Gems From Friends

Welcome to a new segment of Gems From Friends — Gems Spotlight. Gems Spotlight is a space for entrepreneurs and small businesses that want to build awareness, tell their story, or simply have an important message to share. In this episode, we sit down with Allan Haynes of ACH Consulting Inc., who is on a mission to help small businesses better understand one of the most important parts of running...

What does it really take to rise from humble beginnings to leading one of Barbados’ most recognized financial brands? In the Season 7 finale of Gems From Friends , Matthew sits down with Alison Browne-Ellis, CEO of Payce Digital , for an open conversation about the journey behind the title. Alison shares her story of growing up with a single mother, experiencing financial hardship, being unable to...

Three years after his first powerful conversation on Gems From Friends , Peter Coppin returns for Part 2 — and this time, the story goes even deeper. Peter opens up about the reality of building and sustaining his own radio station, the sacrifices entrepreneurship has demanded, caring for his 90-year-old mother, his battle with stress and depression, and a recent early-stage prostate cancer diagno...

Fewwture sits down with Senator the Hon. Shane Archer, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Youth and Culture , for a candid conversation about leadership, creativity and the future of Barbados. Shane reflects on his journey through sport, community, entertainment and entrepreneurship before entering government, and how those experiences now influence his approa...

In this episode of Gems From Friends , F’ture sits down with entrepreneur Rashida Hoyte-Hutson , the woman behind Rashida’s Pizza, for an honest conversation about what it really costs to build a business. Rashida shares how she left her job, took a chance on herself and built her business while raising a family — but she also opens up about the side of entrepreneurship people rarely see. From sta...

Everyone sees the performances. Few know the journey. In this episode of Gems From Friends, we sit down with one of Barbados' fastest-rising soca artists, Tionne Hernandez, for one of her most personal conversations to date. From being an incredibly shy little girl known as "Typhoon" to becoming one of the Caribbean's most exciting performers, Tionne opens up about the moments th...

For 20 years, Hypasounds has remained one of Barbados' most recognizable soca artists—but behind the music is a story of discipline, sacrifice, business, and resilience. In this episode of **Gems From Friends**, Matthew Ashby sits down with Damian "Hypasounds" Etienne for one of his most honest conversations yet. From beating drums on school desks to becoming an internationally touri...

In this powerful episode of *Gems From Friends*, Matthew Ashby sits down with Raphael Saul — attorney, entrepreneur, leadership consultant, motivational speaker, husband, father, and man of faith. Many people know Raphael from the stage, but this conversation goes beyond the keynote. Raphael opens up about who he was before the titles, his journey from law into motivational speaking, and what it f...

In this special roundtable episode of Gems From Friends, we sit down with three respected voices in Caribbean music — DJ Private Ryan, Scratch Master, and Barrie Hype — for a deep, honest, and entertaining conversation about the real work behind the booth. This is not just a conversation about playing music. We talk about what it means to move a crowd, how different islands respond to soca and eve...

In this episode of Gems From Friends , I speak with Janelle Skinner , a counseling psychologist and disability advocate whose story challenged me deeply. Janelle shares what life has been like navigating disability for 26 years, from grief and adjustment, to accessibility, work, faith, family, and purpose. She offers a powerful look into the daily realities many people never stop to consider, whil...

In this episode, I sit down with Tyrique Wilson , founder of Carrington’s Rum Cream , for a conversation about entrepreneurship, discipline, sacrifice, and legacy. Tyrique opens up about growing up in Carrington Village , starting out in photography, studying law, and eventually building a brand that carries both family history and personal purpose. We talk about what it means to create value, why...

In this episode of Gems from Friends, I sit down with entrepreneur and content creator Nick Wavy to talk about what it really means to rebuild your life on your own terms. Nick shares his journey from growing a major YouTube platform in Toronto to building businesses like Wavy Merch, Wavy Cuts, and Wavy Buds, and why he eventually chose to walk away from the pressure, the overhead, and the fast-pa...

In this episode, Kelly Johnally reflects on what it has really been like to walk away from comfort and step fully into entrepreneurship. Two years after making the leap, she opens up about faith, risk, loss, growth, and the quiet ways God leads when the path does not always make sense. We talk about the difference between having an idea and actually building a business, the emotional weight of com...

Coming soon

Grateful Co has one of the realest stories to ever hit this chair. In this episode, we sit down with the Bajan artist behind “I Like Her Too,” “Living Fast,” “When Last,” and “Center” to talk about way more than music. This is a full testimony on the block, bad decisions, gunshots, jail, God, fatherhood, and finding purpose . 🎙 In this conversation, we get into: Growing up in St. John and chasing...

When you’ve spent most of your life feeling “different” and out of place, what does it look like to finally come home to yourself? In this episode of Gems From Friends , I sit down with Gigi Farrier – stylist, educator, women’s wellness & mindset coach, fitness champ, and host of the solo podcast Wake Up to Wisdom – for one of the realest conversations we’ve had on the show. We talk about: Gro...

Reco Moore — Behind Barbados’s Most Genuine Documenter If you’ve been to an event in Barbados, you’ve seen him: the constant smile, the unstoppable energy, and the camera that feels like it’s part of his body. But behind the lens, Reco Moore carries a powerful story of resilience, trauma, triumph, and the inner battles that shaped one of Barbados’s most beloved documentors. In this deeply personal...

Sheena Lambert, the owner of Seafood Shack Barbados, a popular beachside food establishment. The interview charts Lambert's career journey, beginning with her first business, a clothing store called Glam by Glamorous, and detailing the organic creation of Seafood Shack after a personal craving led to overwhelming customer demand. Lambert discusses the challenges of pivoting her business during a t...

Sean Field, an actor and creative director. The discussion spans Field's life, beginning with his childhood and moves between Barbados and the United States, his initial entrepreneurial ventures in Barbados selling veggie burgers and windchimes, and his eventual career in design, advertising, and acting in New York and Los Angeles, including his experience on the film Hancock. A significant po...

The interview features Chef P, a Barbadian-American culinary artist, discussing his journey and philosophy behind his innovative Afro-Caribbean cuisine and his new Blackstar Barbados initiative. He recounts his early days as a DJ and how that passion for entertainment now influences his culinary approach, emphasizing the creation of a holistic dining experience rooted in Caribbean culture and rhyt...

We’re taking *Gems from Friends* on the road across Barbados—literally picking up past guests and continuing the conversation where we left off. In this special “Puffy Road Trip” episode, Puffy and Matthew Fewwture pull back the curtain on the so-called glamorous DJ life: sleepless nights, constant travel, and the real sacrifices behind the spotlight. It’s unfiltered, honest, and built for anyone...

An interview with Chef Lisa Springer, also known as Chef Pows, owner of Wing Hut, a restaurant that recently reopened at a new location in Hayman's Market. The host of the "Gems From Friends" channel, Matthew, surprises Lisa with a gift from iShop Sheraton Barbados for her new establishment. Lisa shares her journey as an entrepreneur, discussing the challenges and inspirations behind...

Crystal Haynes, who is a doctor and entrepreneur in Barbados. The discussion begins with an insightful update on Crystal's successful wellness practice, highlighting her journey of rebuilding and the lessons learned about perseverance, faith, and the importance of a holistic approach to patient care. The dialogue also touches upon Crystal's recent departure from politics, her focus on fami...

Hop in with us as we take a drive with West Indies cricket legend, Kemar Roach! We're cruising in the brand-new, all-electric Deepal from Inchcape Barbados, and the conversation gets real, fast. This isn't just about cricket; it's about the life behind the game. Kemar opens up about the tough realities of professional travel, the crucial importance of financial management for athletes, and the min...

A behind-the-scenes look at the "Gems from Friends" podcast, featuring a conversation between its creator and host, Matthew Fewwture Ashby, and his co-producer and assistant editor, Jacoba Vlogman. They discuss the podcast's evolution, from its initial documentary-style season to its current studio format, highlighting the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way. The conver...