Miss Bahamas Downgrade?

           

About two months ago, Pageant Director and President for the Miss Bahamas Organization, Michelle Malcolm, issued a press released stating the upcoming changes within the Miss Bahamas Organization. It was announced that the Miss Bahamas Pageant would be two separate pageants: Miss Universe Bahamas to be held in September and Miss World Bahamas to be held in November. With the addition of Atlantis being the main sponsor, it appeared that the pageant would improve tremendously this year. However, from the looks of what I have seen so far it has not.

            In previous years, the amount of contestants were an average of 12-20 girls, coming from all islands of the Bahamas; Grand Bahama in particularly. But this year there are no contestants from Grand Bahama. In fact, the Miss BahamasOrganization had to postpone the pageant because of the poor turnout of contestants. This was the first indication that the pageant season would not be as good as before. Now that the pageant has been launched, the quality of contestants and preliminary events seem to have fallen.

            Last week contestants and their photos were launched to the public. Unlike previous years, there seem to have been no theme for the pageant. Also, the number of contestants decreased dramatically. The 2012 pageant season had 17 contestants and the theme was the Pheonix. This year there are 8 contestants and no theme. Yet, for the first time in history the Miss Bahamas Organization is being back by major hotel Atlantis. In regards to the preliminary events, there seems to be little to no advertising for persons to attend their functions.

Last year, the Miss Bahamas pageant was televised as a reality show for their preliminary events. This was used as marketing tool to begin a buzz within the community and encourage persons to attend prelims and the coronation ceremony. This year there is minute social media marketing. No actual media commercial has been released to the public and the pageant is in one week.

With all that being said, it is evident that the quality of this pageant has done the opposite of improve. Is this an indication of what is to come in the pageant industry as a whole in the Bahamas? Who knows! 

Here are a few photos from launch party and a link to their website. 

http://missuniversebahamas.org

Elite Model Look Contest

Famous super models such as Cindy Crawford, Stephanie Seymour, and Gisele Bundchen all have one thing in common. They were all discovered through the Elite Model LookContest. This contest is considered to be the most prestigious modeling contest in the world. This year the contest will continue to change lives and be bigger than ever. Joining the competition this year is the Bahamas. With the modeling industry blossoming, the Elite Model Look Contest has come to the Bahamas with hopes of making their mark in the competition and the modeling industry at large.

           According to BahamasWeekly.com Fab Factor Studio and The Bahamas Heart Foundation will spearhead Elite Model Look Bahamas. The first casting call held August 11, 2013 had over 100 registered persons. Twelve young ladies were selected for the semi- finals. The ladies are:         

• ·      Jeffonia Bowleg - Nassau
• ·      Jade Neily - Nassau
• ·      Paige Mingo - Nassau
• ·      Davinya Woods - Nassau
• ·      Jessica Thompson - Nassau
• ·      Isabel Taylor - Nassau
• ·      Kristy Evans - Abaco
• ·      Chantiyah Miller - Nassau
• ·      Alexandra Pelanne - Grand Bahama
• ·      Ereisha Mackey - Nassau
• ·      Sasha Pyfrom - Nassau
• ·      Shavon Nottage - Grand Bahama

The competition will continue with various training sessions, makeovers and appearances as the ladies prepare for the finals that are scheduled for September 15, 2013.
          Two hopefuls for the title of Elite Model Look Bahamas Contest Winner are Alexandra Pelanne and Shavon Nottage. Both young ladies reside from the island of Grand Bahama. Alexandra Pelanne recently won the Mango Tree Media Top- Model Competition and has from there been seen on many promotions, advertisements, and magazines throughout the Bahamas. Shavon Nottage, who is the reigning Miss Junior Grand Bahama and Miss Teenager Bahamas has been making, waves through the modeling industry this past year. She has been featured in countless advertisements, magazines, fashion shows, and recently placed 5^th in an international pageant (Miss Teenager Universe) out of 37 contestants. With their current track record, these two beauties are in headed for success and can win the competition.

            As this is the first year the Bahamas is taking part in the Elite Model Look contest, there is no doubt that the Bahamas will make it’s mark in the modeling industry. Competitions such as this will open doors for young Bahamians looking to pursue a career in modeling.

A little bit of everything is good

      In my previous post, I talked about two business plan experts and their contradicting views. According to this article, http://www.ryerson.ca/tedrogersschool/bm/faculty_staff/bios/gedeon.html Steven Gedeon who is currently a professor in Entrepreneurship & Strategy at the Ted Rodgers School of Management, believes that one should have a sound detailed business plan before venturing off. For example, you should have every section of a business plan prepared in order to present to potential business investors. On the contrary, Chuck Blakeman who is a very successful entrepreneur (http://chuckblakeman.com) believes that having your business plan fully completed before you begin to venture out is not necessary. This theory suggests that you should add-too, or adjusts your business plan as you move forward. For example, you may know your mission statement and financials at the start of your business, but may not have a sound marketing plan, which can be easily implemented, as your business progresses. Both men give sound advice for pursuing your business. As an upcoming entrepreneur, I will adhere to both but lean more to Blakeman’s theory.

          

        Based on the culture, nature, laws and regulations of the country where my business will be based in, this theory would work hand-in-hand with the progression of my business. As this will be a small business, management and organization structure are not important at the beginning phases. Therefore the two most important aspects (financials and marketing) will be focused on the initials stages of the business. In my current business plan, I have played close attention to these two sections giving them more detail than others. For potential investors, I will solicit these two sections to them.

           

        As the business continues to grow, there will come a time where a detail, fully completed business plan will be necessary and that is where Gedeon’s theory will come into play. I have learned by taking a little from every good thing is a great way to be successful and this is what I will do.   

Business plan or no business plan?

Your business plan is considered to be the most important tool needed in order to determine how successful your business can possibly be. Steven Gedeon is an expert on the value of a business plan. According to http://www.ryerson.ca/tedrogersschool/bm/faculty_staff/bios/gedeon.html, he is currently a professor in Entrepreneurship & Strategy at the Ted Rodgers School of Management and has founded and led more than a dozen public, and venture capital and non- profit organizations. Another expert in the field of business plans is Chuck Blakeman.

            Blakeman is an entrepreneur with an irregular approach to business. His view basically states that business plans are not necessary and focus too much on the future. Instead, one should “implement now and perfect as you go.” According to http://chuckblakeman.com this approach has been adopted by thousands of business owners. Currently, he is an internationally acclaimed business speaker with an average of 100 plus speaking engagements and workshops per year. Here we have two highly recognized persons that are experts in starting a business, extremely successful, but have two totally different approaches. However, these approaches can both be used. The reason for this is that when starting a business, there should be certain elements present. Both include critical and key elements that investors look for. Certain elements must be known in order for the business to a success. These include:

•             Who am I selling to?
•             What is the growth rate of this market?
•             What is the price point for the products and services my company will offer?
•             Who are my competitors?
•             How will I make a profit?

In addition, the overall business idea and the necessary financials should be present when starting a business. These elements are key as they guide you to understanding what strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats your business may have. Your business must be able to impact the audience you will be catering to. 

Theodore Elyett in good standing to win grand prize on Mission Catwalk

Based in Jamaica, is the hit new reality TV series Mission Catwalk, that features fifteen designers from the islands of the Caribbean such as Jamaica, Hati, Barbados and the Bahamas. Each week, T.V. Jamaica airs an hour-long show comprised of four segments: the challenge, the design production, the runway show, and the elimination of a designer. This marks the third season of Mission Catwalk and according to host of the show, Keneea Linton- George, “this has been our most successful season.” In addition, fans are able to vote weekly for their favorite designer. Always leading, as the fans favorite is Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett.

Elyett, who is a noted and popular designer in the Bahamas has won two challenges and placed in the top three in majority of the challenges. His first win occurred during the opening challenge.  The challenge required designers to create a piece “inspired by the Caribbean, which could be taken anywhere in the world and recognized as a uniquely Caribbean piece (Jayakumar, 2013).” Elyett won with his African- Tourist inspired dress, which was then manufactured and sold in a retail store in Jamaica and the Bahamas. Since then, the dress has been sold and worn by numerous women such as the First Lady of the Bahamas, Mrs. Bernadette Christie. During the seventh episode’s challenge, Elyett was also victorious.

For this challenge, designers were to transform five yards of white fabric by painting a motif that represents their personality in only eight hours. Unlike the other designers, Elyett constructed a cap-sleeve blouse and cigarette pants; creating something simple. “The blouse featured a bold orange graduated collar and a hand painted, florescent pink floral design paired with cigarette pants (Neely, 2013).” According to Elyett, the ombre’ effect that was shown on the piece represents his personality.

Therefore, with his current success and only 3 short weeks left until the grand finale, Elyett has been proving himself to come out on top and claim the grand prize of Mission Catwalk. Will he be successful? Tune in to T.V. Jamaica on www.televisionjamaica.com Saturday nights at 9:00 p.m. to follow the show. Here is a link to view Theodore Elyett’s opening episode challenge win.