Howe is the proud owner of “Mother and Me Maternity Store” in Purcell Estate, a unique business in the Virgin islands that is still in its creeping stage as it only opened its doors on the March 12, 2011.

The store caters to persons wishing to purchase items such as maternity clothing, accessories and Natural Organic products that gets the “stretch marks” out and which she claims to be one of the first persons to introduce it to stores in the Virgin Islands. A perfect baby shower could be done at the store too.

“I saw the need for such a business because there wasn’t a maternity store at the time in the BVI and I thought it would be a good idea to have such. Believe it or not there are a lot of individuals in the BVI, who probably are unable to access the internet for whatever reason to order their clothing online or go overseas so I thought it would be a great opportunity to fill that gap,” Ms. Howe said.

Educated at the Bellevue Primary School now renamed Joyce Samuel Primary School, she received her secondary schooling at the BVI High School now Elmore Stout High School, which she graduated from in 2000. Always business-minded, our Young Professional moved on to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) where she gained an Associate Degree in General Business. She also recently received a Certificate in Chartered Management from the Chartered Management Institute.

Further qualifying our thoughts of her prudency, our Young Professional said she hasn’t quite shut the door on academics. “I am always open to new challenges and I'm trying to pursue another degree or certificate in Human Resource Management or anything along that line. For me it never ends because in business you always have to keep up and keep going you can’t just stop because things change and you have to be able to adapt accordingly.

Commenting on her business, however, Ms. Howe admitted that it is not “blooming as expected" but she is positive that the situation would improve and is determined to stay in business and realise the full rewards of her heart’s desire. ‘Let me say it’s kind of slow right now and I guess it’s because of the economy crisis but things are going good. Each day I would have a customer stop in and it’s a different customer every time, which means that the word is getting around slowly. It’s slow for now but I expect it to pick up.”

Enjoying what you do on a regular basis is also important for self-gratification and this is what also motivates this ambitious Virgin Islander not just to want to survive but to want to expand her business. “You get to meet customers on a daily or weekly basis and when they come in they get to share their experiences with you and even though I have never passed along that line (maternity) you can give them some tips. I have gained a lot from my customers as well as my customers have gained a lot from me. There are also some products that I haven’t seen been introduced in the BVI and this is an opportunity for me to get it out there. Some of the products include Mambino Organics, which is designed for mother who have problems with stretch marks, sore nipples, scars etc. I have never seen

Dr. Brown’s bottles sold in the BVI and was told that I am one of the first persons to introduce it here so I look at that as a positive for me.”

Our Young Professional also said that most of her suppliers are from the United States.

Being aware of the challenges is also wise and Ms. Howe notes that there are two main ones affecting her business. “One of my greatest challenges right now is location because whenever it rains the water comes down heavily on the road and discourages persons from coming into the area. Persons generally do not want to turn off the main road. Another challenge is Marketing and Advertisement.”

Looking ahead, the businesswoman no doubt would like to see her business expand but is also aware that she must endure some rain to see the rainbow. ‘I know it will take a while. Also one of my plans is to have a spa that caters for expecting mothers. I don’t know if there is one in the BVI, I am not aware, but it would be catering mostly for expecting mothers. The expecting mother(s) can come and really pamper themselves. I also want to have a store where you can come in and purchase basically everything pertaining to maternity and babies.”

In the meantime, she is grateful for where she is and to all who have supported and encouraged her to follow her dreams, including her significant other Judson Maduro, his family as well as her own family.

Her words of advice to youths are to “follow your heart’s desire. Follow your dream because you may see the potential to do something and others may not see it but if you follow it and persevere you will make it. It would probably seem impossible at times but go step by step. There might even be people along the way, who will tell you that is not going to work but you just have to follow your heart’s desire. If that is what you want to do and as long as it is positive for you and to the community, do it”.