At an early age, I realized I had a hunger for knowledge. With this, my creativity was born in an era when technology was now budding in Guyana. Being a country girl in an unheard third-world country with limited resources, more so in rural areas, reading was a great passion of mine. Hand-me-down Readers Digest and fashion magazines were my primary reading collection. The pictures of glamour and reading details of how to create beauty kept me busy for most of my youthful years.

Still, the challenges of life, financial and otherwise, made my desire for a better future for myself and my family. At the age of 20 and with a lot of persuasion from my parents and family, I was able to move to the capital city, Georgetown, where I studied cosmetology. My creativity and knowledge gained in reading were now both assets and blessings. My first job was in the field of cosmetology.

Four years later, I had my very own salon, a small room, which kept me busy to fuel my expenses. I also did cakes, floral decorations, and sewing to make ends meet. As the salon business venture grew, the need for help also grew. However, my help needed to be trained to provide the level of services I was offering. I started with a cosmetology school, Nayelli School, and I was on my journey to fulfill one of my dreams of being a teacher.

A few years later, I saw the need to be certified. However, in 1996, no certification process existed in my country, and as a result, I enhanced my training and was approved and licensed by the state of New York in Cosmetology. This new chapter brought new teaching skills to the school and afforded enhanced salon techniques. The upgrade is constant now; with updated technology and a more competitive playing field, I keep pushing for greater excellence.

Working with an excellent team and supportive clients over the years has fueled the fire of this tremendous journey.

Today, I have been in business for 37 years, with 42 years as a professional cosmetologist. And yes, I look and feel 36. I blow my own trumpet here to inspire others to strive for excellence.