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In the realm of business, clarity of purpose is the bedrock upon which successful ventures are built. Every entrepreneur embarking on a new venture or seasoned professional seeking growth understands the importance of defining a clear mission and vision for their business. Let’s delve deeper into why this step is crucial and how it impacts the trajectory of your enterprise. Why Define Your Purpose? Imagine starting a journey without knowing your destination. That’s what operating a business without a defined purpose feels like—directionless and uncertain. Your business purpose encapsulates the fundamental “why” behind your endeavors. It answers pivotal questions such as: – Why does your business exist? – What problems are you solving? – What values and principles guide your decisions? Motivating Your Team A strong sense of purpose isn’t just a statement on paper; it’s a rallying point for your team. When your employees understand and resonate with the purpose of your business, it ignites passion and commitment. People want to be part of something meaningful and impactful. Your purpose becomes the North Star that aligns everyone towards a common goal, fostering a sense of belonging and shared vision. Resonating with Customers and Investors Beyond motivating your internal team, a well-defined purpose resonates powerfully with external stakeholders—your customers and investors. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, consumers gravitate towards brands that stand for something beyond just profits. A clear purpose communicates authenticity and builds trust. Customers are more likely to engage with businesses that share their values and demonstrate a commitment to making a positive difference. Investors, too, are attracted to businesses with a compelling purpose. They seek enterprises that are not only financially viable but also have a meaningful impact on society. A strong purpose signals long-term sustainability and potential growth opportunities, making your business an attractive investment prospect. Crafting Your Mission and Vision Statements Crafting your mission and vision statements is an exercise in introspection and strategic planning. Your mission statement should succinctly articulate the core purpose of your business—its reason for existence. It should be specific, actionable, and inspiring. On the other hand, your vision statement paints a picture of the future you aspire to create. It’s a bold declaration of your aspirations and goals. When drafting these statements, involve your team. Seek input from stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and alignment. In Conclusion Defining your business purpose is not just a box to check; it’s a transformative exercise that sets the stage for success. It’s about clarifying your identity, values, and aspirations. When your purpose is clear and compelling, it becomes a guiding force that shapes decisions, inspires action, and ultimately drives sustainable growth. So, take the time to define your purpose—it’s the first step towards building a purpose-driven business that leaves a lasting impact on the world.

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the digital industry stands at the forefront of innovation and transformation. The realm of digital business encompasses a diverse range of sectors, from e-commerce and digital marketing to cloud computing and artificial intelligence. As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, here are some key insights shaping the digital business industry. 1. Customer-Centricity: The digital era is defined by a shift towards customer-centric business models. Companies are leveraging data analytics and AI to gain deep insights into customer behavior, preferences, and needs. This understanding enables personalized marketing strategies, tailored products, and seamless customer experiences across multiple touchpoints. 2. E-commerce Revolution: The rise of e-commerce has disrupted traditional retail paradigms. Online shopping platforms have democratized market access for businesses of all sizes, fostering a highly competitive environment. Moreover, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of e-commerce, with businesses investing in robust online infrastructures and last-mile delivery solutions. 3. Data-Driven Decision Making: Data has emerged as the new currency in the digital economy. Organizations are harnessing big data to drive strategic decision-making processes. Advanced analytics tools allow businesses to extract actionable insights, optimize operations, and forecast market trends with unprecedented accuracy. 4. Digital Transformation: The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for digital transformation across industries. Businesses embraced remote work models, cloud technologies, and digital collaboration tools to ensure continuity. This shift underscored the importance of agility and resilience in the face of unforeseen disruptions. 5. Artificial Intelligence and Automation: AI and automation are redefining business operations. From chatbots handling customer inquiries to predictive analytics streamlining supply chain management, AI-powered solutions enhance efficiency and drive innovation. However, ethical considerations surrounding AI governance and transparency remain paramount. 6. Cybersecurity Imperatives: With increased digitalization comes heightened cybersecurity risks. Businesses must prioritize cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data and protect against cyber threats. Proactive cybersecurity strategies are essential in preserving customer trust and ensuring regulatory compliance. 7. Sustainability and Responsibility: In the digital age, sustainability and corporate responsibility are integral to long-term success. Consumers expect businesses to operate ethically, minimize environmental footprints, and champion social causes. Sustainable practices not only enhance brand reputation but also drive innovation and cost savings. 8. Agile Business Models: Agile methodologies are reshaping business frameworks. Start-ups and established enterprises alike are embracing agile principles to adapt quickly to market changes, iterate products based on feedback, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. 9. Collaborative Ecosystems: The digital economy thrives on collaboration and partnerships. Open innovation ecosystems enable businesses to leverage external expertise, access niche markets, and co-create value with stakeholders. 10. Regulatory Landscape: The digital business industry operates within a complex regulatory environment. Evolving data protection laws, antitrust regulations, and taxation policies pose challenges for businesses navigating global markets. In conclusion, the digital business industry is a dynamic landscape shaped by innovation, disruption, and continuous adaptation. Success hinges on embracing technological advancements, prioritizing customer-centricity, fostering agility, and upholding ethical standards. By leveraging these insights, businesses can harness the full potential of the digital age and chart a path towards sustainable growth and competitiveness.

Childhood of Gail Eijk “Today I am not the person I was yesterday, nor am I the person I will be tomorrow.” Gail Eijk, a mother, grandmother, sister, and author. Born on March 5, 1972, to Eleonora Dragman and Ivan Joemankhan. Gail enjoys a fulfilling life surrounded by her family, including her four cherished grandchildren. She has two brothers and a sister and enjoys hobbies such as exercising in the gym, which has almost become an addiction, she also loves writing poems, reflections, and songs, and enjoys engaging in deep conversations to learn from others, cooking, baking, and connecting with people. Gail is the proud author of two books, “Tranen voor mijn Horizon” and “Splinters op mijn Pad”. Gail lives by inspiring quotes: “Today I am not the person I was yesterday, nor am I the person I will be tomorrow.” “I seize the day, for tomorrow I do not know who I will be, every change can transform you.” Gail’s journey has been anything but easy. She faced a challenging childhood, losing her mother early and moving to Suriname with her brothers, where they endured abuse and hardship. She was quite close to one of her brothers, and she laments that their relationship has changed over the past two years. Despite this, she remains resilient, recognizing the strength she has gained from her experiences. Gail attended Shri Vishnu School, Elizabeth 1, and Christus Koning Mulo school, but her education was cut short in the second year of MULO. She then found herself on the streets, fighting to survive through difficult times. However, her love for reading helped her understand and adapt quickly. Gail has continued to grow and develop herself by taking courses and gaining knowledge whenever possible. Gail Eijk’s story is one of perseverance, continuous learning, and transformation. She embraces each day with the understanding that who she is today is different from who she was yesterday and who she will become tomorrow.   Her Impact Gail found herself on the streets at a very young age and had to leave school to take care of herself and her brother. As a woman at that time, it was easier to find work without a diploma than it was for men. At just 16 years old, she ensured her brother could attend school, providing everything he needed. She worked in various fields to make ends meet. As she started in the hospitality industry, working in a range of bars from modest to upscale. She even hauled cows on her shoulders in a butcher shop and cleaned houses. Gail was never afraid of hard work and always found honest ways to earn money to support herself and her brother. Later, she continued working in butcheries and, in 2005, she joined Apintie, a television & radio station where she worked for 13 years. She then moved to De Surinaamse Televisie Stichting (STVS), where she enjoyed her job but felt it wasn’t fulfilling her purpose. Afterward, she received an offer from SUN Web TV, which she helped establish. Today, she serves as one of the managers at SUN Web TV. Gail believes that everything happens for a reason. Perhaps her journey was meant to be this way so she could share her story and inspire others, demonstrating that no matter what happens, she remains steadfast. Her experiences have not deterred her from her path. Gail doesn’t consider herself a role model and doesn’t aspire to be one because she believes everyone must learn from their own experiences and strive to be better than they were yesterday. While she can’t control if others put her on a pedestal, she frequently shares her experiences with others. After her first book was published, a group of university students asked to use her story for their graduation project due to the childhood abuse and other challenges she faced, as detailed in her book.   Growth through Experience I’m rebellious Back in the day, people had a much more rigid mindset. Women were often viewed as mere objects of desire, and if a woman was seen at a bar, she was quickly judged as promiscuous. Despite these challenges, she managed to stand out and avoid these labels thanks to her strong personality and willpower. Her rebellious nature was her secret to success, even if she didn’t realize it at the time. She would deliberately go against the grain. If people wanted to talk about her, she’d give them even more to talk about. She had her own will, vision, and perspective on things, and as she grew more structured in her approach, she managed to secure the positions she wanted, wherever she went. Highlights Winning the Suriname Popular Song Festival (Suripop XV) in 2008 with the winning composition ‘Ala Ogri e tyar’ wan bung’, sung by Bryan Muntslag, and publishing her first book, “Tranen voor mijn Horizon.” As a young girl, she declared she would one day win Suripop and write a book, and she made it happen. It’s inspiring to see her fulfill her own promises. Gail further states, “You’re a failure if you make a promise to yourself and can’t keep it. “Her goal with her books is primarily to inspire young people. Everyone faces challenges, and everyone deals with them differently. It’s always uplifting when you can inspire others with your story. No matter what situation you’re in, don’t underestimate the impact of inspiration. This is especially evident from the responses she has received for her new book. Every mistake is a lesson, but you must be able to learn from it. You are only a winner if you are not afraid to lose.   Closing Remarks from Gail When you want to take a step forward, you have to go for it wholeheartedly. You’re only a winner when you’re not afraid to lose. Sometimes, losing can be your greatest gain. The lessons learned are invaluable for your future endeavors. When you get an inspiration, and it feels right, ask yourself: What do

Childhood of Frans Eersteling Born on February 27, 1963, Frans Eersteling came into the world in Paramaribo. His mother is Albertina Eersteling, and his father is Siegfried Rellum. He is the eldest in a family of five younger brothers and one younger sister. Frans is married, has one daughter and is an actively professing Christian. These are some of the sayings he applies in his daily life:”Piano Piano,” which means ‘gradually’ or ‘little by little’. Another quote he often uses is: “There must be a difference,” which can be interpreted in various ways. ‘As an individual, you can choose to stand out or be unique in a positive way’. ‘Just because everyone does something doesn’t mean you have to do it too’. And finally, “Think before you act”; for him, it means ‘Don’t react, respond’. When responding instead of reacting, you take some time to think. Hence, you remove much of the emotion and replace it with more rationality. His hobbies include enjoying jazz music, reading, gardening, and exercising. Frans has a weekly routine where he exercises with his wife under guidance. They also try to walk about three times a week in the morning. Frans played basketball in the past for the ‘De Schakel’ team. As an active athlete in the past, he played for over 10 years and participated in competitions.  With ‘De Schakel’ youth team he became a Youth basketball champion. Over the years he played for a short period in the veterans’ team. From time to time, he shoots hoops with his daughter, who also plays basketball and volleyball. Frans attended primary school at the Richard Voulaire School in Paramaribo. During the intense strikes in 1973, when Suriname was still a colony of the Netherlands, the Richard Voulaire School caught fire. That year saw the largest wave of strikes, during which 13 union leaders who had called for a strike against the ‘Sedney cabinet’ policies were arrested. As a result of the fire, Frans had to attend school in the afternoon. He found this less pleasant because, while everyone else was going home, he had to get ready to go to school in the blazing sun. Fortunately, he only had to do this for a year. He then attended the Zuiderstad School for a year, followed by a return to the Richard Voulaire School. After finishing primary school, he continued his education at the Frowein School, a secondary school. In High school,  the Algemene Middelbare School (AMS), he had a life-changing and wonderful period. Frans made lifelong friends and had a whole lot of fun. One of the highlights was meeting people who also listened to and loved jazz, who drew him in. He continued studying History at the Instituut voor Opleiding van Leraren (IOL), the higher teacher training institute. He had completed all the exams and was about to start his thesis when he began working, which prevented him from finishing his studies. After taking a year off, he started the doctoral study in  Public Administration at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, which he finished in the late nineties. He later completed his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at the FHR Lim A Po Institute for Higher Education (FHR). Frans had a unique upbringing. His mother was raised by his godmother, and as his mother’s first child, he benefited from his godmother’s upbringing. With her, he enjoyed much more freedom than in a typical Surinamese upbringing. His godmother had studied in the Netherlands in the 1950s and had very different ideas about parenting, which she applied to Frans. His childhood was very enjoyable, filled with freedom, self-discovery, sports, music, and more. At a young age, he was allowed to attend shows & concerts. He became a teenager during the disco era, so there was a lot of dancing and frequent visits to discos. His Impact It all started at the Ministry of the Internal Affairs with the Central Staff Office & Efficiency unit, an arm of the government responsible for job descriptions, job evaluations, etc., for two years. He then worked at the Ministry of Finance in the Postal Services, now known as Surpost, for another two years. In 1990, the journey of a lifetime began at Telesur, where he served for 33 years and 7 months, experiencing growth in various roles across different departments. Frans has now ushered in his retirement from Telesur. He started working in this company as an Information Analyst in the Automation Department. He then had the opportunity to move to a newly established Telecommunications and Marketing Department, which was initially focused on marketing activities. The department later transformed into the ‘Marketing’ and subsequently the ‘Business Development & Marketing’. When the company prepared for and entered into the era of competitiveness in telecommunication, a special project group was established. This ‘TeleG group’ played a crucial role in readying Telesur for stark competition. Being part of and co-managing this group with regard to mobile, marketing, branding activities and everything related to these, was an exciting, intensive learning experience.   Some time hereafter, Frans was appointed Manager of the Business Development & Marketing department. In 2015, after being removed from this position along with 14 other managers, he was transferred to the Strategy department. After several months he was appointed Policy Advisor to the CEO.. He was then requested to manage the transformed department of Business Development. One year prior to his retirement, Frans made his position as Manager of Business Development available to the management. He did this to allow someone else sufficient time for transitioning into this management responsibility and if necessary to receive adequate coaching. This purposefully stepping-back was looked upon in the company as very daring, but Frans was content that the department could continue its work without any management gap or problem. During what was meant to be his final working year in Telesur, he was appointed Policy Advisor of Innovation. Upon a fairly sudden departure of an employee, Telesur needed a manager for the

Childhood of Raúl Neijhorst Fawaka! Is always the first thing Raúl says when you approach him. Raúl Neijhorst was born in Paramaribo, Suriname on February 17, 1981, and raised in Balona-Uitvlugt, a neighborhood in the south of Paramaribo, spending a significant part of his adult life in the Netherlands. His parents are Henry Neijhorst, who worked as a civil servant, and Mrs. Neijhorst, who worked as a teacher and is also known to many others. He is in a registered partnership and has two children aged 11 and 9 respectively. Raúl comes from a family of four sons, of which he is the youngest. He has three older brothers and experienced life as an only child at home from the age of 8, as his brothers were abroad for study at that time. He only saw his brothers during holidays. Raúl lived close to the Pa Lefi Sports Hall in Balona, now better known as SCVU, where he played badminton from the age of 11 to 17. Raúl’s educational journey began at Glenn Weiss School, where he attended kindergarten and elementary school up to the first grade. He then moved on to Polanen School, followed by Paulus School, which was also the last year it was an all-boys school. During this time, he had to wait until 3 o’clock every day for his father, who worked at the Ministry of Finance. He didn’t particularly enjoy this arrangement, so after a year, he decided to switch to Christus Koning School, where he completed the second and third grades. By passing the entrance exam, he was able to attend the General Secondary School (AMS) at the age of 14. Raúl was always one of the youngest students in his class. After completing AMS, he was eager to study in the Netherlands. However, his visa was rejected twice. He then enrolled at Anton de Kom University of Suriname (ADEKUS) in the field of Electrical Engineering, while also studying MO-A Mathematics in the evening at the Institute for Teacher Training (IOL) in the same year. In January 2000, Raúl left for the Netherlands to pursue his studies Applied Physics. Raúl’s interest in studying in the Netherlands was more of a logical step, considering the limited options available to Surinamese students: – In Suriname, there are limited choices of studies. – In America, it’s very expensive with language barriers, or one could opt for a Caribbean country, which might be unfamiliar. – In the Netherlands, there’s family support, familiarity with the country, and no language barrier. It was a logical progression that if Suriname wasn’t an option after high school, it would be easier to continue education in a country like the Netherlands where there is family support and no language barrier. Lazy student! Raúl describes himself as a lazy and peculiar student because he consistently scored high marks, ranging from nine to ten, in subjects like mathematics and physics. However, he often received failing grades in Biology, Geography, and History. His passion for technology always stood out, starting from his days at Paulus School and reflected in his grades in technical subjects. In contrast to his studious brothers, Raúl spent much of his adolescence preoccupied with girls. Nonetheless, he participated in the Physics Olympiad twice during his high school years. The first time, he would have preferred to be with his girlfriend rather than attending classes, and in the second year, he didn’t complete the Olympiad at all due to his girlfriend ending their relationship. Despite excelling in Physics and studying it, he never wanted to pursue a career in the field. The beauty of the discipline lies in the fact that physicists, with their developed analytical thinking, are highly versatile and can work in various sectors such as banking, IT, and more. His Impact The world is bigger than Suriname; let’s show Suriname to the world! Raúl has always been fond of gadgets. He has often been occupied with the latest electronic gadgets. In the 2000s, the first digital camera was released, and due to his love for gadgets, Raúl then bought his first digital camera. This is how he started taking photos for fun and became infected with the photography virus. A friend at the time motivated him to do something with it. He decided to delve into photography by reading many books and searching for information on the internet. At that time, he worked at a call center and was fortunate enough to practice with his female colleagues. He also worked in the IT Helpdesk department of the same company, so after all the problems were solved, he still had a plenty of spare time.. He used that time to google and had access to a printing department, allowing him to gather all the materials and read up. During that period, Raúl also moved to an empty student room that he had set up as a home photostudio. And that allowed him to quickly get started with photography. Now, Raúl Neijhorst Fotografie has been around for 21 years with over 5000 clients in the Netherlands, Suriname, Curaçao, and Belgium. The Irony …. Raúl doesn’t particularly enjoy photography itself. Yet, he thrives on connecting with people and revels in socializing with others. Photography is the tool he employs to facilitate that connection. For him, ‘THE EXPERIENCE’ is paramount – ensuring that every client who exits his studio or whose photos he captures elsewhere looks back on the moment and the pleasant experience above the beauty of the photographs. Raúl exclusively captures images of people. He captures:  Love, Life, Moments, Happiness, Emotions, Action, Impressions, Beauty.   Growth through Experience Steve Armand Fritsche Through many joyful moments, Raúl experienced a significant setback in his life. He had a cousin, Steve Fritsche, with whom he shared many activities. In Holland, he  rented the studio together with his cousin. After some time, Steve developed a brain tumor and passed away within a year. They had many plans together, which Raúl now sadly has to carry

Childhood of Jimmy Setrowidjojo Jimmy Setrowidjojo was born on January 27, 1977, into a family that had five children total, four of whom are still living. He is the brother of two brothers and and two sisters, one of  the brothers being deceased. Noermie Soetodimedjo and Ruben Setrowidjojo, who held the position of Minister of Social Affairs during the 1980s, are his parents. Jimmy has two kids with his wife. Jimmy didn’t truly grow up with his biological siblings because his parents were divorced.  He maintains a strong relationship with his siblings, although they don’t get to see each other as often as they would like. Jimmy is an Associate and a member of the executive board at his church, the ”Baptistengemeente Vrije Evangelisatie”. Like any other student, his enthusiasm for school was mostly focused on recess. He may have been among the high scorers if he had put in more effort. After attending St. Ignatius School, I.P.J. Berkenveld School, and NATIN, where he consciously selected a practical education path in civil engineering, he continued his study. With the exception of the latter, Jimmy subsequently did not finish his schooling at PTC. As one of PTC’s first students, he had to balance his education with his job. Because of his father’s international residency, he was able to study there. Jimmy’s desired job was to become an architect, but he was unable to fulfill this ambition for a variety of reasons, including his inability to further his education in the Netherlands. Jimmy has a background in civil engineering, having studied architecture. His journey began in an architectural firm and continued in construction contracting. In the past, Jimmy worked for the company ‘Bouwbedrijf van Kessel.’ Nowadays, it’s called Haukes Construction, as Haukes Construction acquired the company. Subsequently, he transitioned into steel construction. Additionally, Jimmy has experience in tourism, where he was responsible for maintenance, structures, and designing buildings at Overbridge River Resort for several years. Afterward, Jimmy joined an engineering firm where he spent 15 years honing his skills to become the professional he is today. Following his time at the engineering firm, Jimmy moved to his current position.   His Impact He started off in the architectural industry at Architecten Buro Gonsalves en Partners. Bouwbedrijf van Kessel allowed him to be involved in the building of the Hermitage Mall. He moved on to a construction company after leaving Bouwbedrijf van Kessel, where he worked for eight months. After that, he traveled to Overbridge River Resort, where he spent four years using his talents to design and build the complex’s homes, huts, and cabanas. He finally made it to the Civil Engineering Firm (IBT) after around 4 years. He acquired experience and practical understanding about the fundamentals of his line of work there. He worked on projects for Staatsolie and N.V. Energie Bedrijven Suriname in addition to designing, drafting, and constructing the Finabank on Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat. This talented individual views the director of the company as a great mentor, and he attributes his skill development to him. He is currently a Project Manager at Northwestern Metal Working and Northwestern Contractors & Steel, where he is in charge of day-to-day operations. As a Christian, Jimmy values belief in the Creator immensely. He holds a Bachelor’s in Theology from Suriname and plans to pursue a Master’s in Theology to deepen his understanding of the subject. Growth through Experience Jimmy has encountered some challenges in his business dealings. As a result, he has gained the capacity to manage them. At first, he prefers to figure things out on his own. The issue is that he tries to tackle everything by himself before seeking help. This has in the past occasionally led to conflicts with coworkers and/or projects. There have been moments when it got worse, which caused problems for him. But while Jimmy develops this characteristic, he’s also learning how to deal with it and realizing that he can’t do everything on his own and that he needs to appreciate and trust other people for their abilities. A problem with projects could be that they are not completed in the specified time frame. Jimmy remains challenged with communication, something he is working on to improve in order to establish lasting relationships with stakeholders and partners. The number and size of the projects at Northwestern clearly reflect the institution’s growth. There has been a noticeable rise in the number of projects after the disruption brought on by COVID in previous years, which led to project blocks. Closing Remarks from Jimmy As a believer, it is very important for Jimmy to start everything he does, even his day, with the Lord Jesus Christ. As a human being, it is important to be honest at all times. Try to do everything from a pure heart, knowing why you are doing it. Besides doing it for yourself, you also do it for others and the next generation. Try to think of your fellow human beings in everything you undertake. Especially consider the long-term consequences and the sustainable developments or solutions that the actions bring about. Let us do everything from a pure heart. Not everything revolves around money, and it is important to know that well-being is more important than wealth in terms of finances. Wealth can certainly contribute to well-being, but we must not lose sight of the fact that well-being is above wealth if we want a healthy community. It is important to find satisfaction in everything we do. Success is not only measured by quantity. Rather strive for excellence than what humans consider success. Entrepreneur’s Impact Entrepreneur’s Impact: Your weekly source for entrepreneurial stories, insights, and inspiration by OneShot International. Join us for impactful founder stories. expert advice and solutions to global issues. Stay tuned for our weekly blog covering Entrepreneur Impact, Ideas & Opinions, and News & Media. Thank you to our OneShot community. Don’t miss our next story next Sunday! Visit the digital platform here www.oneshot.sr, and join the International community of entrepreneurs

Childhood of Xiomara Grootfaam Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness. – Oprah Winfrey Xiomara was born on August 25, 1990, in Paramaribo, Suriname, to Joan Sanses and Carlo Grootfaam. She has one brother, Moreo Grootfaam. One of her favorite quotes is from Oprah Winfrey: “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” Xiomara adds her perspective to this quote, saying “Never a failure, always a lesson.” Oprah Winfrey is one of her role models, particularly inspiring due to her journey from humble beginnings to remarkable success. Xiomara had a joyful and nurturing childhood, with ample opportunities for self-discovery and personal expression. Growing up with her brother, Moreo, was lively and educational, as he instilled in her the importance of speaking up and advocating for herself. Although they often clashed due to their contrasting personalities—Moreo’s stubbornness versus Xiomara’s assertiveness—their relationship was filled with playfulness, such as recreating stunts from Nintendo games in real life. During her youth, Xiomara was actively involved in various activities that shaped her character. She participated in the Boy Scouts, where she learned discipline and strength. Additionally, she played volleyball for 11 years with the Volleyball Association Yelyco. Xiomara demonstrated her commitment and loyalty by keeping her commitment to her associations Through the Boy Scouts, she underwent lifeguard training and was even selected to participate in a swimming marathon after rigorous training spanning six months. However, she faced a setback when a medical test revealed low iron levels, disqualifying her from the marathon despite her dedication. Xiomara’s academic journey commenced at Julius Lobato School, followed by E.B.G. MULO Ritfeld School, and she continued her education at Mr. Dr. J C de Miranda Lyceum, also known as Lyceum. Subsequently, she pursued studies at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, majoring in Public Administration, and completed her Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management at the FHR Institute for Higher Education within the nominal time. Her academic achievements reflect her determination and focus on success. Her Impact Xiomara’s professional journey began with a summer job at a well-known commercial bank in Suriname, Hakrinbank. She valued this temporary role as a significant opportunity, considering the skills she acquired, which she believed were applicable in various settings. The diverse experiences and skills she gained made her eager to return to work during breaks. She then transitioned to a sales role at a Digicel Shop and later worked as a Call Agent at Telenamic, focusing on developing essential soft skills such as patience, stress management, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Afterward, Xiomara served as a Public Relations Officer at the NGO Stichting Liefdevolle Handen, which supports women facing socio-economic challenges. Here, she had direct access to her research demographic for her thesis at Anton de Kom University. Her responsibilities included policy writing for public relations and leading a team. Despite the economic crisis of 2015, she persisted in her career aspirations, enduring three months without pay. Following a period of unemployment, during which she pursued hair braiding as a side business, Xiomara joined Republic Bank through a Christmas Project initiative, leveraging this opportunity to showcase her capabilities and negotiate a contract position. At the time, banks collaborated with staffing agencies, resulting in her initial one-year contract. Xiomara strongly criticizes the treatment of temporary employees, equating their conditions to modern slavery, given their equivalent workloads for significantly reduced pay. Despite her adaptability across departments at RB Bank, her efforts were not reflected in her earnings. Later, Xiomara returned to Hakrinbank as a temporary employee, initially earning less than her previous role. However, advocacy for better conditions led to improved compensation, doubling her earnings from Republic Bank. At Hakrinbank, she worked in the Credit Department while concurrently pursuing her Master’s degree, which emphasized practical applications. For a certain period of time s also worked at a group of companies in Commewijne where she excelled as a Human Resource Officer until the company’s closure, leaving her unemployed for several months. Following this, she briefly taught at FHR and now serves as the Human Resource Manager at McDonald’s in Suriname. Additionally, she lectured at the FHR School of Business, specializing in Professional Development, Project Management, Competence Development, and Internship Supervision. Xiomara never gets away from challenges. Even when it’s not directly in her field, she embraces them because she believes in the value of being broadly skilled and versatile. Do you believe in coincidence?  From her final year of high school, Xiomara was determined to study Children’s Rights. During that time, the term HRM had just been introduced in Suriname, sparking her interest despite her initial uncertainty about its meaning. In the same year, she attended a Youth Information Fair to explore post-secondary options. It was there that she learned about opportunities from the University (then known as the Hogeschool in Holland, now FHR). The information she received from FHR immediately captured her interest. The university offered HRM as part of the Public Administration program. However, the classes at the Hogeschool were held in the evenings, conflicting with her sports commitments. Despite this, Xiomara was drawn to Hogeschool in Holland because she believed that an international diploma would open doors globally. After discussing with her parents and carefully considering her options, she enrolled in Public Administration at Anton de Kom University of Suriname. Over time, she grew to enjoy the program, despite the realization that HRM was just one subject within it and not a specialization. She completed her studies within the expected timeframe. The desire to study Human Resource Management never left her. In pursuit of her goal to earn her Master’s degree by age 30, Xiomara applied for Public Administration at FHR. Upon passing the entrance exam, she was accepted into the program. However, personal circumstances and financial challenges led her to withdraw from the program. Impressed by her credentials and motivation, the institute’s leadership invited her for a meeting with Mr.

Learn the exact revenue of several Udemy instructors in different course topics. Learn how to find the potential revenue for your topic on Udemy.   If you are thinking about becoming an online course creator, you’ve no doubt come across Udemy – the largest online course marketplace in the world. You are probably wondering if teaching on Udemy would be a good place to start your online teaching career. To help you answer these questions, we are going to present you with the Udemy earnings of several online instructors who have been kind enough to share their revenue with the public. Besides presenting the Udemy instructor revenue of some well-known instructors, we are also going to show you some internal Udemy tools that will help you have a better idea of what revenue you can expect for your course category. So, how much do Udemy instructors make? An Udemy instructor can make anywhere between $1000 and $3,000,000 in lifetime earnings, depending on the number of courses they produce, the size of their audience, the quality of their courses, and how long they’ve been on the platform. Depending on these factors some instructors make hundreds of thousands of dollars or more per year, while others just make some extra pocket money. As you can see, there is a wide range of revenues on the platform. So if you start teaching on Udemy, what can you expect? That’s what you are going to find out in the rest of this post. If you are looking to learn more about how to create and sell online courses, both on Udemy and outside of it, here are two main guides that I wrote on the topic: How To Create An Online Course (Complete Guide, PDF Included) How to Sell Online Courses? The Ultimate Guide You can also check out all the free guides available here at the Course Creator Academy by clicking on the Academy link on the top menu bar. Here are other Udemy-related posts that you might be interested in: How to Make Money on Udemy? Is Udemy Worth It For Instructors? (Instructor Opinion) Udemy vs Skillshare for Online Course Creators How to be Successful on Udemy Udemy Alternatives (For Selling Online Courses) How Does Udemy Work? As the largest online course marketplace on the planet, Udemy has a few standout statistics: 49+ million learners 64,000+ instructors 185,000+ courses 680+ million course enrollments 10,500+ enterprise customers And courses shared in 75 languages and across 180+ countries Founded in 2010 by Eren Bali, Gagan Biyani, and Oktay Caglar, Udemy has gone on to become one of the most recognizable names in the eLearning space. Each year, it pours millions of dollars into marketing, reaching new students and course creators from around the globe. It’s a platform that I found several years ago and have had some success in it since, as I will talk about later on. For many course creators, it’s a platform worth considering—as I explore further in this separate review: Udemy vs Skillshare for Online Course Creators. If you want to learn if Udemy is the right platform for you, then check out this article – Is Udemy Worth It For Instructors? (Instructor Opinion). How Do Instructor Earnings Work on Udemy? There are currently a couple of ways of selling courses on Udemy: Become a Premium Instructor and sell courses via one-time sales Get invited to join Udemy For Business Udemy For Business is still relatively new and it’s invitation-only, so let’s focus on that in a second. First, let’s explore the more traditional way to earn money on Udemy, as a premium instructor. Becoming a premium instructor is both free and simple (usually taking just a few days—click here to learn more). Once accepted, you can create, publish, and sell your courses via the Udemy Marketplace. How you then get paid is simple enough: Any sales via your referral link/code = 97% of the sale value Any sales that don’t come from your referral link/code = 37% of the sale value. As an Udemy instructor, you’re given a unique referral code/link that you can share with your audience via your website, email, social media, etc… This means if you have a $100 course and someone purchases it through your referral code/link, you get $97. But if someone finds your course through the Udemy Marketplace, you get $37. In addition to this, if your courses stand out on the platform, they might be selected to join the Udemy For Business program, which is aimed at organizations. In short, most Udemy courses are sold on a one-to-one basis. But Udemy For Business is a subscription model, allowing teams of employees to access lots of courses for one monthly fee paid by their employer. What this means for you as a course creator is you’re paid based on how much of your content is consumed each month. This starts with the Udemy Fund, which is 25% of all revenue from UFB. The more people who join Udemy For Business, the larger this fund becomes. You’re then paid based on the level of engagement your course(s) receive that month (watch time). For example, if you receive a total engagement of 1% across all Udemy For Business students, you receive 1% of the total fund. What Percentage Does Udemy Take From Instructors? There are pros and cons to both Udemy for Business and their Premium Instructor programs. Before you go any further, I encourage you to explore these more in-depth documents: Udemy’s Premium Instructor Revenue Share How To Earn Money From Udemy For Business I also explore these pros and cons from an instructor perspective via the guide: Udemy vs Skillshare for Online Course Creators How To Know the Revenue Potential For a Course Topic on Udemy? You can have an idea of the potential revenue of your course category on Udemy by using some of their free tools. My recommendation is you spend a little time studying Udemy’s Marketplace Insights tool. I love this tool. It’s one of the best features

OneShot International, headquartered in California, USA, with branches in Suriname and Guyana, is a Digital Business Accelerator on a mission to assist over 1000 entrepreneurs in starting and expanding their businesses globally by 2030. The organization believes that entrepreneurs play a crucial role in addressing contemporary world challenges. To support entrepreneurs, OneShot International offers the OneShot Investment Acceleration Program, which includes mentoring, guidance, and necessary investments. To achieve this goal collaboration is key, this is why OneShot has established partnerships with over 50 entities in seven countries to deliver this comprehensive program. Organizational Transformers NV (OTNV) supports managing operations in Suriname, while Together We Win Business Network (TWWBN) oversees Guyana. In the inaugural cohort of the program 16 entrepreneurs from Suriname, Guyana, Curacao & Jamaica joined. The inaugural cohort of the program was completed on December 1st, 2023, with nine out of 16 talented entrepreneurs advancing to the final pitching stage before the distinguished Investment Panel. Many argue that the setup of the pitches is similar to the well-known, Shark Tank which is being broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). After the final pitching, seven of the nine entrepreneurs secured USD 29,000 in resource-based investments for their startups. These remarkable businesses are located in Suriname, Guyana, Curacao, and Jamaica. The live broadcasts of the pitches were aired on ATV-Networks Suriname, NCN Guyana, and OneShot Social Channels. The pitches were assessed using the OneShot 5-Level Investment Framework: Level 5: Finance Investment Level 4: Resources-Based Investment Level 3: Business Consultancy Level 2: Post-Program Support Level 1: Rethink and Improve Your Concept (No Investment) The evaluation of the pitches yielded the following results: Candace Wickham, Founder Procare Therapy & Wellness Centre (Granted Level 4: Resource-Based Investment to build the Procare Learning Platform worth USD10.000) Erika van der Mark, Founder Journey to Horizon, Truthversation (Granted Level 4: Resource-Based Investment to produce a digital version of the Truthversation Course and publish it on Udemy International Platform worth USD10.000 ) Nancy Boldewijn, Founder Anseila Virtual Assistance (Granted Level 4: Resource-Based Investment to build the Anseila Virtual Assistance Platform worth USD5.000) Shamela John, Founder Resysco by SJ (Granted Level 3: Business Consultancy worth USD1.500) Desmond Croker, Founder Amcec Health (Granted Level 3: Business Consultancy worth USD1.500) Desnetha Croker, Founder HCN Enterprises (Granted Level 2: Post-program support worth USD500) Rachel Tokromo, Founder Ma-Aisa (Granted Level 2: Post-program support worth USD500) Quemara Louisville, Founder Business Cleaning (Level 1: Rethink & Improve – No Investment granted) Chevaro Brown, Founder Mental Health Connect (Level 1: Rethink & Improve – No Investment granted) Additionally, three awards were granted to the most promising graduates. The three entrepreneurs received special awards for outstanding performance: Most Promising Startup Idea: Rachel Tokromo, Founder of Ma-Aisa Most Promising Entrepreneur: Erika van der Mark, Founder of Journey to Horizon – Truthversation Most Promising Business: Candace Wickham, Founder of Procare Therapy and Wellness Centre If you have a business idea, startup, or existing business and need investment to start or grow, consider joining the OneShot Investment Acceleration Program. Cohort 2 is starting in February 2024. The investment criteria align with the OneShot 5-Level Investment Framework. Catch the highlights of the pitches on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PBFFPJIHGE  Register now to be part of the next wave of innovation here: https://oneshot.sr/investment-acceleration-registration/  See you in Cohort 2 – Starting February 2024! More information here: https://oneshot.sr/investment-acceleration/  Special thanks to all partners, mentors, advisors, and team members, who made the 1st Cohort a success! Also our sincere gratitude to ATV Suriname & NCN Guyana for their support. Source: OneShot International LLC. OneShot International Suriname: (597)8205555/(597)8845555 | USA +1(323)3642608 Email: info@oneshot.sr | Website: https://oneshot.sr  Join the OneShot Business Network HERE

Childhood of Earl Thijm “Do what you say, then you won’t lie.” Earl Thijm was born to Ursila Norine Thijm and Henk Blijd. He grew up with a stepfather, Edmund Neijman, who played the role of father and father figure to Earl and his siblings. Earl Thijm, also known as Simpel, was born on August 22, 1971. He is a husband to an amazing wife, a father of two children, and a grandfather of one grandchild. Earl comes from a family of nine children, consisting of 2 girls and 7 boys, two of whom have passed away, including his twin pair. It was a challenging time for him, but ultimately Earl was able to find closure and move forward with life. As a brother, he witnessed firsthand the suffering his brother had to endure. The suffering was heavier than his brother’s passing. Thus, the family had to make a choice about what was best for him at that time. Seeing someone suffer is worse than seeing them pass away. Earl grew up in Kwatta, a neighborhood in the West of Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, and enjoyed his childhood years there. Kwatta was a peaceful neighborhood that was quite livable. Alongside neighborhood friends, he played house, stole fruits, pocketed items from stores without the shopkeeper noticing (since there were no cameras back then), and occasionally skipped school. Earl lives by the quote, “Do what you say, then you won’t lie.” He values this because he believes it’s important for people to keep their word. Just do what you say, and then you won’t lie. If you’re not going to do it, don’t say it. His hobbies include watching TV and being in nature. Earl practiced karate in the past and occasionally played soccer, although not on a team. His educational journey began at Aloysius School, then St. Vincentius School, Wulfingh School, and KuldipsinghSchool. He then attended Cabelschool, IMEAO, and finally Surinaams Pedagogisch Instituut (SPI). He was placed in the transition class at IMEAO, which he did not complete. At that point, SPI  was the only option. He continued at SPI until the second year, also serving as a class representative. He was very energetic and cherished his school days. If he could turn back time, he would still be in school. He particularly enjoyed his high school years and had a great relationship with his teachers. While home offered a different upbringing, school provided a lot of freedom, and he caused quite a bit of mischief during his time there.   His Impact Earl’s journey began with selling popsicles at the same pedagogical institute where he was a student. While waiting for a call from the Suriname Police Corps, where he had applied, he started selling popsicles to support himself. Often, God has a different plan for our lives; things don’t just happen by chance. Despite passing all the tests, Earl was never called by the Suriname Police Corps. During this wait, the Bonjo Boys group emerged as a football team and later transitioned into a music group. Earl was never one to sit idle. He always wanted to do something. To support his family, he began making and selling popsicles. Eventually, he became an artist, writing, recording, and selling songs with his best friend in the Bonjo Boys. In their prime, the group embarked on a tour to the Netherlands, which unfortunately failed due to the organizer’s different intentions. After the tour, the band broke up, and Earl had to find a way to support himself. To make ends meet, he worked as a gas station attendant and later at Kasimex, a trading company in Kwatta. He then moved to a lottery office before starting to rent sound equipment to bands needing to perform, which led to the creation of ‘Tap A Bankstel.’Through ‘Tap A Bankstel,’ Earl honors and values individuals who have gone through significant life experiences to reach where they are today. Drawing from his own struggles, Earl understands the importance of recognition and experience when striving for personal growth and future generations’ well-being. He acknowledges that even those in high positions faced challenges on their journey. The program’s ‘lighthearted’ conversations allow Earl to better understand his guests and the struggles they’ve endured. It aims to introduce the person behind the title, approaching guests informally. This platform fills the void of recognition sometimes missing in their immediate surroundings, providing an opportunity to know the individual behind their accomplishments.Since his youth, Earl has had a close friend, Steven ‘Wesje’ Westmaas, with whom he founded the Bonjo Boys. They discussed everything and learned a lot from each other. Sadly, Steven passed away tragically on April 23, 2011, which was a profound loss for Earl. One lesson Earl carries from his friend is leaving a mark wherever you go so people notice and remember you. Earl made his mark with the program he started, which is now a social foundation and led to the creation of Simply, a sandwich restaurant that serves breakfast and more. Growth through Experience As a young and inexperienced newcomer, Earl Thijm embarked on a new TV program—an innovation both for himself and for Suriname. During that time, a gossip website named Mamjo was actively discussing him and his program. He was the subject of gossip, most of which was critical of his methods, style of questioning, and the program’s general originality for Suriname. . Many felt his questions were too bold, with one of the harshest criticisms being, “Even my six-year-old daughter could ask better questions.” Initially, dealing with this criticism was quite challenging for him. However, it profoundly impacted him, prompting Earl to learn how to handle criticism and master the craft of hosting. Earl began his journey with Louis Vismale, who believed in him when no one else did and provided crucial support. The director of SCCN Television Station shared this belief in Earl and the potential success of his program, granting him three months of free airtime purely out of faith