While most 22-year-olds are obsessed with social media, Young Professional, Ms Shantell Forbes says she is channelling her energies into building her brand and growing her business. Photo: Provided

‘Olive’s Cleaning Service’ is new on the block, a business started, out of a passion for cleaning by Mrs Forbes who live on Tortola as a resident of Sea Cows Bay. Photo: Provided

Through the clothing line called Dah-Shalia named after a flower meaning of loving yourself, she also sells T-shirts, bodysuits etc and plant to offer items for both genders. Photo: Provided

Shantell Forbes is also the President of an NGO called “Working Together Foundation”. Working together foundation is a group of young adults, who came together as one to give back to persons in need in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided

Passion for Cleaning

‘Olive’s Cleaning Service’, new on the block, is a business that started out of a passion for cleaning by Ms Forbes, a resident of Sea Cows Bay.

Forbes is a former student of the Ebenezer Primary School and Isabella Morris Primary School and also attended the Elmore Stoutt High School."

While University is not yet on the books, our Young Professional said she remains self employed through her owned and operated cleaning service as well as a clothing brand Dah-Shalia.

“I have a passion for cleaning. In my spare time you will always catch me doing something towards cleaning,” Ms Forbes told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).

She said many usually ask the meaning behind the business, “I decided this business to my mother, we provide clean houses, school, offices and business,” she said noting that no job is too big or small.

Meeting Challenges

The business also does General and deep cleaning in addition to laundry runs. She said as the business grows, more services will be provided to meet the demands of customers.  

Through the clothing line called Dah-Shalia named after a flower meaning of loving yourself, she also sells T-shirts, bodysuits etc and plant to offer items for both genders.

“I don’t really find anything challenging, but just trying to provide the best products and think outside the box,” Ms Forbes said remains a focal point of her ventures.

“My biggest life lesson was always believing everyone is the same but always make sure you put yourself first in everything you do... Always remember to love yourself, nobody will do, I learn a  lot over the past 2 years since my mom left me... that mould me to the young lady I am today and I am very grateful for her,” she said.

Our Young Professional said in the future she hopes to open branches/stores for her cleaning business throughout the Caribbean and having her clothing brand expand to include more fashion pieces.

Parting Advice

“God!! keep me focused, everything I do I ask God to guide me through the right path...  show me the way he has for me and can’t forget my mother who keeps watching over me,” she said.

To young people looking to start a business, she said, Everythings starts with you, “Always go for what you want in life...  Nobody wants it more than you”

Forbes continued, “You can get whatever you want in life once you put your mind to it .. Don’t let nobody get in your way. We all here on time .. make the best of it,” she said to those looking to pursue a dream. 

Shantell Forbes is also the President of an NGO called “Working Together Foundation”. Working together foundation is a group of young adults who came together as one to give back to persons in need in the Virgin Islands.