Shakira Thomas: A savvy, creative Caribbean chick
SHAKIRA Thomas may only be 21, but already she’s making great strides in managing her own business. Visit www.caribbeanchick.com and you will get a glimpse of the personality behind the name – practical, savvy, fashionable and creative.
Thomas has single-handedly put together this very colourful, exciting and workable website to suit the tastes of just about every Caribbean woman. The site will take you from fashion and beauty to food and dining, home and technology, money management, travel and entertainment and other places, all of which speaks to a woman’s everyday life.
And she said she had no difficulty formulating this outlet, since on browsing, she found the Internet lacking in providing a central location where a woman could get all her needs met in one place.
“I sat with some friends one day and while talking, I realised that there was no one outlet where we could go to get all the information we needed at one time,” Thomas told all woman.
“My friends agreed with me. I mean, we want to know about fashion and beauty, money management, about your home etc. I know there are many websites that offer a lot of information on these topics, but you have to search different links, you don’t find them in one place.”
That was when she put her business mind to work. Thomas started looking into her own life to identify the areas she would want answers to, and then she looked at other women both in Jamaica and the Caribbean to see what they too would like.
“The content guide is set, but the information in each category will change weekly,” she explained.
Thomas’ research lead to writing, and her writing to engaging the talent of web designer Delroy McDowell, and the rest as they say speaks for itself!
On July 29th, 2007 the site was born.
“The colours, concept, design – everything is all Shakira Thomas,” she said. “My mother helps me with the home section, sharing ideas she has tried and proven. I want to keep the site as practical as ever. What we also do is ask advertisers to write useful information. So you find that for advertisers this is world class advertising, since they both advertise and write.”
And the feedback, she said, is tremendous!
“I am still in the process of promoting it. I am talking to businesses and sending out letters to inform them of what we have to offer. It is going good so far and I am anticipating great things!”
Women can look forward to having a daily meal guide on line for those not certain what to prepare in the evenings, courtesy of Grace Kitchens.
Jamaica Money Market Brokers will also provide helpful tips on how to manage and grow your money.
“I want the site to be simple yet accurate, something that one can relate to. For all the sites I invite companies to give their own input. We want accurate and real information,” she said.
A past student of Excelsior High, Thomas holds a diploma in business management and is currently looking to pursue her degree in the field.
But her real business sense comes naturally, as she is always thinking of ways to increase her assets.
