Gwen James Honored At SASSY 2016 Conference
By Monique Nolan
Photo Credit: Roland Hyde
Congratulations to Gwen James owner of Dream Castle Resorts, Montego Bay, Jamaica who was honored with the SASSY Of The Year 2016 Award.
A well deserved accolade for Gwen James , this recognition is thoroughly deserved for the contribution she has made by inspiring and empowering woman.
SASSY Empowerment Business Conference is a women’s conference to empower women businesses and those who desire to start a new business realize that the marketplace is their calling & ministry!
The SASSY Empowerment Business Conference was held at the Royal Regency Hotel, Yonkers, New York, March 5, 2016.
Gwen Nicks James (right), owner of Dream Castle Resorts, Montego Bay, Jamaica, accepts the SASSY Of The Year 2016 Award from SASSY founder/president, Cyndi Ashley (left), at the 3rd annual SASSY business empowerment conference held Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Royal Regency Hotel, Yonkers, New York.
Singer/Minister B Renee (right), who serenaded the SASSY Of The Year 2016, smiles warmly with Nitisha Moore (left), Community Manager at the American Cancer Society, at SASSY Empowerment Business Conference. held at the Royal Regency Hotel, Yonkers, New York, March 5, 2016.
Supermodel Rocky Hes rocks D’Marsh Couture at SASSY Empowerment Business Conference held at the Royal Regency Hotel, Yonkers, New York, March 5, 2016.
The Success Story of Gwen James By Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
Every door that you open in life leads to a new beginning and a brighter tomorrow. Gwen Williams is living this dream and can attest to that. Her unmatched success has taken her to new heights that seem almost unimaginable.
Gwen Williams is a single mom living in Mt. Vernon, NY with three lovely children. She comes from a very close knit family. She simply idolizes her parents and her grandparents have been her biggest motivation in everything that she does. She lives by the motto, “ Keep everyone together”.
After a divorce a few years back, Gwen picked herself up and, as a new entrepreneur, she began dabbling in many different areas of expertise. She had a strong fascination in beauty pageants and in 2007 when asked to host and coordinate a beauty pageant at her tropical Dream Castle Villas in Jamaica, she gladly accepted. Girls came from faraway places such as Trinidad and Barbados and she took great pride and pleasure in making sure everything went off without a hitch. There could be no more beautiful setting than Dream Castle Villas which is like paradise in the tropics. The very next year a friend asked for her assistance with his beauty pageant. The rest is history. She now has been the driving force behind the very successful annual ‘Dream Castle Beauty Pageant’. Girls are chosen with great care and given this golden opportunity to shine. Gwen takes them under her wing and works tirelessly with them day in and day out to teach them everything that is important to being a beauty queen as well as the secrets to grace and sophistication.
This year the glamorous ‘Night of Elegance’ Miss Dream Castle Beauty Pageant will be held on June 25th at the Royal Regency Hotel in Yonkers, New York. It is a grand event. Professional judges have been chosen from all walks of life such as the entertainment industry, previous beauty queens and even expert judges of other pageants.
Through the online social network tool of Facebook, Gwen Williams has been blessed to have made so many significant contacts. It has been a stepping stone for many of the pageants she has organized and recently she connected with Marshall Thompson of the Chi-Lites. He is a huge fan of Gwen’s and graciously accepted her invitation on behalf of the entire group to perform at her Dream Castle event in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Gwen became the first Woman to ever produce a concert with the Chi-Lites in Jamaica. It had been more than a decade since the group had been to Jamaica. Needless to say, as soon as the Chi-Lites stepped off the plane, they were ecstatic and thrilled to be a part of the action. They participated in an all-out fantastic Welcome Party and Farewell Party at Dream Castle Villa with fans and the media coming to cheer them on and perform for them . There was even a creative cake with the Jamaican flag. “The Night Of Elegance” concert which also featured Reggae Groups L.U.S.T and EBONY out of Jamaica was a huge success and will be an annual event. Marshall Thompson would like to ultimately do a music video with the girls that take part in the pageant.
But the pageants are only one side of the multi-talented Gwen Williams. She has a Fashion Jewelry Store called, ‘Anaya’s Fashion Jewelry’ named after her daughter and a beauty supply store called, ‘Fresh Look Beauty Supply’. Both are located in Montego Bay,Jamaica.
Some of Gwen’s newest ventures are a restaurant which is set to open soon in Montego Bay, Jamaica and Dream Castle Magazine which is in the works.
Gwen’s biggest fulfillment is being able to contribute to less fortunate children. She loves children and has helped the Orphanage Charity Groups in Jamaica, donated to the impoverished Haiti and also given to the Autism Society of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Her generosity and open heart reach far and wide to the wonderful world of children.
There are a few notable facts that one should know about Gwen Williams. She is a lady of class with ambition and determination. Nothing can hold her down. She is a strong woman in the challenging professional world but knows the secret to unlocking the door of success. She likes to keep it simple and is very careful that she knows exactly who she is dealing with. Gwen is happiest when she is able to teach. Even though the week is feverishly busy with deadlines, duties and responsibilities, weekends are made for rest, relaxation and time with her kids. Gwen’s kids dance, play the piano and sing and may be bound for the entertainment industry if they so desire later on.
There is so much to learn, love and admire about Gwen Williams. Her two greatest wishes: Retire at the age of 50 to Florida, the land of fun and sun and to be the next Oprah Winfrey. Well, Gwen, you are definitely on the right path and on your way! You are an inspiration to all!
Visit: Dream Castle Villa www.dreamcastlevilla.com today!
