This week we take a deep dive into the intricate details that have and continues to shape a woman on the rise. She is an editor and publisher of ICT pulse and the host of the ICT Pulse Podcast.

Your name and where you are based.

I am Michele Marius, and currently, I am based in the Caribbean, specifically, in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica.

What do you do? 

These days I wear many hats. I am the Editor and Publisher of ICT Pulse, and the host of the ICT Pulse Podcast, which is an online platform where we discuss information and communications technology issues from a Caribbean perspective. And recently, I launched Journey to Growth, a female empowerment platform, as I firmly believe that the greatest and most powerful relationship of a woman’s life, is the one she should be having with herself.

Describe a typical day in your line of work or life?

My day tends to start pretty early, before 5:00 a.m., as I believe an early start results in a more productive day. I usually start with exercise and contemplation, and once my workday starts, it is usually comprises online meetings, preparing and editing articles and podcast episodes, and producing reports and other outputs for clients. It can be quite intense, as much of my work is time-sensitive.

And what are 3 of your favourite things about this city including the names of a few of your favourite hangouts in the city and describing what about these places you love. 

Top of the list is Clubhouse Brewery, a recently established craft brewery that has a relaxed vibe, an interesting and diverse range of beers, and a solid menu. Second would be Devon House, a former colonial mansion and a popular place to get some of the best ice cream. Finally, Strawberry Hill Hotel, it is up in the mountains overlooking the city: so fantastic views and great food. 

One key lesson you learnt building your brand/ business?

I think the biggest lesson is that you cannot rest on your laurels. The world and the world of business are highly dynamic, and the strategies that worked last year, last month, or even last week, are not guaranteed to work today. So you really need to monitor your business, track of your metrics, and be prepared to test new strategies and iterate. 

Best advice you've received that has shaped your life

For almost all of my professional life, I have taken to heart an excerpt from a speech from the then United States President-elect John F. Kennedy. It is a bit long, but I was deeply affected by it, and it is still my part of my moral compass:

“For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each one of us--recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state--our success or failure, in whatever office we may hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions:

“First, were we truly men of courage...? Secondly, were we truly men of judgment...? Third, were we truly men of integrity....? Finally, were we truly men of dedication...?”

The campaign theme for IWD 2022 is #Breakthebias. What are some of biases conscious or unconscious have you had to overcome or are learning to break? 

I think I am still learning to put me first. I think like most women, I may be more inclined to focus on the needs of others, which sometimes can be at the expense of what I want, or my own happiness. In putting me first, it also means that I need to #breakthebias of others, as there can be the expectation that I will put their wants/needs over my own.

Your go to self-care routine 

My self-care routine tends to comprise four things: skin-care, exercise, meditation and rest. I do them every day, and although rest might seem a given, it is something that we tend to overlook, as we don’t fully appreciate how much our bodies need to sleep and relax, in order to rejuvenate and replenish.

A female role model and why this person

There are so many, but I think Oprah Winfrey. She had a challenging childhood, but became the most powerful woman on American television. However, I think what I truly admire is her evolution as a person, which was reflected in the content of the Oprah Winfrey Show, and continues till today, with a focus on how to “Live your best life!”.

Name two of your favourite Brown and Black Female authors, designers and/or film makers.

As a fellow Caribbean person, Rihanna is on the top of my list. She has been a pioneer, especially in the beauty space, where she really highlighted the range of shades that people of colour actually are, which really had not been before. In a completely different vein, I really respect Ozwald Boateng. Yes, he is known for men’s fashion, but he has been in the fashion trenches for decades, and who I think has had a unique vision that is cutting edge, yet wearable.

Your foolproof style advice, fashion or creative hacks you can share with us. 

As women of colour get older, and after the age of about 25, their skin starts to look grey and sallow. I think the inclination is to put on more make-up to compensate, but instead, skin care ought to be the focus. Also, I tend to think that women look their best when their make-up is simple and natural-looking. People ought to not even realise that you are wearing make-up, because you look like you… only better! 

Books you are reading or would live to read.

These days, I am reading ‘Becoming’, by Michelle Obama, but my reading list is long and includes: 

Girl, Woman, Other: A Novel, by Bernardine Evaristo

The Darkest Child, by Delores Phillips and Tayari Jones 

How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House: A Novel, by Cherie Jones

In Every Mirror She's Black: A Novel, by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström

What are you listening to? Music and/or podcast wise..

These days, I am listening to a lot of 80s and 90s music across a number of genres, and rediscovering artists and music that I have not heard in ages.

Series you can't get enough of?

I really enjoyed the first season on “An Astrological Guide to Broken Hearts”, an Italian romantic TV comedy, and can’t wait for the second season. I also really enjoyed “Fifty”, a Nigerian drama, which ended on a bit of a cliff-hanger; so I am hoping that there will be a second season…

Favourite fashion movie of all times and why?

This tough, as there are quite a few movies that I love to revisit for the fashion, but what first came to mind is The September Issue, which was a behind the scenes look at the preparation of the September 2007 issue of Vogue magazine. I thought it was fascinating, as you get a sense not only of the work involved in putting together the most important issue of the year, but also how your taste, as the consumer, is influenced by what these publications present to us.