What happens when one of the Caribbean’s top data minds builds a tech platform instead of a consultancy? You get a masterclass in turning information into influence

In this episode of The Value, Kevin Valley talks with Raquel Seville, founder of Dataffluent, about the role of data infrastructure in shaping how the region scales AI, drives smarter business decisions, and builds valuation-ready companies.

They unpack why AI needs local data, how dashboards drive smarter business decisions, and what it takes to move from service provider to tech builder.

Topics include:

• Data strategies for fundraising and valuation

• Using AI agents in business workflows

• Building scalable tools in small markets

Learn more about Raquel at dataffluent.com

Join host Kevin Valley as he dives into the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Jay Jackson, an award-winning entrepreneur and author. Jay shares his evolution from corporate life to owning a real estate company and establishing RYSE Creative Village, a nurturing hub for creators in music, film, and gaming. Discover his passion for community development and empowering artists, the importance of faith, curiosity, and mentorship, and his vision to bridge the gap between creators and major platforms like Netflix. Tune in for motivational insights, practical advice, and Jay's exciting plans for national expansion of RYSE Creative Village and their empowering efforts through crowdfunding. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey 00:51 Welcome to the Podcast 01:06 Introducing Jay Jackson 02:26 Jay Jackson's Philosophy on Dreams and Passion 03:58 Jay Jackson's Early Career and Entrepreneurial Seed 04:27 The Turning Point: Delivery Job Experience 12:41 Venturing into Real Estate 17:42 Navigating the 2008 Financial Crisis 20:36 From Real Estate to Salon Ownership 24:14 The Power of Curiosity and Execution 27:56 Leadership and Team Building 32:01 Cubicle to CEO: The Book 42:19 Rise Magazine and Community Impact 44:32 Launching on a National Scale 45:08 Relocating to Atlanta 46:27 Final Event in Orlando 52:04 Building RYSE Creative Village 59:28 Acquiring the School Property 01:06:22 Curating Creativity and Business Savvy 01:13:25 Funding and Crowdfunding Campaign 01:20:33 Long-term Vision and Challenges 01:26:24 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of The Value, Kevin Valley interviews Dareem Jeffrey, the entrepreneur behind EcoWash—a car wash business that uses just two litres of water per vehicle.

Dareem discusses his journey from growing up in Trinidad to building a global business, overcoming significant challenges, and empowering youth through innovative business models.

Listen in to learn about his unique approach to franchising, the importance of resilience, and the strategies that have driven EcoWash's expansion across multiple countries.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Join us for an insightful episode of 'The Value' hosted by Kevin Valley, featuring Aldwyn Wayne, CEO and founder of WiPay Caribbean. Aldwyn shares WiPay's journey from its 2016 inception to its expansion across the Caribbean, West Africa, South America, and the U.S. Discover innovative solutions like Colour Bank and WeFets, and learn how WiPay navigated pandemic challenges and regulatory hurdles.

Aldwyn emphasizes the importance of customer feedback, flexible product offerings, and viable execution in startups. Get valuable insights on the FinTech landscape, entrepreneurship, and investment opportunities in the Caribbean.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Discover Check and Payment Processing

00:59 Welcome to the Podcast

02:42 WiPay's Journey and Achievements

04:26 Expansion and Innovations

06:29 Impact of the Pandemic on Business

11:16 Challenges and Strategies in FinTech

21:15 Entering New Markets: Columbia and Ghana

41:58 Building Business Ecosystems

44:27 Acquisitions and Strategic Moves

44:56 Travel Company Acquisition

47:21 Microfinance Company Acquisition

48:53 Valuing Acquisitions

52:55 Understanding Market Needs

59:15 Grenada Bacchanal Explained

01:03:38 Future of Caribbean Fintech

01:13:47 Web3 and Digital Payments

01:16:11 Final Thoughts and Advice

Links: WiPay website

WiTravel Watch this episode on YouTube

In this episode, we are with Nicholas Rees; a digital payment specialist, chartered accountant, private equity investor, and two-time Olympian from the Bahamas.

Nicholas discusses his PPP business model - People, Planet, Profit - and his multifaceted career journey from an Olympic swimmer to founding several businesses, including his successful digital payments platform, Kanoo.

He elaborates on his family's storied history, educational background, and extensive entrepreneurial ventures, such as his innovative water company, Everfresh. Nicholas also provides insight into Kanoo's operations, its role in the Bahamian digital currency ecosystem, digital financial inclusion efforts, and strategic acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of Trinidad-based fintech, LUHU.

He emphasizes the importance of technology investment in the Caribbean and shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region. Chapters: 02:50 Nicholas Rees' Early Life and Family Legacy 06:31 From Swimming to Business: The Transition 08:28 The Struggles and Triumphs of Starting a Business 10:48 The Water Business: A Social Impact Story 16:05 Educational Pursuits and Career Milestones 24:57 The Birth and Growth of Kanoo 29:21 Kanoo's Vision and Future Plans 31:13 Empowering Businesses with Digital Tools 34:05 The Sand Dollar: Bahamas' Digital Currency 36:57 Challenges and Innovations in Digital Payments 40:03 Financial Inclusion in Remote Areas 45:05 Kanoo's Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships 57:18 Investment Opportunities in Caribbean Tech 01:01:37 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 01:03:53 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, Kevin Valley engages with Bill Huston, a leading expert in the field of investment crowdfunding and recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the top 19 global crowdfunding professionals. Together, they explore the various forms of crowdfunding—donation, rewards, and investment—and discuss their unique advantages, particularly for underserved communities.

Bill sheds light on his journey from Cincinnati to becoming a prominent figure in the crowdfunding industry, emphasizing the significance of community, mentorship, and access to capital.

The discussion also highlights the need for increased awareness and education about crowdfunding among government bodies and financiers.

Bill outlines strategies to use crowdfunding as a demonstration of due diligence and the role of robust business plans. He acknowledges regional advancements, particularly in the Caribbean, and predicts a future with more opportunities for non-accredited investors through community-driven models.

Throughout the episode, Bill underscores that while not everyone may become an entrepreneur, everyone has the potential to be an investor.

Key Takeaways:

• Investment crowdfunding goes beyond financial returns by contributing to community wealth-building.
• The 'crowdfit' strategy is effective in helping small businesses hit their initial funding targets by engaging closely with their primary and secondary networks.
• There is a big opportunity for crowdfunding in international markets, although regulatory challenges need to be addressed.
• Crowdfunding has the potential to democratize access to investment opportunities, making it crucial for economic growth and community development.

Resources Mentioned:

• Fund Black Founders
• Kickstarter
• Indiegogo
• WeFunder
• Raiseway
• Crowdfund Better
• 10K Project

Chapters:

02:41 Bill Huston's Early Life and Career
07:50 Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
14:14 Crowdfunding Ventures and Challenges
21:15 The Power of Community Capital
31:07 Rewards vs. Investment Crowdfunding
39:22 The Power of Crowdfunding
40:54 Understanding SAFE Agreements
43:12 Challenges in Crowdfunding
43:19 The Role of Raiseway
44:31 Crowdfunding Statistics
45:15 The Importance of Community Support
46:03 Crowdfunding Education and Engagement
51:19 Crowdfit Investment Strategy
55:35 Ideal Products for Crowdfunding
01:01:25 Crowdfunding in the Caribbean
01:11:06 Future of Crowdfunding
01:15:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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In this episode, we converse with Will Greenblatt, an acclaimed author and public speaking coach who has aided founders in raising over $350 million. The discussion tackles the ever-present issue of stage fright and offers strategies to manage it effectively. Greenblatt shares his upbringing rooted in acting, his experiences as a child star, and overcoming various life challenges that shaped his approach to public speaking and entrepreneurship. Emphasizing the importance of founder market fit and personal connection to business problems, Greenblatt provides insights into what investors look for, such as credibility and effective communication. He underscores the emotional aspects of pitching and stresses authenticity and passion in delivering compelling pitches. The episode is filled with actionable advice on improving public speaking skills, building strong investor relationships, and mastering the art of compelling business pitches.

Chapters: 00:00 Overcoming Stage Fright 00:37 Introduction to the Podcast 01:00 Meet Will Greenblatt 02:06 Will's Acting Journey 02:57 Family Legacy and Early Acting Career 06:40 Challenges of Child Acting 14:58 Coping with Grief and Mental Health 30:30 Therapy and Personal Growth 37:17 The Fear of Public Speaking 38:19 Understanding Anxiety and Its Lies 39:58 Personal Experiences with Stage Fright 43:37 Overcoming Stage Fright: Practical Tips 55:18 The Five Acts Framework for Public Speaking 01:02:52 The Importance of Emotional Connection in Pitching 01:10:20 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

References

• Watch this interview on YouTube
• Transform Your Speaking Skills: Gain Confidence, Captivate Audiences and Advance Your Career by Will Greenblatt

For more of Will

• LinkedIn: Will Greenblatt
• YouTube: Your Public Speaking Coach