TIPTOPSTARS

Cynthia Anduhtabe [CA]Dulce Camer is a blog that showcases Cameroonian achievements worldwide. It profiles talents in business, entertainment, fashion, media etc. Through these profiles Cameroonians (including myself) and non Cameroonians get to learn more about our country! I chose the name Dulce Camer because in Spanish (which I speak) “dulce” means “sweet” and “camer” is short for “Cameroon” so Dulce Camer means “Sweet Cameroon”.

[CA] Blogging and doing PR/Marketing are my passion. My day job is totally different because I work in the insurance market in London.Isabel, Ngum and I recently launched a PR/Marketing venture called Votre Avant Garde (VAG). We provide marketing and PR solutions to different businesses including fashion designers, music artists, restaurants/hotels. Bespoke event production for our corporate and private clients is a major part of our work. Think birthdays, christening, weddings etc. And we bring the style to it!We also organise a yearly fashion event in London called CamerCouture which showcases fashion designers from across Africa. You can find more information on our website www.camercouture.com . I find time to do all of these because I am really passionate about it. My day to day activities are very varied. It ranges from answering emails and telephone calls, doing interviews or interviewing talents, proposal writing, making contact with prospective clients, event planning to researching online or preparing interview questions. Not forgetting that I also have my 9-5 job in the London insurance market.

[CA] The lack of sites focusing on entertaining information within Cameroon and its communities. All the sites out there on Cameroon were mainly politics-based and although I am interested in politics (a little bit!) having witnessed the social changes in the 21^st century we all know that entertainment has become so important it is in itself a political and development tool. Barack Obama’s election is a testament to the influence of popular culture on politics.I was also interested in educating, inspiring and motivating other people to follow their dreams and by profiling “normal” people who had achieved something in their life I hoped it would play a part in encouraging others.

[CA] The fact that I am passionate about what I do inspires me and keeps me going. I feel great about the feedback people send to me on DC and I look forward to developing it. This is my motivation and I will continue on the blog until I can’t anymore!

[CA] I’d say the success of Dulce Camer lies in the fact that we were the very first blog that focused on talent profiling of “normal” achievers as well as the forgotten Cameroon entertainment sector.We got to where we are now through word of mouth as well as through our great display of passion and commitment!

[CA] We are blessed that word of mouth, our passion and commitment, has increased our readership thus making us successful. We access our readers just through the blog as well as on social media sites including Facebook.

[CA] With Dulce Camer, I would like for it to be a reference point for the Cameroonian entertainment and arts industries. Slowly but surely, we will get there. In the next few years, I aim to be running a very successful business.

[CA] Running great businesses from restaurants to event planning to fashion designing, music production, media publishing to talents making a mark within modelling, painting, music etc!

[CA] Again their attitude and their passion inspires me.

[CA] I read I Rep Camer, Yenih’s Bliss, Nexdim Empire, Bella Naija, Journal du Cameroun, some fashion and business related blogs/websites etc.I am close to a few writers from the above blogs/websites.I love the above sites because they are all so diverse in their portrayal and discoveries. You learn something new everytime you read!

[CA] We are the founding ”mothers” (only women at DC!) of the Camer entertainment portal!

[CA] I love fashion, my partners and I all do and that is why we organise the yearly fashion event CamerCouture here in London.My personal style is very varied! It depends on how I feel a particular morning/day and to be honest I do not follow the mainstream fashion trends. I dress how I want when I want but one thing you will notice for sure is my love for colour! I could be Africhic one day or corporate another or just plain normal another day!My favourite Cameroonian designers are: Côté Minou, KiRette Couture, Kreyann, Martial Tapolo, Olivia Ervi, Louise Assomo, Syl Anim (her African inspired sandals are to die for!), Anggy Haif, Imane Ayissi, Maison d’Afie, Charlotte Mbatsogo, John (love, love, love his stuff! His finishing is the best I have seen so far within the Cameroonian fashion scene!).

[CA] The talents profiled on DC have been inspirational. Everyone has a story to tell about their personal success and achievements and this is great because it shows that there isn’t a particular formula or set route to making it in life. The only thing needed is passion and determination which all the talents profiled on DC possess.I am very proud of the Cameroon fashion, art, culture and entertainment scene. The rising young Cameroonians are doing a lot for themselves which is something that has to be applauded. You have people like Naomi Achu, Nabil Fongod, Tito Valery, Mr Daddy Black, Yomo Chris, Steveslil, Denzyl, Wax, Adjani Klinsmann, Shiri Achu, Naoumie Ekiko, Luc Richard Mbah A Moute, Ndamukong Suh, all doing fabulous things in their own industries which in turns pushes the Cameroon name out there. Their hard work benefits us all!

[CA] I love baking cupcakes! Check out my Lolitas Cupcakes on Facebook!I am also passionate about interior design (my love of colour is die hard here!). I also love listening to music to unwind as well as watching Nollywood films.

[CA] You have to be rigorous on these sites! Make sure you use your wall and the walls of your friends wisely as these could potentially lead to greater things!

[CA] Interviews in magazines, blogs, websites and invites to glamorous evenings. I also develop very personal relationaships with some people others view as celebrities!