reluctant to support Place.

Despite the obstacles, Place was able to provide for his family. The Places lived for many years at Ewing Street, Hamilton, within walking distance of The Recorder. They later moved to Cavendish Heights, becoming the first black family to own a house in the area.

Despite the demands of publishing, Place had a full life outside of work. He played cricket and golf and was a founding member of Ocean View Golf Club. He had a dignified bearing and was known for his elegant attire.

In 1969, Place was honoured by the Bermuda Business and Professional Women’s Club and in 1974, was a recipient of the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour.

A.B. died on November 11, 1986, a month before his 93th birthday. His legacy survives at Government’s Department of Communication and Information A. B. Place Media Room, which Premier Ewart Brown established in 2008 as a venue for Government press conferences. In 2013, he was honoured by the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Emancipation Committee.

Most issues from July 1933 to July 1975 are available on microfilm at the Bermuda National Library and can be viewed digitally on the Bermuda National Library website, www.bnl.bm.

Source: bermudabiographies.com

The post Black History Month – Alfred Brownlow “A.B.” Place appeared first on RG Magazines.

Gifting

Purchase locally made gifts

Support your community and our economy by shopping at local retailers that sell locally made items — BermuniTees, Bermuda Candle Company, Della Valle Sandals or Davidrose Jewelry to name a few.

Sustainable giving

• Consider gifting all natural, organic items made from renewable materials. Some notable local retailers are Salt + Cedar, Cassine and Naked Zero.
• Gift with value, purpose or meaning to avoid accumulating unnecessary items that will go unused. For example, give money to a local charity in your loved ones name or give them money to put towards something they truly need, like starting a new business, groceries or even a utility bill.

Secret santa or “Gift-go-round”

To decrease spending, stress and waste, have each person in your family write down their name and a three item Christmas list (price limit optional) then have them pick a name out of a bowl or hat at random. The name you pick is who you buy for!

Re-gifting

Instead of throwing away unwanted presents, re-gift them to people you know will love them. Take off the gift tag, rewrap it and avoid re-gifting within the same circle of family members or friends.

Use environmentally friendly wrapping paper

Instead of buying rolls of glossy or metallic gift wrap, choose fabric, newspaper, old maps, blueprints, books, posters and other reusable, recyclable materials.

Decorating

Live potted tree

Avoid purchasing artificial trees that are made from plastics, toxins and other non-recyclables and opt for a live one instead. Support local gardens and re-pot for longer use.

Low impact holiday lighting

Reduce your carbon footprint by using energy-efficient LED lighting for outdoor displays, mini LED lights indoor for house & tree lighting. Make sure turn lights off at bedtime!

Homemade and Handmade

Create your own ornaments, decorations and holiday cards from scrap paper and materials saved throughout the year — you can even get the kids to help for a fun arts and crafts project!

Holiday dinner

 Choose organic, local and free-range

Take advantage of your local farms and markets for fresh, locally grown and raised ingredients for a sustainable, delicious and healthy meal.

Avoid single beverages

Cut down on waste by using pitchers to prepare homemade drinks in large quantities instead of soda bottles or cans.

No disposables

Leave the paper, plastic and Styrofoam utensils alone and bring out the fine china and cloth napkins for dinner. Have guests bring reusable containers for leftovers.

Activities

Follow Gombeys for exercise

A Bermudian tradition – Stay active, take your family outside to follow and dance with the Gombeys when they visit your neighborhoods on Christmas and Boxing Day.

Put down and turn off the technology

Instead of gathering around the tv, computer and hacking away on your mobile phones, pull out the board games and playing cards to save energy and be sociable!

What does your family do during the holidays to help the environment?

The post 13 Ways to Go Green this Christmas appeared first on RG Magazines.

His biggest inspiration? It stems from his island roots of course – sweet reggae music.

“I got my start at KEMH like most Bermudians — as far as music, I signed a deal in 1988 at Creation Records”, he said. “At the time, I was living in Nevis, St. Kitts and my sister [singer, Heather Nova] brought a friend on holiday. He was the head of this big record label and wanted to sign me.”

From there Mishka lived in England for over a year and described the experience as being a “huge culture shock”.

“The music industry is a world unto itself, and it wasn’t a friendly world. My experience was quite cutthroat, and the job is demanding. I was happy to rehearse and record, but the social aspect was a struggle.”

“Getting the opportunity to play for people and to become a performer was like a drug. Until it, all fell apart and I had to start from scratch, making my way with different labels and managers.”

Now living in Maui, Hawaii, the industry hardships prompted him to become an independent artist. He is also producing his own music, which is a huge stretch from his humble beginnings as a singer, songwriter playing acoustic guitar.

His earlier work, led by the drum and bass, incorporates some of the musical elements of rhythm and blues, and mento, and any pains can be heard through his soulful lyrics.“I started off simple, made my way up to big production, and now I’m scaling back, with just vocals and lyrical based content in this new album. I’m trying to get it across in a very simple form.”

The reggae artist explained that being signed is challenging, but it also meant that you have more help working with other people, are able to produce much more music, and your projects are marketed correctly — which is why many sign to big labels.

“However, there is a catch-22. You have little to no creative control, and your music is owned by the company. Independence also has its pros and cons. At the moment, I’m surviving and liking not being told what to do.”

In November, Mishka embarked on his second tour of the year. The first half, starting in Florida, featured a three-piece band, while the second half was more of an intimate setting — a duo with a percussionist.

His new album is set to be released mid-2019, and he is looking forward to the possibility of performing at a local show next summer.

“Until then I just want to say, love to all my Bermy people, Bermuda raised me to a large degree, and I have endless love for Bermuda and Bermudian people.”

To keep up with Mishka visit his website mishka.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter @mishkamusic.

The post A catch up with Mishka appeared first on RG Magazines.

Holiday merrymakers lined the streets of the City of Hamilton  for the annual MarketPlace Santa Claus Parade.

The post What You Missed at the MarketPlace Santa Claus Parade (video) appeared first on RG Magazines.

Shop ’til you drop: Dedicated Christmas shoppers kept up the Black Friday tradition by forming queues as early as 4am. Winners of our dream draw contest were prized with 30 minutes of private shopping time, thanks to the Phoenix Stores. Did you get out of bed for the deals this year? What did you buy? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Things Got Crazy at Hamilton Black Friday shopping (video) appeared first on RG Magazines.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Ingredients

3 cups leftover mashed potatoes

3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

2/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 tbsp. thinly sliced chives

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/3 cups panko bread crumbs

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes with cooked bacon, cheddar, chives, and garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are incorporated.

1. Place eggs and panko in separate shallow bowls. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop 1” to 2” balls of mashed potato mixture. Roll into a ball in your hands, then dredge first in egg and then in panko. Repeat until all mashed potatoes are used.
2. Heat 3” of oil in a large cast iron skillet until candy thermometer reads 375°. Fry potato balls in batches until golden on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and season immediately with more salt.

Turkey Sliders with stuffing biscuits

Ingredients

2 medium stalks celery, cut up

1 medium carrot, cut up

1 medium onion, cut up

1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves

5 large leaves sage, torn

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbsp. sugar

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

4 tbsp. butter, cut up and cold

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

1 1/2 lb. ground turkey (93% lean)

1/2 cups mayonnaise

1/4 cups cranberry preserves or sauce

Directions

1. In food processor, pulse celery, carrot, onion, thyme, and sage until finely chopped. In 12″ skillet, heat oil on medium. Add vegetable mixture and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook 15 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Transfer to medium bowl; cook completely.
2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray two 12-cup muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line large rimmed baking sheet with parchment. In clean food processor bowl, pulse flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt until blended. Add butter. Pulse until coarse crumbs form. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Stir in buttermilk, then one-third of cooked vegetable mixture until just blended. Divide among cups of prepared muffin pans (about 3 tablespoons each). Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer biscuits from pans to wire racks; let cool slightly.
3. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine turkey, remaining cooked vegetable mixture, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until just combined. Form into 24 patties (2″ wide); place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes or until cooked through (165 degrees F).
4. When biscuits are cool enough to handle, slice in half. Add turkey patties and dollops of mayo and cranberry preserves.

Baked Apples with Sausage Stuffing

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon oil or butter

1 celery stalk, diced

1/4 cup finely diced onion

1/2 package sausage

1 box stuffing mix

1 1/4 cup Swanson’s UNSALTED Chicken Broth (or the same amount of water called for on the instructions for the stuffing)

6-12 apples such as Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a medium or large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and the onion and the celery and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the sausage to the skillet and cook thoroughly making sure to break it up into crumbles. Remove from heat.
3. In a large bowl, stir together stuffing mix and sausage mixture. Add Swanson’s chicken broth in the same amount as water is called for on the stuffing mix instructions. Mine called for 1 1/4 cups of water and I used 1 1/4 cups of chicken broth.
4. Stir the mixture together so that the stuffing is soft and moist. Feel free to add a little more broth if needed. Set the mix aside.
5. Prepare the apples:
6. Slice the very top of the apples off.
7. Use a spoon or a melon baller to carefully scoop out the entire core of the apple.
8. Repeat this for every apple.
9. Spoon stuffing in to the apples and place in a high sided baking dish.
10. Once all the apples are stuffed and in the dish, carefully pour an additional 1/4-12 cup of broth over the apples. Add another 1/4 cup to the bottom of the dish.
11. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the apples are softened but not falling apart. If you don’t want the stuffing to brown, cover the dish while baking.

Pumpkin Pie Popsicles

Ingredients

8 ounces of Goats Milk, fat free Greek Yogurt, unsweetened Coconut Milk or any Vegan milk you desire

3 ounces unsweetened Pumpkin Purée

1/2 dropper full of Vanilla Stevia Drops, Honey or Maple Syrup to taste

1/4 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pinch of fine Sea Salt

Directions

1. In a bowl mix together all ingredients well.
2. Add sweetener to taste.
3. Pour into popsicle molds or dixie cups with about ¼ inch room at the top.
4. Lay a sheet of foil on top of the pop mold and poke sticks through.
5. Freeze for about 2 hours or until frozen solid.
6. Gently remove pops from molds.

Do you have any unique thanksgiving recipes that you and your family love? Share them with us on social media or email them to us at [email protected].

The post 4 Incredibly Unique Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas appeared first on RG Magazines.

Costumes

• Host a costume swap

Make it into a party. Your digs won’t be new, but they’ll be new to you.

• Thrift store

Visit The Barn or another local thrift store to find costumes or recycled clothing that can help you to create your own.

• Make your own costumes

Why not be a soda bottle, spider web or snapchat filter? Use items you already have to make the perfect costume. Here are some ideas.

• Fake blood

Instead of buying fake blood with unknown ingredients, make your own at home.

• Use non-toxic face paint or make your own

If you plan on painting a face this year, know that many products out there contain small amounts of heavy metals arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead or mercury. Exposure to these products has been linked to developmental delays, hormonal imbalances and cancer. Here are some safe alternatives and a diy face paint recipe.

The Halloween party

• Email invites

To avoid using unnecessary paper, send out party invitations through email. Try Paperless Post or Punchbowl for some amazing options.

• Avoid plastic plates, cups, utensils

Even though there will be extra clean-up, use regular dishes and ask guests to bring reusable containers for takeaways.

• Buy local, organic food

Head to the markets and farms to buy fresh ingredients for party meals.

• Make your own treats

Instead of store bought cookies, cakes and treats, bake your own. Here are a few fun recipes.

Trick-or-treating

• Organic candy

Who knew that Airheads were vegan? Try to be more conscious and purchase candy that has less of an impact on the environment (and your body!) Click here for a list of vegan and organic candy options.

• Avoid cheap plastic toys

You know the ones we’re talking about that come in the variety pack at the dollar store.

• Walk, bike, carpool or take public transportation to hot-spot neighborhoods

Get your candy fix and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

• Bring a trash bag to avoid littering

Eating candy on the way to the next house is a given, just make sure you dispose of wrappers properly and even pick up a few that may have been dropped!

• Use reusable bags

In that same vein, avoid using plastic by bringing extra shopping bags, canvas totes or a pillowcases. (Pack more to share with friends!)

Pumpkins

• Light with beeswax candles

Use beeswax, a renewable all-natural wax produced by honey bees, instead of soy or paraffin-based wax, which is a non-renewable byproduct of petroleum, coal or oil shale. Not to mention it’s not hypoallergenic, so terribe for people with allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivities.

• Eat the seeds

Clean, salt and roast the pumpkin seeds for a yummy fall snack instead of throwing them out. Not only do they contain lots of antioxidants, but they are low calorie and delicious.

• Save the pulp

The slimy insides can be used to make delicious pies, muffins and soup that are perfect for the season. Recipes here.

• Compost, Compost, Compost

Throw jack-o-lanterns and any food scraps in the compost for great soil. If you don’t have one, check out the Earth Machine from the Ministry of Public Works for a compost bin.

• Grow your own

A great post-Halloween activity is to plant your own pumpkins and watch them grow!

This article was originally published in the October 2018 edition of the RG Green Pages supplement.

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