The Garden City – Belmopan Belize

TEDxBelmopan – Tony Rath’s TEDx Talk

Tony Rath’s TEDx Talk: Photography and the Light of Respect!

Today (December 9, 2015) the first TEDxBelmopan Talk was released. Belizeans especially have been patiently waiting for this release. Tony Rath’s TEDx Talk was titled “Photography and the Light of Respect.” Using photography as a tool to explore the world, acclaimed nature photographer Tony Rath takes us on four journeys where photography helped him learn life lessons about respect. From bird hunting and whale kills in the Faroe Islands, to kayaking unexplored canyons and being mesmerized by a small grey rainforest bird in Belize, Tony Rath uses his spectacular imagery to shed light on the meaning of respect.

Deidra Deandra with Tony Rath

Tony Rath is a well published editorial and commercial photographer based along the shore of the Caribbean Sea in the picturesque village of Dangriga, Belize.

He was born somewhere, and then grew up. Along the way he canoed the Quetico, flew gliders in the USAF, became a marine biologist; worked as a technician, diver and underwater photographer for the Smithsonian Institution; worked underwater on oil rigs, missile launch sites and submersibles off the California Coast; captained a sailboat across the Atlantic Ocean (twice) and through the Mediterranean and North Seas, commercial fished north of the Arctic Circle, lived in different cities and worked with different famous and important people.

To keep up with the latest from TEDxBelmopan visit their website www.tedxbelmopan.com or connect with them on Facebook.

Deidra Deandra is proud to be a Gold Sponsor for this event.

5 Small Business Tips!

5 Small Business Tips from Business Plan Presentations at The University of Belize

The University of Belize’s Bachelors students presented their Business Plans today. Six groups had worked with existing businesses in the community to assess their current status and make recommendations to help the businesses grow in the market through marketing plans and financial advice.

I was invited to be a guest judge for the areas of brand development, promotions and marketing. It was a fun experience for my company getting to help these students learn from an existing small business. It was also a learning experience for me as some of the businesses the students assessed have been in the industry for 15+ years. I especially loved all the treats they shared. (:

I was particularly impressed with a group who chose to develop a start-up. They introduced to the Belizean Market, Clover Dressings. Clover Dressings produces Caesar and Sweet Mustard Dressings. Both have no preservatives and through their current research will last about 10 months when refrigerated. Though I guarantee you won’t keep them that long; they are very tasty. I especially like the Caesar as it has extra cheese! If you’re wanting to see this product on the grocery store shelves, start supporting the business by ordering on their Facebook.

Here are 5 Small Business Tips I put together based on the presentations:

1. Facebook is the top marketing method in Belize to reach customers especially in the food industry (based on surveys by the students)
2. Fast food delivery is a rapidly growing niche in Belmopan.
3. Keep good track of your accounts. It is necessary especially as your business grows and wishes to seek funding. Get training if needed.
4. Develop a good brand from the start. You want to look good to the public. Deidra Deandra would be happy to help you develop your brand.
5. Be careful not to intermingle personal expenses with that of the business. A great way to avoid this is to pay yourself a salary.

More Photos on Facebook.
Testimonials of Deidra Deandra, a Belize Graphic Design Company.

10 New Belizean Businesses from Belize’s National University

New Belizean Businesses from the University of Belize

November 16, 2015–Today was such a fun and exciting day as I got to be a judge for the University of Belize’s Marketing Expo. Ten groups had worked to develop products to introduce to the Belizean market. They created the products, developed branding and packaging, and financed and marketed them.

Among the products were glow in the dark, eco-friendly lava lamps; yellow tomato ketchup, fruit juices, jams (including a delicious tomato jam, who would have thought?), wooden bottle holders, coconut oil, face scrubs and barbecue sauce. The response from the public was great and one of the businesses even sold out! Professor Audrey Pascasio said she was very proud of the effort her students put into their businesses and the feedback from the public.

It was so great seeing the next people the enter the workforce creating new Belizean businesses. I encouraged them to not let it be just another project but to actually follow through with their businesses. If they do, you should be seeing a whole new variety of “Made in Belize” products on grocery store shelves. Be sure to buy them!

University of Belize’s Mission Statement
The University of Belize is a national, autonomous and multi-location institution committed to excellence in higher education, research and service for national development. As a catalyst of change it provides relevant, affordable and accessible educational and training programs that address national needs based on principles of academic freedom, equity, transparency, merit and accountability.

See Photos of these New Belizean Businesses on Facebook.

Deidra Deandra at TEDxBelmopan

Deidra Deandra is a proud sponsor of TEDxBelmopan, the first TEDx Event to be held in Belize.

TEDxBelmopan, Belize I loved getting to sponsor such an awesome event by providing all the Graphic Design, Web Design and Printing Services. It is great to support such a forward-thinking event that aims to inspire Â My favorite piece to create was the “Changing the Conversation” theme graphic. I took two quotations and gave them a little personality by adding faces; it was that simple and everyone loved it. It was fun to see it come alive off the computer and many people got to take photos with the little props we got made for the event (see photos below).

For my business, this was a big step too. I’ve never showcased a booth before and was quite nervous to show one at this event where so many business professionals gathered. It turned out to be a real success and I walked away with 8 new clients. This is where I’m reminded of where the scriptures say “It is better to give than to receive.” I thought I was giving a lot with the amount of time invested in the designs for the event only to have God outdo me (as always) by giving me more job opportunities. It was certainly aÂ blessingÂ to be the Creative Director and Web Curator for TEDxBelmopanÂ and I’m thankful for the opportunity. See below some of the pieces I designed for this event.

Related Topics:Â Tony Rath’s TEDx TalkÂ | First TEDx Event in Belize

First TEDx Event in Belize

TEDx Event in Belize – 9 TEDx Events will be happening worldwide on October 1 and one will be in Belize!

Belmopan City, Belize – September 30, 2015—The inaugural TEDxBelmopan will be hosted in Belmopan City at the University of Belize Auditorium on October 1, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A home to young leaders, innovators and change-makers, and an institute of learning, we believe this to be the ideal venue for TEDxBelmopan.

TEDx Event in Belize

The independently organized event, licensed by TED, will include special presentations, TEDxActive Lab, TED Talks videos and will feature talks from invited speakers: Kalilah Enriquez, Janelle Chanona, Lisa M. Shoman, Tony Rath and Yasser Musa.

Feedback for the event has been overwhelming and spaces quickly filled up. Organizer Jeanelle Mencias said, “We have new messages in our inbox daily but can seat no more. To comply with TEDx rules, we can only host 100 attendees at our first event and we are currently at capacity.” Mencias also said this is the first of many, so keep an eye out for the next TEDx event in Belize!

TEDx Event in Belize - TEDxBelmopan

TEDxBelmopan will be hosted under the theme “Changing the Conversation” in an attempt to prompt discussion on issues affecting Belize and the world at large. As the world advances, and Belize with it, this generation is more aware of the importance of changing the conversation on how we perceive and do things. It is our hope that attendees will be inspired and moved to dig deeper into these issues and continue the discussions long after TEDxBelmopan. Mencias said, “We are committed to creating an event where participants are challenged to communicate their passions in an exciting and engaging dialogue. Speakers will have the opportunity to discuss their ideas with attendees, encouraging the exchange of ideas and information.”

To keep up with the latest from TEDxBelmopan visit their website www.tedxbelmopan.com or connect with them on Facebook.

Deidra Deandra is proud to be a Gold Sponsor for this event.

TEDxBelmopan-Belize-Sponsors

Related Topics: Deidra Deandra at TEDxBelmopan | Tony Rath’s TEDx Talk

WOW! Cool Photo of Belmopan’s First and Current Queens

Scrolling my Facebook Timeline this morning I saw this photo and had to share; it’s Councillor Anna Banner Guy with Belmopan’s First and Current Queens. Clarita Ozaeta won the title of Queen of the Bay in the early 1970s and Melissa Robinson holds the title this year (2015).
belizes-first-and-current-2015-queen-of-the-bay

Celebrate & Win – Congrats Christine!

Celebrate with Graphic Designer Deidra Deandra

We celebrated our one year anniversary early this month with a special giveaway! A big congrats to Christine Valerio for winning our Celebrate & Win Contest! She has won a Photo Shoot with Monica Gallardo Photography! Thank you for celebrating with us Christine! We also take this time to thank all those who supported us this year! We look forward to another great year of serving you!

Located in the capital city (Belmopan) Deidra Deandra – a Belize Graphic Design Company – has offered creative graphic design services to locals for the past year. We have grown in our short lifetime to reach international markets and receive business from various customers in the US.

This coming year, we are preparing to expand our services to develop a print branch. Through this new service, we hope to partner with many more organizations to help take your ideas from the initial design stage to the final tangible product. This is a big step for us and we invite you to stay connected as we grow to better serve you.

Read some of our reviews and consider us for your next project.

Celebrate with Graphic Designer Deidra Deandra

Celebrate with Graphic Designer Deidra Deandra!

Deidra Deandra is celebrating our first year of successful business in Belize! Located in the capital city (Belmopan) Deidra Deandra – a Belize Graphic Design Company – has offered creative graphic design services to locals for the past year. We have grown in our short lifetime to reach international markets and receive business from various customers in the US.

To celebrate (yes!!!) we are having a special giveaway! You can win a Photo Shoot with Belmopan’s Best – Monica Gallardo Photography! Deidra Deandra has partnered with this well known photographer to give you the chance to win a session in Belmopan, Belize. (It gets better!) Bring along your family or a group of friends to share in this session with you! After all, photos are always better with a few more happy faces in them!

HOW IT WORKS

It’s real simple (Really!). Below you will find 3 ways to enter the contest. For each completed, you receive a chance to win! Complete 3 and get your name in there 3 TIMES!

HOW TO ENTER

1. Like our Facebook Page.
2. Share this post!
3. Subscribe to our Mailing List [and be the first to grab specials and discounts].

TO QUALIFY YOU MUST BE

1. 18 years or older (or accompanied by someone 18 or older to claim prize).
2. A Resident of Belize.

Read some of our reviews and consider us for your next project.

Capital of Belize – Belmopan City!

Welcome to Belmopan City – The Capital of Belize

Capital of Belize - Belmopan City

The Capital of Belize – Belmopan City, is a beautiful destination to visit on your next Belize trip. Belmopan is located in the Cayo District, Belize and is a short 1 hour dive from Belize City. The City is designed with a Ring Road being encompassing the central area and leading off into every other destination in Belmopan.

Belmopan became the Capital of Belize in 1962 after the former Capitial (Belize City) suffered a great destruction by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. The famous National Assembly Building (photographed above) is a beautiful structure in the main center of the City and was designed to resemble a Pre-Colombian Maya Temple.

The city is known to be a laid back and relaxing place to visit. It is also the safer of the two cities in Belize. Belmopan City is rapidly growing from a quiet destination to a thriving city in Belize as the population, businesses and activities in the city increase. Here are 3 fun activities to do while in the Capital of Belize:

Capital of Belize - Belmopan City Go Shopping at the Belmopan City Market Day (Every Tuesday & Friday)! Here you’ll find many Belizean made products, locally produced fruits and vegetables, clothing, and local dishes from a variety of cultures. You’ll see farmers, fishermen, artisans, mobile pet stores, tradesmen, furniture makers, and people of all cultures going about their daily activities.

Visit the Guanacaste National Park! Guanacaste is a 50 acre Protected Areas named after the big and beautiful Guanacaste Tree. Among the activities to do at the park are: bird watching, swimming, picnicking and nature trails. This national park is home to tree species such as the Mamey Sapote, Brazilian Firetree, and the Mahogany, Belize’s national tree. Many animals call Guanacaste National Park home, including the Nine-Banded Armadillo, Kinkajou, White-Tailed Deer, and Jaguarundi. It has also a great place for bird watching as over a hundred species of birds have been sighted at the park including the Black-Headed Trogon, Blue-Crowned Motmot, Belted Kingfisher, Black-Faced Antthrush and Red-Lored Amazon. The National Park operates from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and has an Entrance Fee of BZ $5.00 (BZ $1.00 for Nationals).

Capital City of Belize - Belmopan City Go Horseback Riding at Banana Bank Lodge! They cater to different levels of experience. They also have a nice swimming pool for adults and children. It is a lovely place to stay as well if you’re wanting to stay in a destination surrounded by the jungle!

PS – If you’re looking for a great place to eat, a favorite of mine is Formosa (Nim Li Punit Street, Belmopan City). It has a nice atmosphere and they are consistent in serving great food!

Queen of The Bay Belmopan

Queen of The Bay 1987 Desiree Smith

Twenty seven years ago this gorgeous woman won the title of Queen of The Bay! She’s my momma! She was absolutely stunning in this picture and she is still a gem today! Looking at this picture got me thinking though. There are times when you don’t feel your best or look your best. This was a happy moment for my mom. She felt her best and looked her best; she probably felt like she was on top of the world. But life was not always like that for her and surely is not always like that for any of us.

She didn’t let those “not her best” moments affect her though. She would say to me not to not to let my outer appearance reveal what’s going on inside. For me, that translated to “Be Selfless.” Sometimes (especially females, let’s be real) can get so caught up in petty things. She said it to me many times when I had a simple flu and was mad at the world. Then, I was reminded by someone in a situation 10 times worse that my flu was not a big deal. You never know what others are going through; we always hear it and it’s always true. So as my friend Lexy would say, “suck it up buttercup” (and I say that nicely), because there’s a whole world of people for you to love on.

Miss World Belize 2012 Chantae Guy

Queen of the Bay 1987 Runner Up Patricia Zelaya

Queen of The Bay 2014 Jasmine Rhamdas

Cool Fact: Apparently, there’s something about Bermuda Street in Belmopan, Belize. Four beautiful ladies, including my mom, have won Queen Titles. Miss World Belize 2012 was from Bermuda Street, so was the Runner Up for Queen of the Bay 1987, and today Jasmine Rhamdas, also of Bermuda Street was crowned our new Queen of the Bay! All these Queens have resided or currently reside on Bermuda Street. Will the legacy continue? Any takers? Happy TENTH Belize!