ACCORDING to business expert, Peter Drucker, an entrepreneur is someone who searches for change and responds to it by exploiting that change as an opportunity. Not only does 29-year-old Keisha Hope fit this definition, but she also adds another dimension to it: the drive to be her own boss!

Her most recent venture was the creation of the first Kids’ Spa and Party Service in Guyana.

“One day I was brainstorming on what business I want to get into, and I realised that Guyana has nowhere for a child to get pampered in a kids’ friendly environment,” Hope shared.

From her experience, barbershops and salons are not children-friendly environments; these places usually feature indecent language and sometimes even drinking. Seeking to provide a safe alternative to this, her kids’ spa idea was birthed.

“The idea came to me in January of this year,” she highlighted and noted that by April, the business was up and running at its John and Bent Street location.

But not only did she want to provide an environment conducive for pampering children, she also wanted to offer a service that could be thoroughly enjoyed. Her business is replete with different packages which include manicures, pedicure, and facials for the children, but also has part packages which include pizzas, movies and special spa-bags.

As an entrepreneur, she has been seeking to maximise on her venture by always remaining innovative- since that is a key competitive advantage. And according to her, the support has been “tremendous” during the first few months of business.

“Mainly because it is something new to Guyana, everyone is fascinated and amazed,” an enthusiastic Hope related. In fact, she said she has served almost 100 children so far.

Aside from this venture, the entrepreneur has been creating her own businesses for some time now.

She is the proud mother of two young boys, and quite naturally, she wants to provide for them as best as she can.

But added to that, Hope stressed: “I always wanted to own my own business and to be my own boss!” And being her own boss, she actually has three small businesses now.

She started out selling sweets, ice cream and popcorn in 2014 and later expanded to an online store selling collectables for children.

Hope nevertheless highlighted, “My main focus is the spa right now but by next year I’m going to make all three my prime focus.”

Hope has a Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality and she is certified in Occupational Health and Safety. But just as with her businesses, she is not satisfied with just there and she aims at pursuing business studies next year.

Nevertheless, she believes that she already has the requisite traits of a businesswoman; her determination, creativity and vision.

“Whatever I want, I’ll push myself until I get it,” Hope affirmed and encouraged others to do the same.

She said: “Always follow your dreams and always believe in yourself no matter what people think or say about you. And most importantly always keep praying for what you want, God is always listening.”