It takes a lot to be an entrepreneur in any field and being a creative entrepreneur in the Cayman Islands takes even more chutzpah. Believe me, I know! The risks feel greater, not only because you have to put your whole self out there, but they are also often born from an inner passion that can be illogical to our safe, logical 9 - 5 selves. Heart-driven businesses are beautiful, and fulfilling, and provide a positive contribution to the world, and these amazing women creative entrepreneurs are the best evidence of that.
At Isy B., we’re an all-girl team, and we love supporting women in being their creative best and expressing it in whatever form it takes. We salute the divine feminine in all her glory!
In celebration of this year’s Entrepreneurs’ Day, we felt inspired to honor the wisdom, and dedication of some of the most fabulous women-owners of creative businesses in the Cayman Islands. We see these amazing women doing their thing - moving mountains, and putting themselves out there, and we want to learn from them too.
How did they start? And what valuable wisdom can they share with us about following their passions and founding their creative businesses in Cayman?
The stories of each of these 7 female creative business owners show incredible strength, courage, and the desire to be of service through something they are passionate about, but also the humility of being able to learn from mistakes and do it better. That's what makes them all so uniquely amazing - and that’s the first lesson!
Prepare to be in awe and to be inspired by their journeys, and insights they've gained along the way.
Respect ladies!
Shoes by Erika d'Alessio
Erika d'Alessio
“It's incredibly fulfilling to bring the tradition and artistry of Italian shoemaking to a new audience and to help women feel confident and unique in footwear that is truly their own.”
About the brand: Erika d'Alessio is rooted in the rich tradition of Italian shoemaking from the founder - Erika d’Alession’s hometown, Porto Sant'Elpidio, in the Le Marche region of Italy. They offer custom-made women's shoes, allowing the clients to choose their preferred style, heel type, and leather color, all crafted by skilled artisans in Italy using the finest materials.
Instagram: @shoeserikadalessio
Website: www.shoeserikadalessio.com
How did you channel your passion and creativity into becoming an entrepreneur?
Growing up in a town where shoemaking was not just a job but a way of life, I developed a deep appreciation for the craft. My parents have owned a small shoe factory for over 50 years, and I was fortunate to be surrounded by this creativity from a young age. The ability to customize my own shoes inspired me to share this unique experience with others. Moving to the Cayman Islands, I realized there was a demand for high-quality, custom-made Italian shoes, and I decided to bring this tradition here, allowing women to express their personal style through footwear that is not only beautiful but also tailored to their desires.
What is the thing you love the most about what you do?
What I love most is seeing the joy on my clients' faces when they receive a pair of shoes that they had a hand in creating. It's incredibly fulfilling to bring the tradition and artistry of Italian shoemaking to a new audience and to help women feel confident and unique in footwear that is truly their own.
If you had to share the single most important lesson you've learned while running your creative business, what would it be?
The value of staying true to the quality and craftsmanship that defines our brand. In a world where fast fashion often dominates, it’s essential to maintain the integrity of our product, ensuring that every pair of shoes reflects the heritage and meticulous attention to detail that Italian artisans are known for. This commitment not only differentiates us but also builds trust and loyalty with our customers.
HÜIS
Lydia Uzzell
“We can’t be everything to everyone, so focus on the creative aspects of the business that you do best, and outsource or hire for the rest.”
About the brand: HÜIS is a collection of furniture and accessories that Lydia Uzzell - the founder, loves, sourced from vendors she trusts (and enjoys working with), curated to make furnishing and accessorizing your home a breeze – whether you need just one table lamp, a whole living room, or an entire home furnished. They offer design services too, for those who aren’t 100% confident handling that side of things.
Instagram: @huiscayman
Facebook: @huiscayman
Website: www.huiscayman.com
How did you channel your passion and creativity into becoming an entrepreneur?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, probably spurred by my ADHD – I get frustrated when things don’t operate efficiently when opportunities aren’t available to clients/customers, and when I see a better way for something to function. HÜIS was primarily born from my desire to offer an affordable design solution to clients who didn’t have the budget to work with our sister company (our turn-key, high-end design business). I appreciate that interior design is typically a luxury service, but I love the idea of great design being accessible to everyone, of having a welcoming space where customers want to linger, feel inspired, and feel empowered to undertake their own decorating projects.
What is the thing you love the most about what you do?
Without a doubt, it is the joy of being in service to others. My favorite days are those that I spend in the store, connecting with customers, finding solutions to challenges, and guiding them to make informed choices. Going to High Point Market (the largest industry trade show in the northern hemisphere) and immersing myself in the latest and greatest in the furniture/accessories world is a pretty close second.
If you had to share the single most important lesson you've learned while running your creative business, what would it be?
We can’t be everything to everyone, so focus on the creative aspects of the business that you do best, and outsource or hire for the rest. It took a few years longer than it should have, of hustling and doing everything myself, before I finally built up the courage to hire my first team member (who is still with us). It made a world of difference to our output, efficiency, and my enjoyment of the business.
This is Cayman
Monica Walton
“Something that made me excited to get up in the morning and kept me in the office late at night. I aggressively followed that and said no to everything else.”
About the brand: This is Cayman is a media, production & broadcasting company. Essentially it’s the tourism channel based in the Cayman Islands geared towards visitors.
Instagram: @thisiscaymantv
Facebook: @thisiscaymantv
Website: www.thisiscaymantv.com
How did you channel your passion and creativity into becoming an entrepreneur?
I was essentially running a TV channel as part of my job while I was employed at a TV network. During a regional buyout of the company we were able to start up our own channel doing what we were doing anyway, but now for ourselves. Journalism, filmmaking, and storytelling have always been a passion of mine. Something that made me excited to get up in the morning and kept me in the office late at night. I aggressively followed that and said no to everything else. The journey was calculated, difficult, isolating, and challenging, with many failures along the way, but at the end of the day extremely rewarding.
What is the thing you love the most about what you do?
Helping other people. Teamwork. Connecting with others. Making an impact. Whether it’s more extreme like filming a CTA documentary in Africa or helping an entrepreneur get the word out about their new business, gives me purpose.
If you had to share the single most important lesson you've learned while running your creative business, what would it be?
I don’t know if there’s a single lesson. Every day there’s one that crops up even ten years in!
- Outsourcing/delegating: Outsourcing accounts / legal / contracts saved me. I can focus on high-level creative/ strategy and not the stuff I’m not good/efficient at.
- Fail fast - A new stream of revenue, new service, and product. Test it & if it doesn’t work move on. Embrace failure. It’s 100% part of the process. You’ll build resilience, knowledge, and experience. I massively respect and admire people who aren’t afraid to try.
- Take risks - I’ve been doing it my whole life. It allows you to grow, push boundaries, improve, and see opportunities/ solutions to problems where others don’t.
- Building a great team takes time - A good team has complementary skill sets, equal levels of motivation, and mutual respect. Take time to build your relationship with business partners. You have to be on the same page for it to work long-term.
- Define what your goals are and what success means to you - At first a brick-and-mortar office and a big team was my idea of success in business. But it wasn’t the smartest. Especially after covid. It was a beautiful office and fun, but now the goal is flexibility, freedom, and growth. Where I can make passive income, work smarter not harder & focus on other passion projects. That’s success to me.
- Another lesson (quick one) - Have fun with it - You can get bogged down with admin, legalities, competition, etc but carve out time to play & fill your cup too.
Julie Corsetti Photography and Flying Dress Cayman
Julie Corsetti
“It is important to meet the right people and build good networking relationships.”
About the brand: Julie Corsetti Photography is Julie’s business and within this last year, she also started Flying Dress Cayman. Over the 25 years of being a professional photographer, Julie enjoys capturing the raw emotions of a wedding to the unfiltered moments with families - she loves storytelling through her camera lens. Today, Julie Corsetti’s primary inspiration as an artist is showcasing the beauty of Cayman.
Instagram: @juliecorsettiphotography @flyingdresscayman
Website: www.juliecorsettiphotography.com
How did you channel your passion and creativity into becoming an entrepreneur?
Creating amazing photos that capture the magic of everyday life doesn’t come without hard work, dedication, and imagination. I take my camera everywhere - I feel very lucky to live in Cayman as there is always something beautiful to shoot! It is also important to meet the right people and build good networking relationships.
What is the thing you love the most about what you do?
I love seeing things from different angles and perspectives. Photography helps you appreciate the world around you in a whole new way. Photography is a great stress reliever: In today’s busy world, it’s important to find ways to unwind and relax. I also enjoy making people feel good about themselves, especially women, as I feel the demands of social media are making many women overly body-conscious. I really enjoy the people I get to meet along the way.
If you had to share the single most important lesson you've learned while running your creative business, what would it be?
I love being self-employed and enjoy the freedom it allows. Incredibly thankful to the Cayman Community for all the support over the years. However, it is not easy to maintain a work-life balance. It’s super important to keep up your outside hobbies and stick to somewhat normal work hours or you will burn out.
Quinntessential Movement
Quinn McCrimmon
“GO FOR IT! There will never be the perfect time.”
About the brand: Quinntessential Movement is the first pole, aerial, Dance, and fitness studio in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. They offer pole dance fitness, aerial hoop & aerial silks, a variety of dance classes, stretching, and more! The studio has adult and kids classes and also offers parties, private lessons, and performance opportunities.
Instagram: @quinntessentialmovement
Facebook: @QuinntessentialMovementStudio
Website: www.qmovement.dance
How did you channel your passion and creativity into becoming an entrepreneur?
I started ballet/dance lessons at the age of 3 and continued through university. I moved away from home at an early age to pursue my passion for dance and I think this and the nature of the ballet industry made me independent and hard-working. Over the years I became interested in pilates, gym-style training/classes, and eventually pole dance and aerials. I worked out of various gyms and studios and liked the flexibility of building my own schedule and my own business. I think my experiences paved the way for being inspired to have my own studio of some kind. I wasn't sure what kind of studio it might be, or where initially, but eventually it was time to leap, so I did and created a space combining my love for dance and fitness.
What is the thing you love the most about what you do?
It’s introducing unique forms of movement, dance, exercise, etc to those who are curious. It opens doors for them to be playful yet structured, learn things that are fun but also challenging, and perhaps step out of their comfort zone but proud of themselves that they did. Results are endless but gaining strength by doing and building confidence, respect, and excitement for their achievements is ultimately the reward.
If you had to share the single most important lesson you've learned while running your creative business, what would it be?
GO FOR IT! There will never be the perfect time.
Bijoux Adrienne
Camille Adrienne de Marchena
“The process is about being flexible and a jack of all trades, putting yourself out there and not being afraid to fail.”
About the brand: Bijoux Adrienne is an online Cayman Islands-based company that sources antique, vintage, estate, and modern pieces of jewelry. They give beautifully crafted pieces from the past new homes and, in doing so, promote sustainability.
Instagram: @bijouxadrienne
How did you channel your passion and creativity into becoming an entrepreneur?
I always knew I wanted to set up my own business in the jewelry industry, I just did not know what it would look like at the time. I saw an opportunity when moving to Cayman to pull together my interests in art history, jewelry, and fashion to create a company that draws upon the memories and craftsmanship of the past to inspire the creative stories of today.
What is the thing you love the most about what you do?
Jewelry is much more than just pretty objects, it’s a form of identity and personal expression. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than meeting with clients, sourcing them the perfect piece, whether it’s to celebrate an important moment or treat themselves to a special gift, and seeing the joy on their faces when they see it in person.
If you had to share the single most important lesson you've learned while running your creative business, what would it be?
It’s entirely okay to change direction and make mistakes as the process is about being flexible and a jack of all trades, putting yourself out there and not being afraid to fail.
Lisa Reid Photography
Lisa Reid
“And when you feel like giving up, don't forget that despite all the obstacles that you may face along the way, you get to do what you truly love every day... and that is a very special gift.”
About the brand: In 2020, after two years as a full-time photographer in Cayman, Lisa and her partner launched Blank Canvas, although she is widely known by her trade name, Lisa Reid Photography. Over the past six years in Cayman, Lisa has had the privilege of capturing the family, love, and corporate stories of both residents and visitors. Her portfolio includes maternity, newborn, family, corporate, and lifestyle portrait photography. To manage the increasing demand, Lisa now has two other talented photographers working with her to keep up with the growing demand.
Instagram: @lisareid_photography
Facebook: @LisaReidPhotography
Website: www.lisareidphotography.com
How did you channel your passion and creativity into becoming an entrepreneur?
I feel like it was the other way around! The creativity channeled me to become an entrepreneur. After a successful 15-year career in marketing, as well as major life changes, including relocations across the globe and the joy of motherhood, the nagging sense of a need for change prompted me to explore "something new". Little did I know that my childhood hobby and a lifelong passion for photography would become my new path and ultimately my full-time career. Initially, I stumbled into it while helping friends, while still working as a marketing consultant. However, once I wholeheartedly embraced photography as a full-time job, then my career truly took off. The transition to becoming an entrepreneur was a natural progression as the demand for my work grew, requiring me to learn to navigate the multi-faceted business side of things. And that was the start of an unexpected yet fulfilling journey that pushed me to learn and grow in ways I never expected.
What is the thing you love the most about what you do?
On an emotional level, this shift from a corporate to a creative career has allowed me to get to do what I love every day, which I am eternally grateful for. As an added bonus, the nature of my job is a very happy one. I get to capture the pure love of families and individuals, preserving their intimate moments and memories, which is so uplifting. I always come home feeling happy after a shoot! I also love the polarity of my job - the very high-energy people-focused part of shooting and then the very quiet creative part of the editing process. On a practical level, the flexibility of managing my own schedule enables me to prioritize time with my children, especially with my husband's demanding travel commitments.
If you had to share the single most important lesson you've learned while running your creative business, what would it be?
When you start out in a new business, especially a creative one, imposter syndrome is very REAL! You are easily drawn to compare yourself to other creatives in your industry. But the key is to focus on yourself and walk your own path. No one other than you has YOUR vision, YOUR perspective, YOUR tone of voice, or YOUR goals and determination. Your creativity is as unique as you are and that's why people are drawn to your work. Keep your eyes on your own path and keep moving forward. And when you feel like giving up, don't forget that despite all the obstacles that you may face along the way, you get to do what you truly love every day... and that is a very special gift.
Well now, if that wasn't inspiring, we don't know what is!
Whether you’re a veteran entrepreneur, just starting, or dreaming of taking the leap. We hope the wise words shared by our incredible female entrepreneurs from the Cayman Islands inspired you as much as they did us. Being a creative business owner demands hard work, courage, and resilience to stay true to your vision, even when things don't go as planned, but the rewards are immeasurable. We love what you do, and we love what we do!
Hooray for all of us!