The Foundpreneur Podcast

Stephen Stanberry
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Business

The Caribbean has been building world-class businesses for decades. Nobody covered it properly. Until now. The Foundpreneur Podcast is a weekly conversation series hosted by Caribbean journalist and media founder Stephen Stanberry. Every episode goes deep with founders from across the Caribbean and its diaspora, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Barbados, Cayman Islands, and beyond unpacking the real story behind the build. No hype. No overnight success myths. Just honest conversations about what it actually takes to build a business in this region the strategies, the setbacks, and the wins that never made the mainstream business press. New episodes every week. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Episodes

  1. Oct 12

    She Saw Empty Shelves. So She Started Manufacturing.

    Melissa Pascal has lost money, rebuilt businesses, changed business models and started again more than once. At 25, she lost more than US$100,000 running a café in Port of Spain. Years later, she returned to her family’s 40-year-old bakery and helped shift it from a retail-focused operation toward B2B and private-label manufacturing. The business eventually reached roughly US$1 million in annual sales. Then another opportunity appeared. During a foreign exchange shortage in Trinidad and Tobago, imported rice cakes disappeared from shelves. Melissa heard someone complain about the shortage at the gym. She remembered a machine she had seen years earlier at a trade show. And she bought it. That decision became Sultan Manufacturing. In this conversation, Melissa talks about what it means to spot a real market gap, invest before everyone agrees with you, build manufacturing systems, work inside a family business and keep going after major failures. She also explains why she believes imported products often prove local demand, why Caribbean founders need to think more seriously about manufacturing, and how she now uses AI to solve operational problems inside her own businesses. We also get into the harder side of entrepreneurship. Melissa talks openly about losing confidence, crying in her van while running the family business, rebuilding her identity and learning that failure hurts less once you have survived it before. This episode is about more than rice cakes. It is about learning how to see a problem differently. For Melissa, empty shelves were not only a shortage. They were market research. Find Melissa: Blueprint Caribbean: blueprintcaribbean.com LinkedIn and Instagram: Melissa Pascal

    She Saw Empty Shelves. So She Started Manufacturing.

  2. Sep 28

    The Shipping Problem Crushing Caribbean Product Businesses

    Hurricane Maria changed Terri Henry-Lovell’s life. When she returned to Dominica after the storm, much of the tourism and nature-based work she had built her life around was no longer viable. So she started again. The first product was a handmade lip balm made with beeswax. That experiment eventually became Bee Natural, a Caribbean wellness brand producing deodorants, body butters, balms and other hive-based products from Dominica. Today, Bee Natural sells across several Caribbean islands, works with hotels and other businesses, and is preparing for its next stage of production growth. Terri shares what building a physical-product business from a small Caribbean island actually looks like, from grants and bookkeeping to manufacturing, shipping and having cash tied up in inventory. We also talk about the personal cost of entrepreneurship, why Caribbean exports remain harder than they should be, and why she says she might never have started if she knew everything the journey would require. In this episode: How Hurricane Maria led to Bee Natural Why she started with a single lip balm Building handmade products from Dominica Turning grants into real production growth Why Caribbean shipping is still a major problem The “Space in Your Case” solution Running almost every role in a small business Building systems that let a founder finally let go Working with her daughter and husband Why Caribbean-made products deserve more regional support

    The Shipping Problem Crushing Caribbean Product Businesses

  3. Sep 21

    Why She Walked Away From a Global Career to Start Again in Jamaica

    Lindsay Baxter spent 15-16 years climbing to the executive team of a £140 million division of Informa PLC in London — working on the business side of the Paris Climate Agreement, leading government bids for Singapore and Hong Kong, and launching a sustainable investment forum with the UN. Then a redundancy offer landed on her desk. She took it. And instead of chasing another corporate role, she chose Jamaica. In this episode, Stephen sits down with Lindsay to talk about: Why Jamaica beat out Greece for her first fitness retreat eventThe real learning curve of doing business here after years of closing deals over the phone in LondonWhy she still has zero local consulting clients, and the honest reason behind itHow one Threads post asking if anyone wanted to work from a cafe together turned into The Boardroom JA — an application-only women's business network with over 100 members in two monthsWhat she believes the Caribbean gets right that the rest of the world overlooksWhat building a life and business in Jamaica has actually cost her, personallyFounder's Final Five: Which Caribbean government she thinks is doing the most to support its private sector, the most common reason she turns someone down for The Boardroom JA, the biggest commercial mistake Caribbean businesses make entering international markets, her advice to a young female entrepreneur, and whether — knowing everything she knows now — she'd still choose Jamaica. Follow Lindsay Baxter and Baxter Advisory: Website — baxteradvisory.co.uk LinkedIn — Lindsay Baxter Instagram (The Boardroom JA) — @theboardroomja New episode of The Foundpreneur Podcast every week, covering the founders reshaping the Caribbean and its diaspora. Subscribe to The Foundpreneur Weekly newsletter — foundpreneur.co Follow @foundpreneur on Instagram

    Why She Walked Away From a Global Career to Start Again in Jamaica

  4. Aug 31

    She Trained 6,000 Women Farmers Across 5 Caribbean Countries. Here's the Model.

    Keithlin Caroo-Afrifa grew up in Faux, a rural farming community in St. Lucia, surrounded by women who fed families and sustained the land, with almost none of them ever formally recognized for it. She left for university, earned her dream job at the United Nations, and then hit a wall. Sitting inside global policy at the UN, she realized she wasn't actually helping the woman who raised her, or St. Lucia, or the Caribbean at all. So she started Helen's Daughters off the side of her desk, using her own time and her own money, while still working full-time at the UN. Today, Helen's Daughters operates across five Caribbean countries, has trained over 6,000 women through its Academy, and has been featured by Forbes, the BBC, and National Geographic. Keithlin holds an MBE and is the youngest and first Afro-Caribbean Goodwill Ambassador, and she's now working to convert one of the Caribbean's most recognized nonprofits into a social enterprise. In this episode, Keithlin talks about: ◼ Why the UN's "meritocracy" wasn't actually equal for people from small island states ◼ Why she uses the word "farmHERs" instead of farmers, and the real story behind it ◼ The moment she almost gave up when the grants and fellowships weren't coming ◼ How Helen's Daughters expanded into five Caribbean countries using country coordinators instead of trying to be everywhere herself ◼ What building this organization has actually cost her, personally ◼ Founder's Final Five: the one policy change that would help women farmers most, the biggest untapped business opportunity in Caribbean agriculture, and the uncomfortable truth nobody wants to admit about the sector This is Episode 004 of The Foundpreneur Podcast — where we cover the founders reshaping the Caribbean and its diaspora. Follow Helen's Daughters: Website — helensdaughters.org Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, X — @HelensDaughters The Foundpreneur Podcast covers Caribbean founders, Caribbean entrepreneurship, and the builders reshaping the region and its diaspora. New episode every week. Subscribe to The Foundpreneur Weekly newsletter — foundpreneur.co Follow Foundpreneur — @foundpreneur on Instagram

    She Trained 6,000 Women Farmers Across 5 Caribbean Countries. Here's the Model.

  5. Aug 24

    From State Care at 14 to Founding a School at 23

    Phelisa Ricketts shares her inspiring journey from a troubled childhood in Jamaica to founding Western STEM Academy, highlighting the importance of belief, resilience, and innovative education in transforming lives. Key Topics Phelisa Ricketts' childhood and early challengesThe role of Miss Winsom Lawson in Felicia's lifeFounding and scaling Western STEM AcademyIntegration of AI and technology in educationChallenges of online school accreditation in JamaicaThe future of Caribbean education and STEM focusBalancing entrepreneurship and motherhoodThe importance of belief and resilience in success Connect with Phelisa Ricketts: Instagram: @phelisa_ricketts LinkedIn Website: https://www.westernstemacademy.com/

    From State Care at 14 to Founding a School at 23

  6. Jun 22

    The 15-Year Plan That Transformed a Jamaican Boy Into a Caribbean Investment Pioneer

    In this episode, David Mullings shares his journey from a disciplined childhood in Jamaica to becoming a pioneering investor in Caribbean markets. He discusses the importance of failure, strategic investment in emerging markets, and the vision behind Blue Mahoe Capital to transform Caribbean investment opportunities. In this episode, David Mullings shares insights on Caribbean entrepreneurship, investment strategies, and the vision for Jamaica's future, emphasizing the importance of unity, innovation, and strategic thinking. David Mullings' 15-year life plan in Jamaica Lessons learned from entrepreneurial failures The creation and impact of Blue Mahoe Capital SEC qualification to raise capital for Caribbean investments The importance of storytelling and transparency in business Building a regulated, transparent investment vehicle for the Caribbean The role of culture and diaspora in Caribbean investment Overcoming regulatory challenges in financial markets The vision of making the Caribbean the Singapore of the Western Hemisphere Lessons for Caribbean founders building first-of-its-kind ventures Caribbean infrastructure gap and investment opportunities Raising capital as a Caribbean founder Cultural industries as economic drivers The Singapore-Jamaica comparison and lessons learned Unity and collaboration in the Caribbean Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review where ever you listen your podcast it helps more Caribbean stories reach more people. Or send us a message at hello@foundpreneur.co Subscribe to The Foundpreneur Weekly — foundpreneur.co Follow Stephen across social: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Follow Foundpreneur across social: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Connect with David: www.davidmullings.com www.bluemahoeholdings.com www.bluemahoecapital.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmullings Twitter - https://twitter.com/davidmullings

    The 15-Year Plan That Transformed a Jamaican Boy Into a Caribbean Investment Pioneer

  7. Jun 2

    She Built a 15-Country Caribbean Brand With Zero Investors — Here's How

    Stephen Stanberry sits down with Melesia Adderley — the founder of Women's Haven and the first female Caribbean-owned organic feminine care brand in the region. Melesia built across 15 countries. With zero investors. From the Cayman Islands. This episode covers the origin, the near-collapse, and the decisions that made Women's Haven what it is today. Plus questions submitted directly by the Foundpreneur community. 3 quick take aways. One — the gap is the opportunity. Melesia didn't invent the concept of organic feminine care. She identified that the Caribbean had been excluded from it entirely and decided to close that gap herself. Every Caribbean founder has a version of that gap sitting right in front of them. Two — zero investors is not a limitation. It is a decision. Melesia has built a 15-country brand on her own terms because she chose to control the build. Funding shapes everything — including who you answer to. Three — distribution is the real product. Getting the product right was step one. Getting it into 100-plus stores across 15 different Caribbean markets — different regulations, different buyers, different retail cultures — that was the actual build. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review where ever you listen your podcast it helps more Caribbean stories reach more people. Or send us a message at hello@foundpreneur.co Subscribe to The Foundpreneur Weekly — foundpreneur.co Follow Stephen across social: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Follow Foundpreneur across social: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Connect with Melesia Adderley: Instagram — @MrsAdderley Shop Women's Haven — womenshaven.com

    She Built a 15-Country Caribbean Brand With Zero Investors — Here's How

  8. Trailer

    Foundpreneur Podcast Trailer

    The Caribbean has produced some of the most remarkable founders on the planet. But you'd never know it from the coverage. The Foundpreneur Podcast is a weekly show hosted by Caribbean journalist and media founder Stephen Stanberry. Every Monday we sit down with Caribbean and diaspora founders building businesses that matter breaking down the revenue models, the market entry strategies, the decisions that almost killed the business, and the ones that saved it. Plus the strategies and lessons you can steal. And use in your own build right now. New episodes every Monday. Subscribe to The Foundpreneur Weekly — our free Thursday newsletter covering the Caribbean founder economy: foundpreneur.co Connect with Foundpreneur: On InstagramOn LinkedInOn YouTube@Foundpreneur on all platformsThanks for listening. New episodes every Monday.

    Foundpreneur Podcast Trailer
  • 1 Trailer
    7 Episodes

Trailer

About

The Caribbean has been building world-class businesses for decades. Nobody covered it properly. Until now. The Foundpreneur Podcast is a weekly conversation series hosted by Caribbean journalist and media founder Stephen Stanberry. Every episode goes deep with founders from across the Caribbean and its diaspora, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Barbados, Cayman Islands, and beyond unpacking the real story behind the build. No hype. No overnight success myths. Just honest conversations about what it actually takes to build a business in this region the strategies, the setbacks, and the wins that never made the mainstream business press. New episodes every week. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephen Stanberry
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Foundpreneur Media LLC
  • Show Website
    The Foundpreneur Podcast