Phillips passionate about small businesses

Ashley Phillips is the owner of Bijou Media, a social media agency that offers brand strategy to small, medium and large-scale business in Barbados.

She is passionate about ensuring that small businesses in Barbados can thrive, thus she decided to ensure that these small businesses could have the necessary social media services at a low cost and that is how Branded Bunch was born a mere two months ago.

Phillips explained Branded Bunch was created out of her desire to help small and medium-sized businesses reach their long-term goals.

“After numerous consultations and workshops, it occurred to me that business owners needed more guidance than what is given within a short period. Hence a year ago I devised a strategy to bring like-minded owners together for one purpose ‘Business Growth, Development and Expansion’. Our Branded Bunch members benefit from resources such as monthly Brand Booster consults, weekly meet-a-member live interview discussion, weekly business mentions, shared resources, exclusive membership discounts, beneficial feedback from other industry professionals just to name a few and more,” she said.

Phillips who is a former student of the Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School reiterated that she wanted small businesses to be able to be a part of a grouping for a low cost as she realized many small business owners desperately needed the assistance but could not afford to pay for the required services.

“Small-Medium business owners needed such a group to turn to, so when we finally accepted members, it was effortless. However, we do hold a short 10-minute membership interview as we need to make sure you are like-minded and are readyto do whatever it takes and put in the time to develop your brand regardless. Some of our members have 9-5 jobs, a family, even go to school but still find time to grow their brand through our mentorship because they know the importance of investment,” she said.

Phillips and the fourteen members of Branded Bunch have decided to take their organisation a step further as they are scheduled to have their first event on July 25, 2021, at the Hilton Resort. She explained that the decision to host this event was to assist small business owners with having the necessary tools needed to ensure their business continues to grow from strength to strength.

“Brunch and Business is to be held on July 25th at the Hilton Resort Barbados entitled Your Financial Future. I found too many small businesses don’t have a financial fallback plan or even a business account and there are reasons for that. I needed to bring these businesses together to learn how to secure their businesses’ financial future. If the island has another lockdown will their businesses be able to still stand firm? What cost-effective measures do they have for small businesses to be financially secure without the struggle of keeping up with vast payments etc.

Therefore, I have asked Winston Alleyne, Marketing Manager and Founder of City of Bridgetown Co-optima Credit Union and Arlene Bolden, Financial Advisor to be our guest speakers,” she said. Interested persons can contact Ashley Phillips at bijoumedia.biz@gmail.com (Write Right PR Services)