This nation was pounded to smithereens by US bombs in the Korean War in the 1950s. In the first of the Soviet-US Cold Wars, the Korean War (1950-1953), 2.5 million people died, most of them civilians from North and South Korea.

China, at its northern border, a historical invader, is becoming increasingly aggressive in the South China Sea. At its southern border, the US has approximately 28,500 troops and a standing army of South Koreans. The US has deployed Navy SEALs and a navy strike (blitz) group to the area, in addition to its continuous massive naval cordoning of the South China Sea, its Obama strategic “pivot to China.” The historical imperialists, genocidal artists, are bullying North Korea with calculated impunity. Of warheads, the US has 6,800, Russia has 7,000, France has 300, the UK has 215, China has 260, India has 110, Pakistan has 140, Israel has 80. These nuclear warheads could be delivered from land, from submarines, from air bombers, from warships.

Has North Korea, this or any of the last two generations of North Korean leaders, shown a tendency to genocide, imperialism, the decimation of national leaders and their citizens, the support for terrorism, global war? It has practised war by rhetoric, remonstration, when threatened by the war games of the US, Britain, Russia, China, on its many borders.

The hot gospellers of war in the West, the US and Europe, the media, and the political classes, have vied tooth and nail to demonise the current North Korean leader. If he is a demon, he is not more demonic then they. They want him to change, become like them. You mean, their global banking dictatorship? You mean, their exponential mad rush to consumerism? You mean, their withering away of organic life on the planet? You mean, their continual substitution of global trade by global war using their competitive advantage in warmongering? You mean, their deadhorse governments that cannot provide genuine sustainability and affordability of basic goods and services for their populations? You mean, their slaughter of 12 million Cold War “Jews” in Latin America, Africa, South East Asia with chemical weapons, bombs and bullets? North Korea, over the last three generations, has made stunning blunders. When the command economy makes blunders, the results could be disastrous, ruinous.

Millions suffer. But few dare to mention that this nation has bounced back. Parts of its social, its cultural, life border on the idyllic, the utopian.

It has been subjected to immense external pressures. Even now, it appears that China has stopped importing North Korean coal, has withheld fuel supplies to this fuel-deficient nation. But it has kept, in its own view, a strong warrior code, a revolutionary ardour.

It will hang, swing and die for its right to exist, it autonomy, its right to self-determination.

On the nuclear field, the chief antagonists have behaved atrociously.

They have vied tooth and nail to nuclearise the planet. The leaders of the US, Great Britain (and perhaps Stalin) colluded to drop two atomic bombs on a beleaguered Japan in 1945.

They have taken the planet to the brink of nuclear war; in Cuba in 1962. They have built up conventional non-nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

They have judged that nuclear war may be conducted in a limited theatre and constantly carry nuclear weapons on their ships, planes, submarines. They have made many nuclear miscalculations and accidents. They have made nuclear proliferation treaties which they have pulled out of, smashed. They are not denuclearising; but they want North Korea to denuclearise.

And, in the 1970s, US president Richard Nixon armed Iran, when the Shah, the US ally, was in power, with non-enriched uranium to assist its nuclear programme. And armed and sent Saddam Hussein after the Iranian Revolution in the 1980s to destroy Iran and its revolution, leading to a most savage annihilation of millions of soldiers and citizens on both sides. And created a nuclear-armed Israel.

They have used their secret services and computer viruses to destroy the nuclear programmes of Iran and smaller nation states.

China, Russia, the US, the UK, France, others, want North Korea to disarm its nuclear development programme; they are calling for a nuclear-free Korean peninsula; and for non-proliferation. But they are not talking about that which they themselves possess. Or that they themselves are constantly enhancing their nuclear defence and delivery capacity. And that they themselves are testing. They have behaved like punks, and now condemn “punkism” in North Korea.

And the Castro-less “Third World” flunkies are following their masters.

The US is playing another sick game. Something so sick that it is potentially genocidal. It has sent its THAAD “defence” system to the border of North and South Korea.

What is the point? They are giving the people of South Korea a false sense of security. THAAD is an imperfect system built on the game of probabilities. Its role is to “kill” high altitude ballistic missiles. Alleged missiles. But it cannot protect against barrage, multifarious artillery assault. If the US triggers a war, and North Korea responds, this system would be sorely limited; large segments of the military and civilian p opul at ion would be at risk. There would be mutually assured l a r g e – s c a l e destruction of Korean people.

On Saturday morning, the residents gathered outside WASA’s Granville water treatment plant where they staged a protest.

However, they were confronted by security officers at the facility.

Frustrated residents demanded pipeborne water saying life for the past three weeks had become unbearable.

There were very harsh words for Public Utilities Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, under whose remit, WASA falls.

“If he was in an area without water, bet your last cent he would not allow that area to suffer for three weeks,” a villager cried. Councillor for the area Shankar Teelucksingh, said residents were at their wits end as they had no water to conduct basic, daily household activities such as washing wares, washing clothe and using the toilet.

The only relief is via the costly avenue of paying for a truck borne water supply. Residents said that WASA is aware of their plight but have done nothing to ease it.

Teelucksingh, who is a councillor in the Siparia Regional Corporation, said that residents of Point Coco in Granville have been paying for truck-borne water supplies for the past 21 days.

During the protest, they begged Minister Hinds to, “have a heart”, at get involved to ensure WASA fixes what needs to be fixed so that water can once again flow through the pipes.

Residents said they have paid up all WASA water bills, for a service allow them to live At the protest, they demanded that Minister of Public Utilities, Fitzgerald Hinds, address the matter urgently.

These two gentlemen have put into the public domain how land, including State land, can be stolen, with the full approval of the Government, from its rightful owners.

Instead of moving to evict squatters, the Government is legitimising them and paving the way for wholesale grabbing of State land all over the country.

That is absolute craziness. But then, I should not be surprised.

The Government is showing, just like the previous one, that it is bereft of ideas to carry the country forward.

LINUS F DIDIER Mt Hope

Jordan, who plays tech genius Winslow “Winn” Schott, Jr on the popular television series Supergirl, was the “meet and greet” celebrity for the opening day of the festival on Friday which was held at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.

Sunday Newsday asked Jordan how he was enjoying his first visit to this country.

He responded: “It’s great so far. I’ve only been here for about a day. Mostly seen the hotel. Started to travel around a bit but then we got a bit lost. We’ve mostly been here doing events for Decibel.” He said the festival experience has been “great.” “Everybody’s like really fun and super nice.

And everybody seems really excited which is nice energy to be around. And we’re just having fun.” Asked about the question and answer session with local fans Jordan said he had never done anything like that.

“The fact that they got to stay behind and chat for a bit was super cool.

You don’t generally get that sort of thing.” Asked if he was surprised by the fervour of the local fanbase Jordan responded, “I am always a little bit surprised by it because when you doing TV and film you really don’t get to see the response. Like you see it on Twitter and Instagram but it feels distant. It doesn’t feel like real. It’s just words on a screen. But then to meet people in person from a country that’s not even close to where you are, it’s kind of cool to see how far the reach goes. That you have fans across the oceans. It’s very exciting. All over the world and the Caribbean as well.” Asked what was one of the best things being on the show Jordan said, “Getting to be a part of the superhero universe has always been something very exciting for me. I was a big nerd growing up and I always loved superheroes and getting the opportunity to be part of the story getting told is really fun and it is kind of an opportunity you get often.

So it’s a lot of fun.” He continued: “And we have a great cast. We have a lot of fun on set.

We’re very tight knit. We all film up in Vancouver (Canada) and none of us are from there so we have to stick together.” Growing up his favourite superhero was Batman.

“I liked the idea of a normal guy that could be a superhero if he just worked hard enough and had enough money.

As I kid I didn’t really think about that aspect.

Like he has cool gadgets and doesn’t have any superpowers, maybe I could be Batman.” Asked about local food he plans to try Jordan said, “I keep getting hounded about trying doubles. So I gotta do it.

I tried a little shark nugget but we didn’t have the bake though. We just had the shark. So I will have to go find the bake and shark. So we’re getting there slowly but surely.” He continued: “We’re going to go explore the beaches and maybe go kayaking and snorkelling. Maybe do some hikes to the waterfalls.

Go zip-lining and do some cool island-y things. So we’re excited about that. And we’re going to some club tonight (Friday night) so we’re trying to get the whole scope of things in like our three or four days we are here.” Asked about the temperature in Trinidad, Jordan said he is from Texas where it “gets really hot” so the local climate was “pretty normal for me.” Jordan was also peppered with questions from fans including his advice to aspiring actors.

He advised that “you have to find the things that make you stand out” and when reading for a part take risks and do whatever sets you apart from the rest.

“Hopefully you have the talent to back it up.” US actor Will Smith made a surprise appearance at the festival on Friday during a conference with students. One of the festival directors Simon Baptiste, told Sunday Newsday the conference was oversubscribed and they had more than 800 students in the inner auditorium and another 100 outside.

“In that sense it has been our most successful years in terms of the conference.” He said the festival has hosted a lot of executives and major players in the industries of music, fashion and dance locally, regionally and internationally. He noted there is a variety of attractions for the festival this year including a performance by Kes the Band, a dance competition, bmobile Zombie Island, a zip-line ride, an escape room and a cosplay competition.

“So it’s kind of like a mini theme park.” The event is in its fourth year and Baptiste reported it has grown from 1,000 people in the first year to an estimated 10,000 people.

He thanked his team and title sponsor Republic Bank and partner sponsor bmobile.

Yesterday, the celebrity meet and greet was WWE star Nikki Bella and today, the final day, is The Hunger Games actress Willow Shields

Having won the league title earlier in the season, Hillview’s bowlers Jaen Phillitte Barrie, Kareem Muradalli, Sachin Seecharran and Teshawn Alleyne exhibited great discipline and variations to bowl out Naparima for a paltry 97 in 20 overs.

In reply, Hillview romped to an impressive victory through an entertaining unbeaten 45 by Seecharran who sparked celebrations with 7.2 overs to spare.

Skipper Dexter Sween (16 not out) ensured that there was no hiccups and featured in an unbroken 57-run third wicket stand with Seecharran who was voted “Player of the Match” for his mature innings of 45 and two wickets for 22 from three overs.

It was an inspirational all-round performance that rallied Hillview to the historic double.

Naparima found themselves in serious trouble when their talented skipper Cephas Cooper was dismissed cheaply for two and created panic among his less experienced teammates who succumbed to the wiles of Kareem Muradalli (4/21) and Seecharran (2/22).

But it was new ball bowler Jaen Phillitte Barrie who undermined Naps’ experienced front-line batsmen and put the skids on the San Fernando-based team.

The medium pacer struck in the first over and claimed the prized wicket of West Indies Under 19 opener Cooper who offered an easy catch to wicketkeeper Leonardo Julien in the first over.

Naps were eight for two when Justyn Gangoo fell to West Indies under 19 fast bowler Teshawn Alleyne and Barrie later got rid of Ariel Telesford to make it 21 for three.

Avinash Mahabirsingh (31) and Kyle Roopchand (12) restored some respectability with an enterprising 37-run fourth wicket partnership before Seecharran scalped Roopchand and Jevon George (0) at the same score and left Naps floundering at 57 for five.

Clevon Kalawan (12) energised Naps’ supporters with a couple of lusty blows but the excitement extinguished when the big-hitter used the long handle but skied the catch to skipper Dexter Sween stationed at the mid-wicket boundary.

Keston Bandoo made 10 and Naparima’s innings closed at 97 which proved to be an easy target for the confident Hillview team coached by Richard Kelly.

The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In osteoarthritis, the cushions on the ends of your bones, called cartilage, wear away.

That makes the bones rub against each other. You might feel pain in the affected area namely your fingers, knees, or hips. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. This disease often occurs in more than one joint and can affect any joint in the body.

Arthritis mainly causes pain around your joints. The symptoms can be constant, or they may come and go. They can range from mild to severe. More-severe cases may lead to permanent joint damage. You may also experience: One or more joints that are swollen or stiff Joints that look red or feel warm to the touch Tenderness Trouble moving Problems doing everyday tasks There are several exercises that you can do in managing your arthritis. These include:

Gardening This is a fantastic method of exercise for people who enjoy recreational exercise. Gardening burns calories and boosts pleasure-enhancing endorphins, easing depression that can be associated with RA. However, you will have to pace yourself especially if you have RA in your wrists as you can experience a flare-up if you dig for hours at a time.

Cycling This form of exercise avoids putting weight on the knee joint, can help maintain knee joint mobility and strengthen leg muscles. Stationary cycling is a good option for persons who have less balance and are just starting. As your leg strength increases you can begin to ride a non-stationary bike which can be a good social activity that you and your friends can enjoy.

Swimming This will assist in maintaining your strength and stamina without putting too much pressure on your joints. Also in a lap pool (usually four-feet deep), you can walk from one side of the pool to the other at a brisk pace. The buoyancy of the water relieves pressure on your joints. This is an excellent exercise for persons with acute joint pain.

Strengthening exercises This is an excellent way to improve your mobility and flexibility by strengthening the muscles that support your joints. However, it is advisable to begin with a trained instructor. Ensure that you inform your instructor of your limitations and affliction, thereby enabling him/her to develop a workout plan specific to your needs.

There are some exercises you can do at home that will improve your muscle strength and flexibility. These include the following:

Chair stand This exercise is good for people who want to build leg muscles. Sit on a normal-height chair, stand up, and sit down gently. Focus on controlling the motion, using your arms to assist you if needed. Try doing ten to 15 reps, for added resistance or difficulty try a lower-height chair and control that motion more with your legs omitting the use of your arms.

Shoulder Bridge The basic bridge exercise primarily target your rectus abdominis and your gluteus maximus. As we get older it is important to tighten your abdominal muscles as it is the muscle that acts as a girdle assisting us in maintaining good posture.

Lay on your back, bend your knees and place your arms along each side of your body. Exhale through your mouth as you contract the abdominals and lift your pelvis. (Don’t arch your back or over flex your knees.) Inhale through the nose and hold the position. Exhale to lower your pelvis back to the ground and repeat the exercise.

Bicep-Curl This exercise will assist with the everyday activities such as lifting a mug of water or your laundry basket. You should start this exercise with one to two-pound weights and as you become stronger you can increase the weight.

Hold a dumbbell in each hand and stand with your feet wide apart as your hips. Let your arms hang down at your sides with your palms forward. Pull your abdominals in, stand tall, and keep your knees slightly bent. Curl both arms upward until they’re in front of your shoulders. Slowly lower the dumbbells back down and repeat.

Exercise is a wonderful place to start when attempting to regain your mobility, although it may be the last option you choose to explore when you are in pain. Exercise is beneficial for managing arthritis and your overall health.

It can strengthen muscles that support your painful joints, preserve and increase joint range of motion, improve sleep quality, boost your mood and sense of well-being and help you lose excess pounds that add stress to painful joints.

Exercise can only add to the quality of your life so you should consider giving it a try.

Do you impatiently look around a department store, hoping to catch the eye of a salesperson willing to help you get the best fit in a style that flatters as it supports? Bare Secrets, created by Deanna Boatswain-Purcell wants to change that process. With her personal touch, Deanna strives to make all her clients comfortable and confident choosing intimates, swimwear and accessories to suit their style.

You panic and quickly try to swipe them away, but they end up smearing, leaving you with dark smudges under your eyes. You try to put more concealer over them, but it turns your under-eyes grey and you look like you got into a fist fight.

You throw in the towel, and wash your face. You don’t have time to redo your makeup so you either go bare-faced, or worst case, you don’t go at all. So yes, as I mentioned, fallout is awful. Luckily there are several different ways to prevent or work around the occurrence of fallout.

The best way to minimise fallout would be to use an eyeshadow primer. Priming will not only create a sticky base for eyeshadow to adhere to, making it appear more vibrant, but will reduce the chance of it dropping onto your undereyes or cheeks. If you want to use sparkly eyeshadow, use an adhesive to prevent glitter particles from migrating throughout the day.

Generally, if you are doing a dark or sparkly look, I recommend that you do your eyes first. That way, you can wipe away any fallout before applying your face makeup.

As a precaution, you should always tap any excess eyeshadow off your brush before applying it to your eyes. Remember, whatever flies of your brush could have ended up on your cheeks.

When applying eyeshadows or pigments to the eyelid, pat them on instead of swiping. Patting will help your eyeshadows to adhere to your primer evenly.

Using a flat, firm, synthetic brush to apply shimmery, metallic or glittery eyeshadow will minimise fallout.

Fluffy brushes can send pigment and sparkles flying everywhere, creating a huge mess If you want to avoid fallout altogether, use cream eyeshadows. These will apply beautifully if you have dry skin. However, I would avoid them on their own if you have very oily skin.

To reduce fallout from loose pigments or shimmery eyeshadows, wet your brush with setting spray, skin mist or water. It will make your shadows appear more intense, but be careful doing this with matte eyeshadows, as moisture could ruin them.

You can multitask by using a gel under-eye patch prior to applying your face make up. It will prep your under-eyes and help concealer to go on more smoothly, while also catching fallout. I like Tarte Pack Your Bags 911 Under Eye Rescue Patches.

If you’ve already done your face makeup, use a shadow shield to protect your face from fallout. If you don’t have a shadow shield on hand, simply hold a tissue over your cheeks while you do your eyeshadow.

If you usually apply your face make up first, you can apply a generous amount of loose, translucent face powder to your under eyes, just like you’re baking. I like Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder or Sacha’s Buttercup Powder. This will catch any fallout.

Proceed to apply your eyeshadow, and when you’re done, dust away the excess powder and fallout with a fluffy brush. You’ll see how easily the fall out disappears. This is an old trick used by make-up artists for many years.

If you have mature or dry skin, I don’t recommend using this trick as the excessive powder can accentuate dryness.

Now, Jo-Zette (or Jo as her friends and colleagues call her) runs Maternity Mode, a boutique that carries a diverse selection of maternity clothing ranging from maternity work wear to casual wear to statement pieces for formal occasions. Additionally, Maternity Mode provides a growing range of products for expectant mothers and babies, including nursing bras, reusable nursing pads, baby sleeper, and postpartum underwear.

Yet, Jo is adamant that Maternity Mode is more than a business pushing its products: “At Maternity Mode, we celebrate the lifestyle of motherhood, we spread education, and strive to create a platform for women and their partners,” she says of the holistic approach the business has and the support they hope to lend to expectant parents.

Through partnerships with organisations throughout TT (such as the Breastfeeding Association of Trinidad and Tobago), the business hopes to also become a resource base for parents-to-be. “We see ourselves as a conduit of information – connecting soon-to-be mums with these institutions that provide valuable services.” The seedling of the idea for a maternity-focused boutique first came to Jo six years ago when her sister, a medical doctor, became pregnant and asked Jo to source pieces of maternity clothing for her upcoming journey. It was an opportunity to style her sister throughout her entire pregnancy – picking appropriate, budget-friendly pieces which could be mixed and matched for numerous occasions and moods – an opportunity Jo says helped her come to the realisation that women did not have to compromise personal style or comfort during pregnancy.

“What also stood out about that experience,” she continues, “was the confidence boost I observed in my sister; the fact that while her body was changing she could feel better about the process since she could dress appropriately and feel beautiful during each trimester.” In a society that places inordinate amounts of emphasis on physical and outward appearance, Jo says styling her pregnant sister contributed to a greater appreciation for the value of clothing in boosting self-confidence and uplifting one’s perspective. However, it wasn’t until a few years later after obtaining her Master’s in Public Administration and Business Administration and working in the corporate world, she decided to branch out on her own and further explore her interests in the business of fashion while also maintaining a business consultancy firm.

It was while working at this firm she first started Maternity Mode, which was then operating out of her one-bedroom apartment with her first customers being colleagues, friends, and her sister.

“After conducting some market research and doing my due diligence in terms of financial planning, I knew it made sense for me to take the risk and fully develop Maternity Mode on a full-time basis,” she says of the premeditation and planning necessary to enter a new business venture.

She reveals she never imagined owning a business would be so work-intensive claiming “it always looks easier from the outside”, but she continues to take each day with stride. The business, borne out of her passion to become an entrepreneur, is a testament to the entrepreneurial blood that runs in her veins.

“My father was self-employed for most of his life, so I like to tell people that, in a way, it was in my blood,” she quips, adding that when she decided to take the monumental step of leaving her full-time position with an international firm for the unsure path of entrepreneurship, she had both parents’ support.

“I also feel personally connected to mothers because I have such a tremendous one who made many personal sacrifices to ensure that my sisters and I had opportunities and access to more than she did,” she comments on why a business that serves mothers and mothers-to-be is one of her passions.

“Mothers play a major role in society and nation-building and it brings me joy to be part of that process, to interact with mums-to-be and to be taken along their journey.” She mentions that fathers have also visited her store, “and I take that opportunity to share information with them and let them feel very much part of the process.” Jo highlights that the total well being of her customers is her priority. In terms of products, attention is paid to value-for-money and the boutique’s services include styling, concierge options, and event planning services offering varying degrees of convenience based on the needs of individual clients.

“Confidentiality and great customer service is very important to us because many people have varied family structures and personal stories, so we strive to make our customers feel comfortable,” she describes the quality of service she provides.

In addition to such services, the boutique is open to listening to their clients and adjusting their services and product portfolio to respond appropriately to such needs. Maternity Mode’s mission, according to Jo, is to meet the fashion and lifestyle needs of the niche demographic of pregnant women and new mothers, as well as help mothers and their partners embrace the journey to and through motherhood.

Yesterday, Saturday May 6, Maternity Mode hosted its premier “Moms and Mocktails” event at the Fanatic Kitchen Studio. In addition to the appetisers, non-alcoholic cocktails, and music, the feature speaker invited to address guests was clinical psychologist, Dr Linda Gunpath of Elders Associate Limited. Jo says the carded topic of discussion, “Finding the Me in Mom(me)” is a pertinent topic that addresses the evolving identity of the woman as she transitions to motherhood.

She hopes to host more “Moms and Mocktails” events later this year and says the goal is to offer her clients their own intimate space on the social life spectrum where they can network with others going through similar life experiences, as well as walk away more empowered and informed.

“Our vision is that one day, we can say that Maternity Mode is a household name and synonymous with anything – and everything – maternity, mummy, and baby-related,” she says of her hopes for her business, with its delicate marriage of practical products and services as well as holistic client interventions that hope to enhance the path to and through motherhood for new parents.

She says the name is evocative of a sexy mysteriousness, hinting at the intimate nature of the items she carries without being vulgar or distasteful.

The family woman and mother of two from La Brea has a Bachelor’s in Business Management but after seven years of professional work she desired more fulfillment in her career. With the gracious support system of her family, she was encouraged to follow her dream of becoming an entrepreneur and opened Bare Secrets in 2014.

Although still employed at an “8-4” job, Bare Secrets has given her an outlet to be her own boss and supply services and products that make her proud.

“I love what I do, I love making my customers happy, I love seeing them satisfied,” says a loquacious Deanna of the close relationship she shares with her clientele.

Today, she speaks with WMN of her entrepreneurial path, the reasons her clientele feels comfortable and applaud her quality service, and what makes “Bare Secrets” a thriving business.

Q What is being an entrepreneur like? What challenges and triumphs have you experienced since embarking on this journey?

Being an entrepreneur is fun and exciting, it has always been something I wanted. Probably (because) I grew up with both parents being involved in businesses of their own, which encouraged me from young to be my own boss. As in everything, there are challenges. My schedule is extremely hectic. Being based online, I have deliveries which are done sometimes daily. So I do deliveries on a Saturday and after work hours on Monday to Friday. My family assists whenever needed (I am thankful for them!). However, those challenges are nothing compared to the satisfaction that I get when customers call or send messages regarding their contentment with their purchases.

Q Would you say your professional work relates to some of your personal passions?

Most definitely! There is a joy in being able to give a customer that confident satisfaction when they try on or purchase something. We as women all want to feel confident on a daily basis; we are no longer a society that keeps things for special occasions because every day is special in itself. So, my main focus was to ensure that each customer felt confident about themselves when trying on any garment we offer.

Q Tell us about “Bare Secrets” – when was its genesis, why did you choose to focus on intimate apparel and swimwear, and what has your customer response been like?

Bare Secrets officially started on May 25, 2014.

I chose Intimate Apparel after research in the industry and what was needed as well as what I like. I did the entire Business Plan and surveys.

When I was finished, I knew that this is the market I would like to be part of. I wanted the customers to have undies that matched… swimwear that suited their body type, comfortable sleepwear, accessories that are needed … My mission is to give the customers what they are looking for in an atmosphere which is discreet, comfortable and satisfying, (which) invites customers to feel comfortable when purchasing.

Q What are some of your bestselling products? And how do you stay in touch with what your clientele wants?

Oh, lingerie and swimwear are the bestselling ones. Because we are focused on being discreet and convenient, customers are comfortable with the way in which we interact. I go to meetings organized by someone who is interested and they can invite a number of other women to view the items, try on and purchase. I keep a record of what is required by some because the thing about women, we are talkers, so they message, “Hey do you have this?” or “Can you get it for me?” and that makes it easy with us staying in touch.

Q Who is your market at Bare Secrets? Why should they choose Bare Secrets for their intimate apparel and swimwear choices?

My market ranges from 18 to 65 plus. I cater for everyone. I try to incorporate current styles with comfort. It’s one thing to look gorgeous but it’s another to feel comfortable so that’s why I aim to have my customers choose me… I want them to be comfortable while being fashionable.

Q What do you believe makes you and your business unique, sellable, and relatable?

Service, Availability, Appreciation. We offer a service where we care more than just about the sale of an item, we care about how you feel. Because we’re based online, I try to be as accessible as possible, be it meeting for deliveries or coming to the comfort of your home/business for you to try and purchase items. And we appreciate all our customers, we are focused on ensuring they are all satisfied when they purchase

Q What is it like having a business in your hometown? How does it feel to be part of economic and entrepreneurial growth and expansion?

It’s great, actually. La Brea is a small community, when I launched I must say support was great. I have a few customers who are frequently calling … for something new to be added to their intimate stash. And that is actually very rewarding to know that in our community you can add growth and people don’t have to venture far for what they need.

Q What is your advice to other women who may be thinking of starting their own businesses? What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned?

The most important thing I have learnt is that when God births you with a vision no matter how many bumps may come, keep pressing. We women are made for this. The ups and downs, the ins and outs of life. Things will not always be perfect but in knowing who you serve He allows us to be prepared for whatever comes.

Last words or thoughts?

When you love what you do it’s never too much to go the extra mile… it becomes who you are.

God has blessed us all with talents and we may sometimes think this isn’t for us, but He knows why He chose to birth that idea in you. Leap out in Faith.