When Caribbean Women Rise, the World Takes Notice
In a region known for its creativity, resilience, and rhythm, few stories shine as brightly as that of Shelly-Ann Aqui Solomon, a Trinidadian powerhouse redefining what it means to be a woman in business across the Caribbean.
Named the Winner of the 2025 Caribbean POSH Icon Women Entrepreneur Excellence Award, chosen from among 24 nominees across 14 islands, Shelly-Ann’s journey is more than a success story; it’s a movement.
Her message? That Caribbean women are not just participants in entrepreneurship, they are architects of global impact.
Life by Design
Shelly-Ann’s story resonates because it’s real. Like many of us, she didn’t start with a perfect plan or a privileged position. She started with purpose.
With just $40 and a dream, she was able to flip that seemingly insignificant amount into seven figures and build a globally recognized brand. Now her mission is helping women turn their side hustles (those late-night projects and weekend dreams) into legitimate, profitable businesses. Over the years, she has guided hundreds of women from over 30 territories to move from undervalued to unstoppable, building enterprises with global reach and financial freedom.
What makes her journey remarkable is not just the scale of her success but her commitment to showing others the way.
“You are not too small to be seen, and your story is not too ordinary to be heard,” she often says.
“Visibility is power, and clarity is freedom.”
Community Is the New Currency
For many Caribbean entrepreneurs, the challenge isn’t talent, it’s exposure, and that exposure is exactly what has helped Shelly as well as her community grow and thrive.
Truthfully, Shelly-Ann did not pursue visibility just to be seen, but she understood how showing up and sharing her story could impact the lives of Caribbean women, allowing them to learn her strategies so that they too, can create the life they desire.
Her rise to media prominence demonstrates the undeniable power of strategic visibility. Her consistent storytelling across media, coupled with a strong personal brand message, has helped her stand out in saturated markets both regionally and internationally.
When she landed the cover of Easy Magazine Barbados, it wasn’t by luck. It was by intentional design.
Every interview, every appearance, every article was part of a larger vision to position her not just as a businesswoman, but as a beacon of empowerment for women across the Caribbean diaspora.
And that’s where her biggest lesson lies for entrepreneurs reading this today:
Visibility reveals credibility, credibility attracts opportunity, and boosts belief of what is truly possible………. that’s where the magic starts
If you want to grow your business, don’t wait for others to notice you. Craft your narrative. Show up where your audience is. Share your expertise generously. Because in today’s market, the most visible brand wins.
“I believe and practice if there’s no stage, build your own, if you’re not invited to have a seat at the table, build your own and invite others to have a seat. Not every ambitious impactful woman gets a seat or invitation on stage” Shelly-Ann states
The Picture of Possibility Playbook: Actionable Tips for Caribbean Entrepreneurs
1. Own Your Story — Don’t Wait for Permission
Too many entrepreneurs stay silent because they fear being “too much” or “not enough.” Shelly-Ann’s advice? Share your journey, both the wins and the challenges.
Every challenge you’ve overcome is a story that can inspire someone else. The more authentic your narrative, the more magnetic your brand becomes.
Pro Tip: Write your “origin story.” Ask yourself:
- Why did I start my business?
- Who am I helping, and how is my work transforming their lives?
- What makes my approach different?
Your story is not just content — it’s currency.
2. Turn Your Passion into a System
Shelly-Ann often reminds her clients: “Passion is your spark, but systems are your fire.” (Fuel)
It’s not enough to love what you do; you need structure. That means creating repeatable systems that allow your business to operate without you having to do everything yourself.
She teaches women how to move from solopreneurship to leadership, building processes, delegating tasks, and thinking like CEOs.
Pro Tip:
Start small. Automate one repetitive task this month. Whether it’s scheduling social media, managing emails, or tracking invoices, find a tool or hire support to free up your time for strategic growth.
3. Position Yourself as a Thought Leader
Your voice matters…… but only if people hear it.
Shelly-Ann’s media success wasn’t accidental. She positioned herself as an expert in business transformation and women’s empowerment, consistently offering value, not just visibility.
Whether through articles, podcasts, or speaking engagements, she made it clear: “I don’t just talk business — I build women.”
Pro Tip:
Start showing up as the expert you already are.
- Write short thought pieces for local publications or LinkedIn.
- Offer to be a guest on regional podcasts.
- Host free webinars or Instagram Lives to share tips.
Thought leadership builds trust and trust converts to sales, opportunities, and impact.
4. Network with Intention
Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about building connections.
Shelly-Ann attributes much of her momentum to strategic collaboration. Creating communities and partnering with other women in business, supporting their launches, and showing up in rooms (both virtual and physical) where her ideal clients and partners were already present.
She’s living proof that collaboration, not competition, fuels growth.
Pro Tip:
Make a list of five people or organizations that align with your vision. Reach out with a clear idea of how you can create mutual value not just a sales pitch.
The right partnership can catapult your brand into new territories faster than any advertisement.
5. Stay Rooted in Purpose, Not Popularity
Even as her profile skyrockets across the U.S. and Caribbean, Shelly-Ann remains deeply grounded in her mission: to help women recognize their worth and walk in their power.
In her words, “Your business is an act of service. When you remember that, everything you build becomes legacy.”
For Caribbean entrepreneurs, this is gold. Popularity can come and go, but purpose sustains. It reminds you why you started, keeps your integrity intact, and ensures your growth benefits others — not just your bottom line.
Pro Tip:
Revisit your “why” at least once a quarter. Write it somewhere visible (in your workspace, on your phone, or on your mirror). When the challenges come (and they will), your “why” will keep you moving forward.
From Island Roots to Global Reach
What makes Shelly-Ann Aqui Solomon’s story so extraordinary is that she represents the best of what the Caribbean has to offer, ingenuity, resilience, and the unshakable belief that our small islands can produce world-class impact.
She’s not just trending across borders, she’s transforming the narrative about what Caribbean women can achieve when they own their brilliance.
For every entrepreneur reading this: whether you’re in Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent, Grenada, Bahamas, or Turks and Caicos, let this be your reminder:
You are not defined by your location. You are defined by your vision.
And in a world more connected than ever, your island is not your limitation; it’s your launchpad.
Blending Caribbean culture with global best practices and makes you and your brand captivating and memorable.
As we celebrate Entrepreneurship Month (and Women’s Entrepreneurship Day), the message from Shelly-Ann Aqui Solomon is clear:
“The Caribbean woman’s story is no longer one of survival, it’s one of significance. We are Caribbean & we are capable”
Your business is more than a source of income. It’s your legacy. It’s the proof that Caribbean women are not waiting for opportunities — we’re creating them.
So, dream big.
Step forward. Stand tall. Show up. Speak out.
And remember, like Shelly-Ann, you too can move from undervalued to unstoppable.
Because the world isn’t just ready to hear your story……. it needs it.
