This Week We Feature Young Professional Tanniqua M. Baptiste
23-year-old Tanniqua M. Baptiste of Fat Hogs Bay, Tortola, is charting her own course in life and in the cosmetology field with the establishment of her own manicure salon called 'TBeauty'.
A former student of the Francis Lettsome Primary and Elmore Stoutt High School, Ms Baptise eventually moved on to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) to pursue Culinary Arts before realising she had the drive for something else.
Setting up shop
"I currently work out of my home, trying to find or create a place that is suitable for me and my clients. I do acrylic overlays, extensions, gel polish services and manicures," she told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
For many, a manicure is that go-to cosmetic beauty treatment to pamper the fingernails and hands while restoring its softness.
Manicures consist of filing and shaping the nails, pushing and clipping any nonliving tissue, and treatment of other issues with various liquids.
While our Young Professional performs all of those procedures, she said the passion to do the job was not always there.
"Well, when I originally started looking into doing nails I had no intention of creating a business out of it."
According to Ms Baptise, learning was just a matter of gaining personal knowledge about the trade, "Then I got certified in it and around the same time I quit my job, then... TBeauty was born," she said.
Challenges
Our Young Professional disclosed that while the occasional “picky" and "demanding" client remains a challenge, in the end, priority is given to make sure that clients always leave happy and satisfied with the services received.
She said more challenges include obtaining supplies, "I have to order 90% of my products/supplies which is a bit annoying since there are so many beauty stores here," she said.
Ms Baptise also told VINO that the most gratifying parts of her trade; however, comes from seeing the clients reaction when she completes a job.
"The way their faces light up, it's honestly the absolute best," she said help her forget about the challenges.
Finding your passion
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Ms Baptise indicated that she had an office job as the secretary for a local plumbing company.
"I wanted to be a chef," she told VINO, noting that in retirement she still plans to pursue that goal.
Ms Baptiste said her current business was financed through personal funds, "I used my last paycheck from my previous job and just went from there."
She said a reminder to self about the purpose of her venturing into entrepreneurship keeps her focused on the job.
For now, finding a permanent place so that she and her business can flourish remains the goal ahead of much long term plans.
Parting Advice
Leaving parting advice for others looking to pursue a business goal or idea, she said, "Be 100% you, you’re going to get distracted but refocus. Don’t let anyone discourage you from working in an area that’s saturated."
She cautioned too that young business owners should understand that not everyone is going to support them and that lack of support is a lesson in itself.
"Once you got a few good people on your side and you don’t give up on yourself, then you’re a winner regardless," she said.
14 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Tanniqua M. Baptiste”
Keep doing you’re best! God cares.
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Your Cuzzo