Let's Talk........

Rayette McDonald

Here is our next 'Bahamian Women Rock' feature.... The beautiful, talented and courageous Rayette McDonald

1. If you have to name one talented woman in our community who have made a positive impact, who would it be???

That person for me would be my cousin and friend Chevette Williamson from Chevy’s accessories. Her tenacity and vision to see the average Bahamian become business o...wners while promoting the Bahamas is so commendable.

2. Give us a brief description about yourself, your profession, hobbies etc.

Rayette Adrian McDonald serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Esteem Productions. Established in 2005, Esteem Productions seeks to promote events and initiatives that empower and uplift Bahamian women and teenagers, while expanding, revolutionizing and redefining the current global standards of beauty. In her role as CEO, Ms. McDonald assumes executive and managerial responsibilities in interfacing all operational departments, facilitating training and logistics for pageants and events while overseeing all company community service initiatives and special projects.

Ms. McDonald studied at Georgia Perimeter College in Decatur Georgia and received her degree in Education with a focus in Early Childhood Development. It was during these formative years that her commitment to the women empowerment and image development was born out of her own experiences with self-esteem.

Today Ms. McDonald is an educator, the author of numerous articles on self- esteem building. She is also director for Ladies In Waiting and Swan Club, empowerment programs for young ladies ages 5-16. She is also a Toastmaster for the prestigious 3596 Club and the Chief Editor for QUE MAGAZINE, a magazine for teen girls. She is a sought after motivational speaker and has addressed hundreds of students around the country spreading her message of encouragement and the importance of living up to their fullest potential.

She enjoys reading suspense novels, singing and travelling to exotic locales.

3. What is the best advice someone told you?

It is so funny, when I was leaving for college my mentor Ilsa Evans said to me, “look girlie, boys will always be here, parties will always be here, fun will always be here but the window of opportunity to get your degree won’t”. That changed my perspective on life, consequently I approach each assignment with the understanding that when opportunities knock, answer because it can leave.

4. What is the best advice you can give other women in the community?

Focus on your purpose and assignment not the opinions of others. Know what you have been called to and work your purpose. People often despise what they do not understand. Be true to your purpose.
What is it that makes you successful?

Plain and simple my “stick-to-it-ness. I want to give up all the time, I want to throw in the towel ALL the time, I am always asking to be normal but what I never do is quit because I know that PURPOSE ALWAYS PREVAILS.

5. What accomplishments in your career to date are you most proud of?

Whenever I see any of my kids succeeding, whether from class room, a speaking opportunity or my mentoring club that gives me so much joy and helps me to remain persistent and consistent.

6. What adjectives would your references use to describe you?

Courageous, creative, compassionate, funny, meticulous, aggressive, assertive, Saved

7. How do you encourage yourself to think creatively?

Not sure I have to encourage myself to be creative, my dilemma is I feel I am too creative. Hence my mind is always racing, and I always have people calling and trying to draw from MY creative fountain. That can become a bit much at times. It is one of the treasures the Lord has entrusted to me, so I embrace as humbly as I can.

8. What woman inspires you and why?

The woman that inspires me most is Pastor Ilsa Evans. It was her who recognized the greatness in me and invested and sacrificed much to ensure that it was nurtured and protected. She was the person that forced me to break a generational curse just by loving me into my purpose. She taught me how to love God for real and maintain a healthy relationship with Him. She taught me how to be real while being relevant. I owe so much to her and every day I try to make her proud. She is my gift from God

9. What advice would you give to young women in today's society?
Every successful woman has a story…..Tell yours. Someone’s deliverance depends on your transparency. See More