Caribbean Arts & Culture Creative Collective & Okoye By Kim W/ Kim C. Butcher

Kim C. Butcher is a Entrepreneur, Cultural Practitioner, TV
Host & Producer. She is the Founder & Creative Director of Okoye
By Kim and Buy From Bout Hey. She champions empowerment
and celebrates Caribbean heritage through fashion and lifestyle.

In this exciting conversation we chat about Caribbean arts, culture, creativity, entrepreneurship and creating space for others to thrive. Kim talks about her colorful life, work and transition from working in Government to build her businesses and brands. 

We discuss the power of signature looks, branding, fashion, style and how it defines a person's identity. She talks about her business and brand Okoye by Kim which celebrates the best of who we are as women. Her signature belts celebrate the waist - the core of woman, her tagline being "wear your waist". Kim also speaks about the value  on the marketplace, the space where we can conduct business to generate income. 

She spoke about Buy from Bout Hey, her television show which showcased products made in Barbados. The show later became her "runway" to showcase her belts and accessories, which helped promote the products from her brands. Kim speaks about the power of embodying her brand, which meant wearing her brands everywhere and every time she stepped out her door. 

Buy from Bout Hey is her intent to make a difference, to help people turn their passion projects and purpose into profits. It's a space where micro entrepreneurs can tell their origin story and speak about why they created their products. The TV show gave them exposure and created the opportunity for buying, selling and the exchange of goods.  Kim says "Buy from Bout Hey is about, buying and celebrating the best of who we are with each other"  

We spoke about making space for new things in your life and knowing when to make the leap of faith to discover and explore more. It may mean leaving jobs, people and spaces which no longer serve you. To create and carve out your own space, to curate the life you long for and want. Kim also talks about what it takes when you jump into full time entrepreneurship to build your brand. 

Kim talks about how she uses her "voice as her visa". To speak up and about the things which can enable change. She is about making connections across the Caribbean region. She talks about the need for Caribbean people to engage in these conversations to make it happen and to buy from each other, be it goods and services. Also, to have intentional relationships, to create commerce across the region by showcasing and promoting Caribbean goods. 

We discussed the business of local and Caribbean fashion, foreign competition and what it may take to create business models, which can serve the micro-enterprise business. Plus much more. 

This conversation is about building a Caribbean connection and collective, which is a powerful thing. I invite you to listen to the dynamic, inspiring and creative Kim C. Butcher, on a mission to build up and make the bridge for Caribbean people, even as she curates her beautiful life. 

Bio 

Kim C. Butcher has a Master of Science (MSc) in Event Management from
Leeds Metropolitan University, which enables her to bring a fusion of
creativity and strategic thinking to every project. Combining the dynamism of entrepreneurship, join her on this journey of empowerment and cultural celebration at Okoye By Kim and Buy From Bout Hey in Barbados and across the Caribbean.