By Tamica Garnett
WITH over 11 years in the business, and an ever-rising drive to better her craft, overseas-based Guyanese Stacy Small is very proud of how much her hairdressing and beauty business has grown over the years.

Small, who has been living and working in Trinidad for the past two years, is best known by the title of her business “Madam Slay”, admired for her work with natural hair women, especially her “miracle-working” silk presses.

Her business has become so acclaimed that last September she copped the “Hair Stylist of the Year” at the third annual Caribbean Beauty Awards, in Trinidad and Tobago (TT). Small said she has come a long way since she first decided to take up the art of being a stylist.
“My career actually started in the field of nursing, since I always had a love and dedication for taking care of people. It was the personal revelation of my excitement and affection for hair that led me to become a stylist and over the past few years, taking care of women so they can look and feel their best. I realise I just don’t feel comfortable doing anything else,” Small shared with the Pepperpot Magazine.

“Since winning the award my brand has already begun growing, a few reputable companies have reached out asking that I represent their brands.”

Started in 2017, the Caribbean Beauty Awards (CBA) is a civil society organization, dedicated to recognising professionals of the beauty sector in Trinidad and Tobago, and the wider Caribbean. For the 2019 awards, the competition honoured persons in the beauty industry including categories in hair, makeup, skin, nails, lashes, wigs, barbering and spa aesthetics, among others.

Small’s award was not without merit, she’s a professional who is all the rage among her customers, for her services and her warm personality.
“Look no further because Stacy is the real deal! Gentleness, patience, knowledge and quality runneth over! It’s rare in these streets to find a courteous and consistent service provider with a vast ability and passion for their craft. Phenomenal woman,” was how one online reviewer described the experience.

“Her hands are truly blessed!” said another.
Though Small is mostly famous for her work with hair, the 34-year-old is an all-rounded cosmetologist, providing a number of other services. She believes what sets her apart in her industry is her focus on her customers.

“I’m passionate about hair care and specifically, hair education. Education is essential and it’s what differentiates my approach as a stylist from the rest. My hope is that I am able to positively impact and elevate each and every client that sits in my chair. When clients leave my chair I want them to not only look and feel great but walk away being knowledge about their individual hair type,” Small said.

It was the development of her craft that led Small to Trinidad, travelling there in 2017 to attend a course with House of Kathy Salon. She went for the training and stayed for the business opportunities.

“The beauty industry in Trinidad is large. This country offers an opportunity to network with other renowned hairstylists in the Caribbean and internationally. So I decided to take a leap of faith and bring my talent to Trinidad,” she notes.

The journey for Small as a cosmetologist, however, started in Guyana, on the East Bank of the Essequibo to be exact, in the small village of Farm, where she grew up. She also spent some six years plying her craft in the Barima Waini village of Port Kaituma before she eventually migrated to Trinidad.

Even as she basks in the glow of her achievement, Stacy knows her development is still far from over and she’s looking forward to building on this accolade as the years go by.
“Leaving a legacy is important to me and continuing to build my brand over the next few years will play a critical role in my contribution to the local beauty industry,” she says. “I’ve spent years working on my own technical competence as well, becoming an expert in working with all different types of hair; spending time exploring different cultures of various Caribbean and Latin American countries.”

She’s also looking forward to one day helping others in the industry develop their skills. Small recently spent time while in Guyana, providing coaching to teenagers, helping build their technical competence, for those who are interested in turning a hobby into a career choice.

“Passing on this knowledge and coaching young and upcoming potential stylists in the industry is something that is also dear to my heart. This has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me and it’s something that I have started doing in Trinidad as well,” Small said.