MillennialMarch 2022
In December 2021 Chantel O’Brian broke a 57 year drought for the Bahamas at the Miss Universe pageant. She became the first Bahamian woman to place in the top 10. While her success was historical her journey to get there was not a fairytale.
After resigning from her job to pursue her passion and business of coaching young women in pageantry, etiquette and runway, Chantelle was thrown a curveball during the pandemic. Chantel faced homelessness and was challenged at almost every point in 2020. Entering 2021 she did not see pageantry on the Horizon as she said she thought she had an already completed that part of her life after winning Miss Bahamas World in 2015 and competing in that international pageant.
“I did not have any inkling, feelings or emotional connection to being on stage again or going through the process. So when early last year it settled on my heart to do it again, I was pretty upset about it because I felt why are we doing this again. I felt I’ve given a lot of years towards pageantry and essentially, I tried out for this title in my first pageant in 2013, when I placed first runner up. It was kind of like I’ve been there and done that why go back to it? But I don’t think I had a choice in the matter I think it was purposed and timed to happen this way.” She said.
Chantel preparing to train young girls in etiquette
Six years after competing to win each prestigious title twice, both miss Bahamas universe and miss Bahamas world, Chantel not only won the Miss Bahamas title but rose to international acclaim when she claimed a spot in the top 16 then top 10.
The beauty queen said, “Firstly when I made it to the top 16, that was incredible because for so long we’ve been trying and for so long people thought it can’t happen. And in that moment, I was reminded that it absolutely can happen. Being called into the top 10 was a continued feeling of gratitude. I am absolutely humbled by the opportunity. Any opportunity that you have to represent your country on a global stage, that’s a privilege and for it to be highlighted in the ways it was, it’s a feeling I won’t ever get over.”
Chantel at NYFW
There were moments when Chantel said she felt fear but had to remember that nothing good comes easy. She said she had to realize that fear is inevitable.
“There is always the fear that you will not succeed. I think that success is only possible with failure and with the lessons that come along with it. Sometimes failure isn’t an enemy.
When it comes to business Lincoln Deal is no stranger to entrepreneurship. From a very early age Lincoln flexed his entrepreneurial muscle by selling lemonade, popsicle stick structures and homemade forts to his church members and neighborhood. Years later despite several challenges he started JetLink Adventures, a water sport company specializing in jet pack rides in the open water. Now with a desire to help The Bahamas develop food security another business was launched, Eeden Farms.
How it started…
It started in 2010 as a research project called “Project Eeden”, which analyzed the agricultural issues of The Bahamas. After a trip to Boston for the Forbes Under 30 summit in 2016 Lincoln’s idea began to sprout. He was introduced to Freight Farms, a global pioneer in hydroponic farms, and realized that this technology which uses trailers to grow hundreds of plants was the right ‘turnkey’ solution for the Bahamas.
Four years and three partners later Lincoln launches Eeden Farms in the midst of the pandemic. Lincoln and hisfounding partners Gilbert Cassar, Carlos Palacious, and Scott Blacquire felt that despite what seemed to be an economy retracting June 2020 was the perfect time to launch their business.
Their first Hydroponic container stationed at the BRON Business Center and began growing.
The Journey Continues…
For some the pandemic was a time for them to scale back, save money or pull out their life-saver for their business. But here’s what Lincoln had to say. “ ‘Project Eeden’, as it was first called, was a cause that I held closely. I knew the importance of pursuing a venture of this sort, and that the timing would be crucial. No one expected the chain of events that COVID-19 brought on. With all of the uncertainty that loomed, I thought that the most fitting pivot was to finally mobilize what today is Eeden Farms.”
Now just two years later Eeden Farms is planning to expand to “Eeden Acres”. Eeden Acres is a partnership between Eeden Farms and 80 Acres and is pegged to be the a top-class revolutionary commercial indoor hydroponic farm. The 80,000 sq ft indoor facility will grow over two billion pounds of fresh produce a year using the best in AgTech, renewable techonology, robotics, artificial intelligence and 97% less water than outdoor traditional farming.
The farm will grow produce indoors without GMOs or pesticides, providing a healthy diet to Bahamians and visitors.
Prime Minister Philip Davis, Agricultural Minister Clay Sweeting along with Eeden Farms and 80 Acres at their contract signing.
Building Legacy…
It’s safe to say that Lincoln’s experience with entrepreneurship has been inspirational to many. When asked what he’s learnt through it all he said, “I’ve learned that it takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow. There’s no such thing as an “overnight success”. You must be willing to take risks, and even if you fall or fail, try again. This has been my truth in entrepreneurship. It’s not how many times you fall, it’s how you rise and keep on going.”
For Lincoln, resilience is key. Starting a new business during the pandemic was a matter of depending on what he knew. See his business Jetlink Adventures took nearly seven years of closed doors and a legal battle before it came to be. He said,
Read more of Lincoln’s story here