By Michelle Baptiste

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. April 1, 2026: April marks the intersection of Stress Awareness Month and Financial Literacy Month, two conversations that are often treated separately, but for women entrepreneurs, especially in the Caribbean, are deeply connected.

Because here is the truth many are afraid to say out loud: profit should not come at the cost of your peace.

For too long, women have been conditioned to believe that financial success requires constant sacrifice …. long hours, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure to be everything to everyone. We are business owners, mothers, caregivers, partners, and community leaders. And while we are capable of carrying it all, the real question is: should we have to?

As the founder of a growing wellness and shapewear brand, I have lived this reality firsthand. My journey into entrepreneurship was not born from ease; it was built through personal loss, health challenges, and the responsibility of rebuilding my life while raising a family. I understand what it means to pursue income while managing stress, uncertainty, and expectation.

But what I’ve learned (and what I now teach) is this: sustainable success requires both financial strategy and emotional discipline.

The Hidden Cost Of “Hustle Culture”

Many women are building businesses in survival mode. They are earning, yes, but they are also overwhelmed, overextended, and one step away from burnout.

This is where financial literacy must evolve beyond numbers. It’s not just about how much you make, it’s about how you make it, what it costs you, and whether it’s sustainable.

If your business is profitable but you are constantly exhausted, disconnected, and stressed, then the model needs to be re-evaluated.

Because burnout is not a badge of honor. It is a warning sign.

Building Profit Without Burnout

The goal is not to work less, it’s to work smarter, with intention and structure. Here are four key strategies every woman entrepreneur should consider:

1: Build Systems, Not Just Sales
Many businesses rely heavily on the owner being present for every transaction. This creates pressure and limits growth. Simple systems, automated responses, structured workflows, and clear processes can free up time and mental space while maintaining income.

2: Price for Profit, Not Survival

Underpricing is one of the fastest ways to increase stress. When your pricing does not reflect your value, you are forced to work more just to meet basic financial goals.
 Financial literacy means understanding your numbers, your margins, and positioning your offer accordingly.

3. Protect Your Energy Like You Protect Your Income
Time is not your only resource; your energy is just as valuable. Set boundaries. Schedule rest. Create a business structure that allows you to step away without everything falling apart.

4. Align Your Business With Your Life
Too many women build businesses that look good on the outside but feel overwhelming on the inside. Your business should support your lifestyle—not consume it. That means designing a model that fits your capacity, your priorities, and your long-term vision.

Wellness As A Financial Strategy

There is a misconception that wellness and business are separate conversations. They are not. A stressed, exhausted entrepreneur cannot make clear decisions, lead effectively, or scale sustainably. Emotional well-being directly impacts financial performance.

When women prioritize their mental health, they show up more confidently, make better decisions, and build stronger, more profitable businesses. In other words, peace is productive.

A New Model For Women In Business

I believe this is the moment for women, especially in the Caribbean and across the diaspora – to redefine what success looks like. It is not just about revenue. It is about freedom, clarity, and sustainability. It is about building businesses that allow you to:

Earn well

Live fully

Rest without guilt

And grow without breaking

We do not have to choose between profitability and peace. We can have both, but only if we are willing to challenge the old narrative that says success must come at the expense of sacrifice. Because the future of women in business is not burnout. It is balance, strategy, and self-worth.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Michelle Baptiste is a Caribbean entrepreneur and founder of Selecfit, a wellness and shapewear brand rooted in confidence, resilience, and purpose. Through her work, she champions women building successful businesses without sacrificing their well-being, drawing from her own journey of motherhood and perseverance to inspire women across the Caribbean and diaspora. Connect with her on social media: Facebook & YouTube: @SelecFit; Instagram & TikTok: @selecfitshapewear.

By NAN Business Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Mar. 27, 2026: Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil economies is accelerating, with billions of dollars in production and revenue reshaping the country’s economic future. But as output surges and development costs are steadily repaid, a critical question is emerging: who ultimately controls the wealth being generated?

Over the past five years, Guyana has moved from a frontier oil producer to a major global energy player. Production has rapidly expanded across multiple offshore projects led by ExxonMobil and its partners, with output now approaching nearly one million barrels per day. This dramatic rise has positioned Guyana as one of the most significant new oil producers globally.

At the same time, the country is nearing a key financial milestone. Billions of dollars in development costs – initially fronted by oil companies- are expected to be largely recovered by the end of 2026. This cost recovery phase has long been central to Guyana’s production sharing agreement, which allows companies to recoup investments before full profit sharing takes effect.

However, even as cost recovery nears completion, uncertainty remains around the timeline and structure of Guyana’s full profit realization. While the agreement includes a 50 percent profit-sharing framework, the pace at which Guyana will benefit from that full share remains subject to production dynamics, ongoing project costs, and the broader contractual structure in the Exxon contract.

For many observers, the issue is no longer whether Guyana will generate wealth – but how much of that wealth will remain within the country.

“The issue is no longer growth – it’s control,” said Felicia J. Persaud, the Guyana-born, CEO of Invest Caribbean and founder of AI Capital Exchange. “The next phase for Guyana is not about increasing production, but about increasing participation in the value chain.”

That distinction is critical. While oil revenues are already boosting Guyana’s GDP and government income, long-term economic impact will depend on how effectively the country captures value beyond extraction. This includes local participation in services, infrastructure development, downstream industries, and financial structuring.

The stakes are significant. At current production levels, Guyana’s oil sector is generating billions annually, creating unprecedented fiscal space for national development. Yet, without strong systems to channel and structure that capital, much of the economic benefit risks flowing outward through existing global energy and financial networks. Despite becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing economies due to oil, Guyana faces high poverty, with estimates suggesting 38% to over 50% of the population lives below the poverty line, particularly affecting indigenous communities. Rapid economic growth has not yet fully translated into broad-based prosperity, resulting in high inequality, significant emigration, and rising costs of living

This dynamic is not unique to Guyana. Across the Caribbean, countries are increasingly navigating a similar challenge: how to convert growth into structured, retained wealth. From tourism to energy to financial services, the region is seeing rising revenues—but also facing persistent gaps in capital access, deal structuring, and investment alignment.

Guyana’s case, however, is the most visible example of this transition. As one of the world’s newest oil economies, it represents both the promise and the complexity of resource-driven growth in a globalized system.

The next phase of Guyana’s development will depend on how it navigates this shift—from production to participation, from revenue to control.

As global capital continues to move and reposition, the question for Guyana is no longer whether it can grow, but whether it can structure that growth in a way that ensures long-term national benefit.

Because in today’s global economy, generating billions is only the beginning.

RELATED: Guyana To Repay Billions In Exxon Costs, But Profit Share Still Unclear

By Nan Business Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. March 20, 2026: The Caribbean’s and Jamaica’s tourism sector is seeing a major vote of confidence, as Sandals Resorts International moves forward with a $200 million reinvestment across three flagship properties, signaling long-term optimism in the island’s hospitality industry.

The sweeping upgrade – part of what the company is calling its “Sandals 2.0” transformation – will reshape Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, and Sandals South Coast, all of which have remained closed since Hurricane Melissa struck in October 2025.

Caribbean Tourism Reinvestment Accelerates: Sandals’ $200M Jamaica Upgrade Signals Long-Term Confidence

A Strategic Rebuild, Not Just Recovery

Originally expected to reopen in May, the resorts will now return later in the year following a decision to expand the scope of renovations.

Sandals South Coast is now set to reopen on November 18th.

Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean will reopen on December 18th.

Rather than simply restoring damaged infrastructure, the company is using the downtime to deliver a comprehensive redesign – an approach that reflects a broader shift toward premium tourism experiences and long-term value creation.

“The opportunity to completely reimagine three resorts at this scale… is extraordinarily rare,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

What The $200M Investment Will Deliver

The transformation will include:

Reimagined resort entrances and arrival experiences

New accommodation categories

Redesigned pools and expanded social spaces

Updated lounges and entertainment areas

New and enhanced dining concepts

The upgrades are designed to elevate the guest experience while strengthening Jamaica’s position as a leading Caribbean luxury tourism destination.

Confidence in Jamaica’s Tourism Future

Beyond the physical upgrades, the scale of the investment underscores Sandals’ confidence in Jamaica’s long-term tourism outlook.

Tourism remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs and driving foreign exchange earnings. Investments of this magnitude send a strong signal to both international travelers and industry stakeholders that Jamaica remains resilient and globally competitive.

Stewart emphasized that the closures presented a rare opportunity to rethink the properties from the ground up.

“With our doors closed, we were given something we almost never have in hospitality: a true blank canvas, and having that clarity changed everything,” he said. “We spent time walking the properties, speaking with our team and thinking about our guests. At a pivotal moment, it became clear: we shouldn’t simply restore what was there. We should dream bigger. When we welcome our guests back, they’ll see the transformation and they’ll feel exactly why we chose to use this moment to create something worthy of their loyalty.”

Positioning For the Next Phase of Growth

The “Sandals 2.0” initiative reflects a broader trend across the Caribbean, where tourism operators are moving beyond recovery toward modernization, innovation, and premium positioning.

By reinvesting at scale, Sandals is not only rebuilding its properties but also helping to reinforce Jamaica’s brand as a destination that delivers high-quality, immersive, and globally competitive experiences.

As the resorts prepare to reopen later this year, the message is clear:

Jamaica is not just recovering – it is upgrading.

RELATED: Wyndham Grand Barbados Highlights How Caribbean Travelers Can Earn Free Stays Through Wyndham Rewards

By NAN Business Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Mar. 20, 2026: Guyana is on track to fully repay ExxonMobil billions of dollars in oil development costs by the end of 2026, marking a major milestone in the country’s rapidly expanding oil economy.

But even as that financial burden clears, a critical question remains unanswered: When will Guyana actually receive its full 50% share of oil profits?

Guyana: Govt. Set To Repay Billions In Oil Costs But Full 50% Profit Still Uncertain Exxon Says

According to ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge, the country could wipe out the remaining US$5 billion in recoverable costs this year – faster than originally projected – driven by rising global oil prices and increasing production levels.

Oil Boom Accelerates Cost Recovery

Guyana’s oil production, which began in 2019, has surged to approximately 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) and is expected to climb even higher with new projects coming online. At the same time, global oil prices – now hovering above US$100 per barrel, compared to earlier projections of $60 — are dramatically accelerating revenue flows.

Under the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), ExxonMobil is allowed to recover up to 75% of oil revenues each month to cover its expenses before profits are split.

“With the current oil price environment, cost recovery could happen this year instead of 2027,” Routledge said.

That means Guyana, which has so far been receiving a smaller share of revenues – roughly 14.5% into its Natural Resource Fund – could soon see a significant increase in earnings.

The Big Question: When Does Guyana Get 50%?

Despite the positive outlook, ExxonMobil cannot confirm when Guyana will begin consistently receiving its full 50% share of profits, as outlined in the PSA.

Routledge emphasized that the actual percentage depends on multiple factors:

Oil prices

Production volumes

Ongoing project expenditures

“What exactly that percentage is depends on oil price, volume, and spending levels,” he explained.

This uncertainty has reignited debate about whether Guyana is truly maximizing its benefits from one of the most lucrative oil discoveries in recent history.

$40 Billion Already Spent – And More Coming

ExxonMobil has already invested approximately US$40 billion across seven approved offshore projects in the Stabroek Block.

Even as the cost bank shrinks, the company is pushing ahead with additional developments, including:

Longtail (8th project)

Haimara (9th project)

These projects will further boost production and revenues — but also introduce new costs into the system.

Still, Routledge insists that rising production will offset future expenses, ensuring Guyana does not return to accumulating large cost balances.

A High-Stakes Oil Future

Guyana’s rapid transformation into a global oil powerhouse is reshaping not just its economy, but the entire Caribbean energy landscape.

With production expected to exceed 1 million barrels per day in the coming years, the country is poised to become one of the top per capita oil producers in the world.

However, the structure of the PSA continues to draw scrutiny, particularly around:

Cost recovery limits

Profit-sharing timelines

Transparency in financial flows

Boom or Balance?

For now, Guyana stands at a pivotal moment.

On one hand, soaring oil prices and production gains are accelerating revenue and clearing billions in debt to ExxonMobil.

On the other, the timeline for fully realizing its 50% profit share remains uncertain, leaving many to question how much of the oil boom is truly benefiting the country – and when.

As global energy markets shift and new projects come online, the stakes for Guyana have never been higher.

The oil is flowing. The money is growing. But the full payoff is still a waiting game.

RELATED: Exxon Mobil Massive Guyana Expansion – New FPSO to Add 250,000 BPD As Cost Dispute Escalates

By Ron Cheong

News Americas, TORONTO, Canada, Thurs. Mar. 12, 2026: Half a century after its founding, the Caribbean Community faces perhaps the most consequential moment in its history. The emergence of Guyana as a major oil producer and potential agricultural powerhouse has given the region something it has long lacked – the possibility of real food and energy security. Yet, that opportunity is unfolding amid intensifying geopolitical competition in the Caribbean basin, renewed pressure from external powers, and growing divisions within the region itself. The question confronting CARICOM today is: will the organization finally move toward deeper integration built around Guyana’s economic rise, or will great-power rivalry and regional fragmentation prevent that vision from taking shape?

CARICOM Members in Dark Green and Associate Members in Light Green

Origins And Evolution Of CARICOM

CARICOM was founded in 1973 with the by four states: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago – replacing the earlier Caribbean Free Trade Association, (CARIFTA). Its founding leaders envisioned a unified community capable of pooling resources, coordinating foreign policy, and amplifying the voice of small states internationally.

Those ambitions, however, were tempered by structural realities. Geography scattered the member states across a wide maritime region with weak transport links. Many economies depended on the same sectors: tourism, small-scale agriculture, and remittances -limiting opportunities for complementary trade. Newly independent governments were reluctant to surrender sovereignty to regional institutions. As a result, while CARICOM expanded to fifteen members and developed mechanisms such as the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, it has often functioned more as a forum for cooperation than a deeply integrated economic union.

The challenge is whether the group of countries can overcome the obstacle and achieve greater integration or succumb to pressure and become more fragmented.

The Optimistic Scenario: Integration And The Rise Of A Caribbean Economic Core

In the most optimistic scenario, CARICOM evolves into a cohesive regional bloc, with Guyana at the center. Offshore oil discoveries have turned Guyana into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with production potentially exceeding one million barrels per day. At the same time, its vast freshwater resources and arable land could allow Guyana to supply the region with staple foods – a critical advantage for a region that imports the majority of its food.

If these resources are harnessed collectively that could: stabilize oil and energy costs across CARICOM states, achieve regional food security with expanded agricultural output, and improve trade mobility through infrastructure improvements.

Regional leaders like Mia Mottley have advocated using Guyana’s rise as a foundation for deeper economic cooperation, Stronger supply chains, and collective diplomacy on issues ranging from climate finance to trade. In this scenario, CARICOM transforms from a consultative forum into a more integrated economic and political entity, capable of exercising greater influence globally – much smaller but not unlike the European-style union.

Less Optimistic Scenario: Fragmentation Under Great-Power Pressure

The less favorable trajectory sees CARICOM weakened by geopolitical pressures and internal divisions. The United States has renewed its focus on the region, aiming to counter China’s growing economic footprint and limit the influence of governments aligned with Venezuela and Cuba.

Internal divisions complicate matters. Some states, including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, maintain strong ties with Washington, while others, led by figures like former Prime Minister of St. Vincent Ralph Gonsalves, favoured continued engagement with Venezuela. Territorial disputes, particularly over Venezuela’s claims to the Guyana’s Essequibo region, further strain regional cohesion.

The Complication Of Cuba

An additional and sensitive dimension of Caribbean geopolitics involves the role of Cuba, which had maintained deep relationships with many CARICOM countries for decades.

Since the 1970s, Cuba has provided medical professionals, teachers, disaster relief teams, and scholarships across the Caribbean. Cuban medical brigades have been especially significant in small island states where healthcare capacity is limited. In several CARICOM countries, Cuban doctors have staffed rural clinics and supported hospitals during public health crises and natural disasters.

But US pressure is increasingly causing a divide: some states have reduced engagement with Havana, while others continue cooperation. This divide emerges even as Cuba faces a severe humanitarian crisis, adding moral and diplomatic complexity to CARICOM decision-making. The region is forced to navigate the tension between strategic alignment with Washington and longstanding solidarity with Havana.

U.S. – China Competition And The Caribbean

Over the past two decades, China has expanded its economic presence through loans, infrastructure projects, and construction contracts, building ports, highways, government buildings, and stadiums across the region. For many Caribbean governments, Chinese financing filled an investment gap left by declining Western engagement.

The United States, however, increasingly views these developments through the lens of strategic rivalry. In response, Washington has intensified diplomatic outreach and security cooperation in the Caribbean, seeking to counter Chinese influence and reinforce longstanding economic ties.

For small Caribbean states, this rivalry creates both opportunity and risk. Access to multiple partners can provide valuable investment and development options, but competing pressures also threaten to divide the region and complicate the pursuit of collective policy

Guyana’s Strategic Balancing Act

Between these two futures lies the delicate balancing act facing Guyana.

As the region’s emerging energy powerhouse and a potential agricultural hub, Guyana could serve as the economic anchor for deeper Caribbean integration. But its rapid rise also places it at the center of regional geopolitics. The country must manage close security cooperation with the United States while navigating relations with neighbors that maintain differing diplomatic orientations.

At the same time, Guyana faces direct pressure from Venezuela’s territorial claims, making regional solidarity particularly important for its security.

In this sense, Guyana’s trajectory is inseparable from CARICOM’s broader future. Whether its economic transformation becomes a catalyst for regional integration, or a source of new tensions, will depend on how effectively its growth is woven into a wider Caribbean strategy

The Choice Ahead

Half a century after its founding, CARICOM is at a defining moment. Guyana’s rise offers the region an unprecedented opportunity to secure food and energy independence, strengthen economic resilience, and unify its diplomatic voice. But external pressures – from the US, China, and the legacy of Cuba -Venezuela relations, threaten to fracture the organization.

The Caribbean rarely commands global headlines, but the choices being made today may shape the region for a generation. If Guyana’s rise becomes the foundation for regional integration, CARICOM could finally fulfill the vision of its founders. If not, the Caribbean risks drifting into a patchwork of competing alignments in an era of renewed great-power rivalry. The difference between those futures may depend on whether the region sees Guyana’s transformation as a national windfall – or the cornerstone of a shared Caribbean project.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ron Cheong is a frequent political commentator and columnist whose recent work focuses on international relations, economic resilience, and Caribbean-American affairs. He is a community activist and dedicated volunteer with extensive international banking experience. Now residing in Toronto, Canada, he is a fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto.

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