BY: MALIAKA BRYCE

Each quarter I take time out to update my Vision Board – a task that helps me stay focused on achieving my goals. Exotic cars are my weakness and motivator of choice. Dreaming of driving a sexy V12 makes me work a little faster and harder. My latest vision board inspiration comes from four of my favorite Caribbean Celebrities and their dream cars.

1. Nicki Minaj – Trinidad and Tobago

This island girl owns a few beautiful cars, most of which are bright pink including her Lamborghini Aventador valued at $400,000, and Bentley Continental GT worth $250,000. She was also spotted in a $500,000 Maybach 62S boosting a 12-cylinder twin-turbo engine with an astonishing 604 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque.

Onika Tanya Maraj was born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Jamaica and Queens, New York. The rapper/actress released three platinum-selling albums, Pink Friday, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded and The Pinkprint. Her album sales coupled with her various movie roles and stint as an American Idol judge, helped Minaj earn approximately $70 million in her career, according to celebritynetworth.com.

2. Bob Marley – Jamaican

During his lifetime, Bob Marley owned a number of luxury vehicles including a BMW, Land Rover Defender & Mercedes 500SL.  Nesta Robert Marley was the world ambassador for reggae music and one of Jamaica’s biggest superstar singers, musician and songwriter selling over 25 million records throughout his career. To celebrate Marley’s 70th birthday, Jamaica’s Land Rover dealership and the Marley family fully restored Bob’s classic Land Rover truck to its former glory. The vehicle is now on display at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston Jamaica. The Marley estate is said to be worth over $130 million dollars placing him on Forbes Magazine’ list of the five top-earning dead celebrities.

3. Wyclef Jean – Haitian

Wyclef owns an exotic car collection of over 37 cars including a $1 million dollar – Mclaren F1 “The fastest car in the world” and the rarest most expensive cars in the world, the Pagani Zonda C12 at $1,400,000.  Wyclef’’s cherry red C12 is one of only three in America. Wyclef Jeanelle Jean is a world famous singer, rapper, musician, actor, and politician. Jean moved to the States from Haiti at the age of nine and rose to fame as a member of the Fugees, winning three Grammy Awards for his work in music. According to People with Money Magazine his property holdings, endorsements, restaurant chain, football team, Vodka, perfume and fashion line puts Wyclef’s net worth over $146 million

3. Usain Bolt – Jamaican

Bolt is the fastest man alive and the richest runner in the history of track and field and owns a fleet of very fast vehicles including the Nissan GT2 worth over $100,999 custom designed and finished in real gold, Ferrari F30 Spider and a Ferrari 458 valued at over $291,000.00. The Olympic 100m and 200m champion sprinter has endorsements from Puma, Gatorade, Virgin Media, Visa, a best-selling autobiography and commands an appearance fee ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. It is estimated that Usain is worth close to $100 million.

So, keep dreaming big – because if they can do it – so can we… Right?

BY: MALIAKA BRYCE

The 45th president of the United States has been sworn in and whether you agree with his politics or not, it’s fair to say that Trump has already made a huge impact on the world with his endless smiles and fabulous hair.  All jokes aside, many members of the Canadian Auto Industry are anxiously holding their breath to see how the Trump effect will impact us here in Canada.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Trump has stated he is working to revitalize the American auto industry by encouraging more manufacturing within America and adding heavy taxes and/or tariffs to all imported auto parts or vehicles coming into the country. Trump’s spokesperson Sean Spicer stated “When a company that’s in the U.S. moves to a place, whether it’s Canada, or Mexico, or any other country seeking to put U.S. workers at a disadvantage, then Trump is going to do everything he can to deter that,”

2. Roughly 10% of American cars are made in Canada although many of the parts used in Canadian plants are imported from all over the world including Mexico. Canada is home to five major automakers that assemble vehicles and export to the tune of $60-billion worth of cars, crossovers and minivans to the United States last year.

This year the Canadian Auto Industry was making plans to expand with Honda Motors recently announced they will be driving $400,000 million dollars into the Alliston Ontario plant.

3. Trump has also promised to make changes to the current NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) between Canada, America and Mexico. Trump’s spokesman Sean Spicer said that Trump planned decisive trade moves in the coming days. He said Trump would issue an executive order on NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but didn’t say specifically whether he would serve notice of the U.S. intent to withdraw.

According to industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers,“It is increasingly likely these acts will lead to a renegotiation of NAFTA that will reduce or eliminate protectionist measures exempted from NAFTA. “nixing NAFTA or imposing a Mexican tariff could seriously hurt North American auto sales and the Canadian automotive sector as a whole. Even scarier is the fact the industry may be first on Trump’s policy targets list, says DesRosiers.

The Bottom Line: Trump has Canada stumped. It’s very much a wait-and-see type situation.

DesRosiers predicts “the reaction from automakers could go two ways: they could simply move production back to the U.S.; or they could “price to the tariff,” meaning they could jack up prices to cover the tax. The latter would hurt both consumers and automakers”.

What’s my two cents, I’m glad you asked – as a former auto sales representative, Van Dusen Chevrolet, Buick GMC Brand ambassador, in my opinion if you need a new car within the next year or so go ahead and buy it umm… let’s say now because chances are prices are likely to go up by 15-45% within the year. The cost of parts will likely be on the rise as well so if your emergency fund is not yet filed to the brim – go ahead and buy that extended warranty or you could always take an auto mechanics course and DIY with some chewing gum and a wire clothes hanger like my Dad used to do.    

We want to hear your take on the issue. Do you work in the Canadian auto Industry?  How has the Trump administration affected you and your work environment? What issues or concerns are you facing?   

BY: MALIAKA BRYCE

Does your morning commute make you arrive at work feeling angry and frustrated?  When someone wishes you a “Good Morning” is your response “What is so freaking good about it!!” Well, you’re not alone. Numerous studies support the fact that a longer commute – one hour or more, heavy traffic, poor weather conditions and construction delays during your daily commute can lead to increased levels of stress, anxiety and can dramatically reduce overall life satisfaction and happiness.

I personally struggled a great deal for years with my three-hour daily commute to and from work. I constantly complained about the time I was spending in my car and away from my loved ones. Fuming about all other things I could be doing if I wasn’t stuck in traffic. Road rage with the use of phrases like “look at this idiot” was the norm for me.

Common Commuting Solutions: Most studies suggest the same six basics solutions:

1.  Carpooling
2.  Moving closer to your job
3.  Avoid rush hour traffic by working flex hours
4.  Walking or biking
5.  Listening to soothing music
6. Avoiding the office altogether by working from home

All these suggestions are sensible enough but besides carpooling all the other options were not feasible for myself or my family.

My carpooling experience was not good at all. I tried numerous times with a variety of drivers and I quickly discovered that there is nothing more frustrating than when someone ELSE makes you late for work. Then there was the challenge of finding a driver that matched my driving styles. Driving with someone who drove too slow, practiced back set driving or worst drove like a dis-banned race car driver caused me more stress than it was worth in the end.   

My Commute Solution: I thought of quitting my job every day until I changed my mental approach to my commute. At the risk of sounding very “new-aged” or what my girlfriend terms “Whhooo whooo-ish” I must admit that changing my attitude towards my commute was the only thing that worked for me.

Gratitude – Before leaving the house I thought about how lucky I was to have a car and a job in the first place. I gave thanks for the quality roads we have in Canada reflecting on the countries I visited with horribly bumpy roads or no roads at all.

Planning Ahead –  I packed myself enjoyable treats to pop in my mouth on my commute focusing on sweet, natural foods that helped put me in a good mood. Red grapes are still my favourite. I also started using the time to learn Spanish and I listen to audio courses on finance, relationships and other “Whooo whoooish” type courses that I find interesting and the hours just fly by. I arrive at work with new ideas and vigour. After a few weeks, my boss noticed the change in my work performance. (try audible.com for great audio book options).

Being Nice – Play games with the other drivers – waving, smiling or giving the right of way and made an effort to acknowledge my fellow commuters as much as I could.  Often times getting big smiles and waves in return that just made me feel like a better person. The ego boost is incredible and contagious. I walked into work feeling like Mother Theresa.

Give these tips a try for a week and see what happens. Share your positive commute experiences. What are your happy commute tips or suggestions? Share them and let’s make commuting happier for everyone.  DRIVE HAPPIER!