Saltus Magazine Winter 2012 Page 33

S A L T U S M A G A Z I N E

3 3

IT WASN'T

until she became a parent that entrepre-

neur Katrina Williams Ball realised what Bermuda
was lacking--a locally produced parenting magazine
full of helpful tips for Island moms and dads.

Just over a year later, the 31-year-old mother

of two is the publisher, editor and chief sales
representative of Bermuda Parent (bermudaparent
magazine.com).

"After the birth of my first child, I was looking

for parenting information and activities that were
Bermuda-specific and there was none compiled,"
she says. "It seemed you just had to be in the right
place at the right time. I found many states and
counties around the world had their own parenting
magazines which were area-specific, and that was
when I decided to make my idea a reality."

Content is provided by freelance writers and

community contributors. Topics range from "preg-
nancy" to "teens," "parenting issues," "health and
wellness," "dads' corner," as well as a section dedi-
cated to highlighting Bermuda's young achievers.

"The magazine is for anyone who has a child, is

thinking about having a child, works with a child
or is related to a child--there is something for
everyone," says Katrina. "The spectrum ranges from
pregnancy to those graduating from high school."

The first issue was released March 2012 and two

more have followed. Despite the weak economic
climate, Katrina says sales have been good and
advertisers are supportive. So much so, she has
decided to branch out to TV.

"Not everyone is a reader by nature and I want

to capture the parenting audience through different
mediums," she says.

But production of the magazine and TV series is

currently just her side job--she works fulltime as a
civil servant. As Mom to two sons, Elijah, three,
and Enoch, eight months, Katrina says she often
doesn't start work on the magazine until late in the
evening--after her boys are bathed, fed and put to bed.

"The hardest part of my job is raising two kids,"

she says. "Recognising that I am now a role model
for them in everything I do can create quite a lot of
pressure. But, while children are certainly hard work,
it's all worthwhile being able to guide someone
through life and seeing them blossom and grow."

Katrina attended SGY from 199899. After

graduation, she went to the Word of Life Bible
Institute for a year, where she received a Biblical
Studies diploma. Later, after two years at the
University of Western ontario, London, she trans-
ferred to Anglia Ruskin University, UK, where she
graduated with a degree in Forensic Science and
Criminology. As a summer student, Katrina
worked for Westgate Correctional Facility as well
as the Bermuda Police Forensic Support Unit--
where she returned as a civilian crime scene officer
after graduation. Today she works in the Land
Title Registry office.

Katrina offers three pearls of wisdom to today's

students: don't worry too much if you don't know
what you want to do for a career right away, she
says--it's only after life's experiences that you find
your true passion; try to do as many work-shadow-
ing or volunteering opportunities as you can so that
you can see various types of careers; and don't let
anyone define you--"you are only limited by your
own fears."

--Helen Jardine

Katrina
Williams Ball / 1999

Parent publisher

`Don't

worry if
you don't
know
what you
want to
do for a
career
right
away'

Magazine mum: Katrina Williams Ball with her print "baby"

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