The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

A NEW party event created by Bahamian Monique Brown caters to the demands of self proclaimed “shopaholics”.

“Shopaholics Anonymous” events are designed to create an extravagant shopping atmosphere for the Bahamas’ most fashion forward shopping craved socialites,” said Monique in an interview with Tribune Woman.

These events, she said, also create a shopping-party atmosphere for the bargain shopper as well as the luxury shopper, allowing both groups to quench their thirst for all things fabulous and fashionable.

The Nassau native said her first shopping party event was held in 2010 at her sister’s house. Along with a group of friends, Monique said they all took brand new items out of their closets and sold the items to each other for prices ranging from $ 0.25 to $20.00.

“It was a fun experience and we all left my sister’s house with bags filled with fashion goodies. I wanted to host another shopping party with my girls in 2012 and got the idea to share this creative “Girls Night Out” event with more women who love fashion. It was then that I came up with the idea to have a large scale shopping party to share this fabulous experience with all ladies who love to shop,” said Monique.

Even though she works full time as an assistant trust officer at a private bank, Monique continues to strive for greatness with Shopaholics Anonymous.

“Balancing my 9 to 5 as a private banker with my 24-7 as an event planner can sometimes be challenging because both are very important and require 100 per cent of your time. In order to keep a good balance, I put 100 per cent in when I have my banker hat on and when that’s done I put 100 per cent in when I have my event planning hat on,” said Monique.

She said her love for affordable fashion merchandise, having fun with friends and a love of planning fun events, gave life to Shopaholics Anonymous Events.

“I get to do what I love; shop as well as provide a fun atmosphere for persons who wish to shop and socialise with friends. You get to meet a lot of fabulous socialites as well as network with many interesting business entrepreneurs,” said Monique.

Encouraging other fashion enthusiastic entrepreneurs, Monique said it is a lot of fun but you must be prepared for a lot of hard work.

“The success of your event will depend on your planning. You must do careful planning and be well organised. The achievement of balance in your life is the definition of true success. Once I realised I could be successful in my career as a banker as well as achieve success with regard to my passion for creating fashion shopping events, I realised that I could do anything I put my mind to. It was an excellent feeling,” said Monique.

The latest Shopaholic Anonymous event took place under the theme “Japanese Street Fashion”, at the Wyndham Nassau Resort, Cable Beach.

“You know the event is successful when you see shoppers at the event shopping from 6:00 pm when the doors open until 11:00 pm when they close. I was excited to see that many persons came to the event wearing Japanese Street Fashion styles. Many shoppers, models and supporters of the event were all adorned in Japanese Street Fashions,” said Monique.