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    The 71st MISS UNIVERSE competition will be held in The 71st MISS UNIVERSE competition will be held in New Orleans on Saturday, January 14,2023. The highly anticipated event will feature 90 women from around the globe vying for the job of Miss Universe, through the process of personal statements, in depth interviews and various categories including evening gown & swimwear. Seychelles is being represented by Gabriella Gonthier.  The evening will culminate with the 70th Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu, who brought the title back to India for the first time in twenty-one years, crowning her successor.
#missuniverseseychelles2022 #missuniverse #neworleans #Seychelles
    Thank you for sticking with us in 2022. It was a h Thank you for sticking with us in 2022. It was a hard one and we published less stories this year but our readerships continue to grow steadily.  We are grateful for everyone who keeps coming back to us every month and our new readers. Thank you to all of you who shared your stories, wisdom and continue to inspire others.
    Captain Nicole Chang Leng paved the way for women Captain Nicole Chang Leng paved the way for women in the aviation field in Seychelles, and her contribution and service to her country will be remembered.
An Icon Remembered - Cosmocreole pays tribute to this formidable woman. Link in the bio.
#Seychelles #airseychelles  #tribute #rip  #seychelloise #femalepilot
    British-Seychellois artist Alyssa Adams who was in British-Seychellois artist Alyssa Adams who was inspired to paint by her father, the renowned painter Michael Adams, has ventured into designing fashion and setting up Alyssa Adams Designs. The Seychelles-based brand includes swimwear, bags, scarves, pareos, kimonos, dresses and shirts. The designs printed on the fabric are all done by Alyssa. Alyssa was born in Victoria, Seychelles, and the beauty of Seychelles' nature inspires her artwork. Alyssa works mainly with watercolour paints on paper and occasionally oils on canvas. She shared her artistic journey with Cosmocreole.
Link in the bio
#seychelloisartist #seychelles #fashion #michaeladams #alyssaadamsdesigns #artist #womenentrepeneurs #nature #fashion
    2022 was a great achievement for two Seychellois p 2022 was a great achievement for two Seychellois professionals, Melissa Stravens and Jemima Doudée who were the latest recipients of the Chevening scholarship, the UK government’s international scholarships and fellowships programme.
Applicants around the globe were required to apply directly through the Chevening online platform, after which the very best applicants were shortlisted and interviewed by a specialist panel at the British high commission. They had the opportunity to demonstrate how the scholarship will make a difference in their lives and communities, and how it will benefit them as a leader in their respective chosen field.
Almost 100 Seychellois have studied in the UK through the Chevening programme since 1984, going on to become leaders in their respective fields. Read Melissa's and Jemima's stories on Cosmocreole
#postgrad #seychelles #seychellois #professionalwomen #CheveningScholarship 

Photo credit: Seychelles Nation
    From Elaine's family

Greetings from Mumbai 🎄💕🎁
God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it. Our daughter and sister Elaine got the ultimate gift of life 💕 Her new Lungs 💞 in the week leading to Christmas. 
She has a great team of people behind her and she is the bravest person we know. 
Elaine is recuperating very well, but still has a long way to go. 
Thank you all for the encouragement, support calls and messages during this difficult and challenging time, our family will be forever grateful. 
Let this Christmas make way for a fresh new start for everyone. Embrace the many miracles it brings along and spread the love you have in your heart. Please do not take life for granted. 
Sending our warmest wishes for A Merry Christmas and A happy New Year 2023.
Ferdinand, 💞Lucie 💞 Elaine💕
Photo taken on the eve of her surgery.
    Sophie Perolari first Seychellois free-diving inst Sophie Perolari first Seychellois free-diving instructor

Sophie Perolari is a 22-year-old multi-talented Seychelloise – three-time Tang Soo Do gold medallist, filmmaker and freediving instructor.

Read Sophie's story. Link in the bio.

#freediving
#Seychelles
#seychellois 
#youngentrepreneur
    We wish @_gonthier_ good luck in the Miss Universe We wish @_gonthier_ good luck in the Miss Universe competition. Gabriella will be representing Seychelles...

I feel extremely happy and honoured to represent my beautiful country, Seychelles 🇸🇨 at Miss Universe 2022. It is a childhood dream coming true. 

I look forward to sharing my journey with you and making you discover what Seychelles is all about. I am so excited to work with Telly Modelling Agency and the Miss Maurice Organization.

Seychelles 🇸🇨 is back at Miss Universe after 27 years, I am honoured to be the second representative of my country to compete at such a glamorous event. I will do my best to represent Seychelles!

Thank you for all your support and love.

Gabriella,
Miss Universe Seychelles 2022

#missuniverseseychelles2022 
#missuniverse  #Seychelles #seychellois
    Nicole Chang-Leng was Seychelles first Female Capt Nicole Chang-Leng was Seychelles first Female Captain.

She was an inspiration for many women and young girls. She  made us believe in the value of our dreams. Seychelles have lost an amazing woman.

Our deepest sympathy to the family.

#RIP #airseychelles #Seychelles #seychellois #femalepilot #inspiration
    Aisha Toussaint, the once “quiet and shy” scho Aisha Toussaint, the once “quiet and shy” schoolgirl has paved the way for aspiring young Seychellois actresses who dare to dream. Link in the bio. #seychelloiswomen #Seychelles #seychellois #actress #acting
    Follow on Instagram
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27 February 2022 · In: Arts & Culture, Features, Seychelloise in Business

From Passion to Business- Margaret Moumou

To all those with a passion – “Don’t die with your song still unsung.”

Cosmocreole loves talking to Seychellois women who are side hustling turning their passion into a business. Margaret is currently enjoying single happy life with her two children, granddaughter and son in law. She works in the Office of the President as the Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Policy Affairs. Aside from her 8 to 4 office job, Margaret, a well-being advocate and Reiki teacher, loves making candles amongst her many passions. That burning desire to show her creativity and passion led her to create Island Candles —”helping you light your way” as the tagline.

How it all started

Candle making has always been a dream; I shelved it for over 20 years after my first attempt to get into this creative art failed. However, in 2019, I had this constant urge to make candles. It was almost like a voice egging me, telling me, “make candles, make candles”. Finally, I succumbed to the urgings and had a chat with a friend of mine about my wish to learn candle making. He readily taught me what he knew about the art. Following my first lesson in the art of candle making, I used the various resources on the internet to hone my knowledge and skills. I also followed an online course in candle making.

Island Candles— Islands are usually considered exotic, adventurous and close to Spirit. I wanted through candle making to explore the vibrancy of colours, tantalising fragrances and exotic candle designs. I wanted my candles to be a source of practical light for my clients but also through them, I wanted to spread more light and love in my clients’ lives. Just like the sacredness of islands, I perceived candle making and me to have a sacred union.

The Passion and the Collections

When I started dabbling in candle making, it was to satisfy a passion, a calling. So I would make candles and share them with my friends and family. But then people wanted to offer money for the candles. So the idea of registering a small business was born.

I strive to have something for everyone in my collections. I have an array of candles that can be used for decorative purposes or daily use.

For those working on their spiritual growth, I have a range of spiritually based candles such as Reiki principles, chakra candles, candles for specific manifestation, ascended masters, archangels, angels and saints and prayer candles.

I also make candles for different occasions such as birthdays, Holy Communion, confirmation, baptism, valentine, wedding, teachers’ day, mothers’ day, Women’s day and festive season.

There is a collection that I call the Sweet collection. These are candles inspired by desserts such as cupcakes, cakes, sundaes, soft drinks, milkshakes.

The Bar is a collection of alcohol scented candles such as beer, pina colada, espresso martini, wine.

I also make a variety of candles in cups. These are usually fragranced based on varieties of teas such as citronella, orange, rose, vanilla and coffee, of course.

There is a tropical collection geared towards tourists. These candles are made in coconut shells for fragrances such as patchouli, frangipane, citronella. In addition, I have a unique ocean view candle in glass jars made from gel wax and shows shells and sand from the local beaches of Seychelles.

Finally, I have a Daily Use Collection, which comprises various fragranced candles that may be used daily in the home or office. I also produce wax melts for use in burners. 

To do my share to protect the environment, I like to encourage my clients to bring their empty candle containers for refills instead of just throwing them in the bin.

The Creative Process

Since I am currently in full-time employment, I undertake my candle making activities in the evenings and weekends. I have a small workshop at my home where I spend glorious hours in candle making. I like to plan ahead what I’m going to make. Then I make sure that I have all the materials I will need in the process. I am very methodical in my approach. This means I go through the process step by step. I try not to multitask when I’m making candles because the timing, the temperature, all these need to be carefully monitored.

As I go about my day, I like to jot down ideas about candles that I could make. I also make use of the internet to generate further ideas. These help keep my candles current and appealing.

There is a beautiful feeling of accomplishment once I finish a product. I see them as my babies, my angels. I whisper to them, “go, bring joy and light to the hearts of the clients who choose you”.

Work-life Balance

Margaret’s family

I am a firm believer in work-life balance, and I do ensure that I make time for myself and my family. However, when I have many orders, it is, I must admit challenging to set time aside. I’m sometimes in the workshop until early morning. I like to keep my word to my clients, so I ensure that I deliver on time. I enjoy long walks in nature and along the beach during my downtime. These walks almost always end with a dip in the ocean. This is my time to be in touch with nature to refresh and revive.

Sourcing the Materials

I use three main types of wax for candle making. Paraffin wax, I use for pillar candles, parasoy and soy wax for container candles. Unfortunately, accessing candle-making materials can be challenging as most good suppliers do not ship to Seychelles. Shipping in itself is also very costly, which raises the price of products. I am currently importing from the UK, Mauritius, India and China, but I’m looking forward to narrowing it down to one or two suppliers. This is important to establish and maintain a brand.

Passion is Positive Energy

I deeply believe that the energy is now ripe for people to develop their creative potential. There is very supportive energy around for creativity. To all those with a passion – Don’t die with your song still unsung. If you need to start by croaking, by all means, croak, but take a risk and follow your heart. Fear will always be there; use it to propel you forward, to force you to do better. Don’t let fear overwhelm you. Most of all, fight laziness and procrastination; these are the two advocates of failure.

The Future

The past year and a half have been about exploring the field of candle making, learning, growing. It was very much incubation time. Now I am ready to lift Island candles to the next level. There is a need to properly brand the products, finalise packaging and expand the marketing strategy. So these are in the plan for this year 2022.

You can purchase Margaret’s creation at the Hyper Market and Zepible in Seychelles. You can also contact her through her social media page here

For a chance to win one of Margaret’s candles, Follow Island Candles and Cosmocreole on Instagram

· In: Arts & Culture, Features, Seychelloise in Business

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