The Holistic Entrepreneurial Reorganization (Her) program, powered by a coalition of global and regional feminist partners, is a bold and transformative investment in women-led recovery, financial empowerment, and holistic care. By integrating mentorship, financial literacy, mental health support, exercise, nutrition and catalytic business funds, she will restore, lead women entrepreneurs in Maylow with purpose and compassion, equip them to drive scalable economic and social change across St. Vincent and Grenadyne.
Maylow, Saint Vincent, Grenadine– Nation building is not just about infrastructure and policy work. It is based on strengthening human capabilities, community resilience and comprehensive leadership. The Holistic Antrepreneurial Reframing program, implemented by grassroots nonprofit Mayreau Inc. (WAM), does it through care, collaboration and economic empowerment.
Launched in the wake of Hurricane Beryl and in response to the enduring economic and social vulnerabilities of South Grenazine, she is a 12-week pilot program that provides guidance, wellness support, and small business funding to female entrepreneurs. With funding and support from the Coalition of Global and Regional Feminist Partners, Global Fund for Women, Caribbean Leadership (St Kitts Division), and the Caribbean Feminist Climate Justice Movement, she represents a model of transformational recovery by placing women at the forefront of climate revival and regional development.
Her first cohort included four dynamic entrepreneurs from Maylow. Dorothy Fode from Coconut Bar & Restaurant, Loreta Simmons Isacks from Rolo, Nadi Cover Solomew from Nadiz, and Venesia Oliviere from Uccaman. Working primarily in tourism and foodservice, these women embody their leadership under entrepreneurship and pressure. Each participant received US$1,000 in SME funding and accessed a wide range of comprehensive resources, more critically.
The program distinguished itself by integrating personal and professional development through an introductory two-part series on personalized mental health plans, fitness and nutrition training, financial literacy tools, business planning sessions, and an introductory two-part series on “gender and the environment.” These tools provided both immediate relief and mapping of long-term pathways for growth. A hand-picked team of facilitators was supported by Madanna Douglas-Johnson of Vincyklus Inc. (Business Planning Through Proposal Development), Mindthrive Co. (Mental Health and Coaching), Selreen Gibson of Swooshbomb Fitness (Wellness and Nutrition), Stacy Balcume of Hibiscus Balcus Balcus In addition, participants were supported by Mayreau executive director and founder Marion Isaacs and strategy consultant Jessica Jaja.
She builds on the belief that entrepreneurship does not exist in the vacuum. As caregivers, business leaders and community anchors, we aim to recognize the complex realities faced by women and empower them at all levels. By providing a safe and positive space, her woman was able to reconstruct the clarity, confidence and integrity between personal values ​​and business goals.
“Disasters can bring some of our darkest human traits center stages, but they give birth to the most beautiful aspects of our humanity,” Marion Isaac said.
Jessica Jaja described the program as “a comprehensive approach to professionally supporting women,” saying it is “to fill in mental and physical well-being that genuine transformation and impact can be possible.” She praised the dedication of everyone involved, from participants to facilitators and funders.
The program concluded with a sincere closing ceremony on April 11, 2025 with the escape of Maylow’s ranch. Participants, families, community members and guest speaker Aria Raidro Ferdinand is an advisor to one of her fundraising partners, the Caribbean feminist climate justice movement, attended the ceremony, honoring participants’ achievements and highlighting the program’s wider impact. In her remarks, Raidrow Ferdinand said: “You are all national leaders of the movement of climate, gender and economic justice. Your experience is wisdom and responsibility. Building resilience means that infrastructure, environmental stewardship, environmental stewardship, gender-responsible actions mean that they compensate for it.
She doesn’t just support small businesses. It fosters leadership, deepens community resilience, and model new approaches to nation building. It provides a gender-sensitive and disaster response framework for small island developing countries tackling climate-related crises and economic unrest.
As we are Mayreau Inc., we are preparing to scale her nationwide, so our vision is clear. It is a restoration effort that celebrates adaptation communities led by empowered women, where care work is recognized as a critical infrastructure, and emotional healing and economic justice. She’s more than a program. It is a move towards a fair and climate-sensitive future for St. Vincent and Grenadine.
Founded in 2016, We Are Mayreau Inc. is an all-woman grassroots initiative. Its mission is to improve access and participation, health and well-being, environmental management, and education and entrepreneurship for the residents of small island communities. WAM is a registered nonprofit organization of St. Vincent and Grenadine, with projects and programs supported and supported by local, local and international partners.
[Photos by Sebastian Cyrus for Offhannd: 1) HER program participants, facilitators, mentors, assistants, and advisory council member from the Caribbean Feminist Climate Justice Movement pictured during the closing ceremony (L–R): Dorothy Forde, Stacy Balcombe, Madanna Douglas-Johnson, Venecia Ollivierre, Aria Laidlow-Ferdinand, Marion Isaacs, Selreen Gibson, Nadica Bartholomew, Kimmette Robertson, Jessica Jaja, and Maria Isaacs-Francois. 2) HER Inaugural Cohort (L-R): Venecia Ollivierre, Nadica Bartholomew, Loretha Simmons-Isaacs and Dorothy Forde.]
