– Braid specialist and make-up artist advises aspiring entrepreneurs

By Michel Outridge

IT was a mind of positivity, determination and faith that led Christine Medas to withdraw her life-savings and construct a small salon to house her part-time business.

Medas is not just any young woman, but a very passionate one, who is making a name for herself in the beauty business.

Self-taught talent
This small business-owner grew up braiding hair. She is self-taught and over time she perfected the talent and was urged to make it a living and that she did last year, when she withdrew her life savings and constructed a small building to house her salon.

Her small cottage-style, wooden salon is strategically located on the first street, just off the Public Road at De Kinderen Village, West Coast Demerara.

She is also a full-time employee at the Vreed-en-Hoop Regional Democratic Council Office (RDC) Accounts Department.

“I decided to get serious last year and invest in this small business to meet the demands of[my] clientele, who previously converged at my mom’s home three streets away and [I wanted] to avoid people visiting her house, something she didn’t approve of,” she said.

Medas told the Pepperpot Magazine that she would do makeups on weekends, but it is the braid styles that are in demand and she would take appointments even after she finishes work at 16:30hrs on a weekday.

“Some people go to classes to get better but I didn’t, it is a gift I have since a child and I would go to YouTube to view videos of trending styles to get familiar with what’s new to bring to the customers,” she said.

Medas would accept a hairstyle job only if she can accomplish the style to save herself and the client time and money.

“Clients would send me photos of braid styles they want via Instagram and Facebook, where I have a page and I would try to give them what they need, because to keep your business alive you have to be reliable and consistent to keep them coming and keep the doors open,” she explained.

She is versed in all hair types and textures as it relates to braids and it would take hours depending on length and style to complete a knotless braid style which is presently trending.

Medas’s Facebook page can be viewed as “Alisha’s Perfect Look”, the same name as her salon at De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara.

This hairstylist disclosed that depending on the style, the price varies which she considers reasonable adding that she is a professional and does a perfect job, every time.

Hard work is rewarding
This hardworking young woman is wise for her age and because of her workload and appointments she doesn’t have the time to socialise or mix with the regular crowd.

“Last Christmas, I had clients at my house waiting to get their hair done and I worked through all night to ensure I met their needs with my service and that is how I work, non-stop even without eating some days just to keep my business open and customers happy,” she said.

“I am young and have the gift of health and strength so this is the time for me to work hard to ‘make my money’ and not wait until I get big to fight up to get certain things because when I have a family I want them to be comfortable and not have to pay rent or worry about frivolous things,” she said.

Medas, a chatty but pleasant person added that as she looked back at a year ago, the investment she made has certainly paid off but due to COVID-19 she had to close her door for a bit.

She recently resumed business as a result of the demand of customers, who have kept her busy with calls for her services.

Lending a helping hand
Medas added that the business cards she has are a gift from a client, who resides overseas stating that she is thankful for small mercies.

“Having a small business is all about assisting others with similar ventures because you have to help others to grow as such, the taxi drivers would leave their cards for my clients to use when they need to,” she said.

The feminist added that her salon is without electricity and she is hoping to have soon but in the meantime, she is using a battery to power a fan and other equipment.

Medas explained that as part of her small business she is a role model to young women in her village, she would accommodate them and assist them in braiding hair.

“I would tell them to come and watch me braid hair and that way they learn, everybody has a gift, a talent they can do something to make a living rather than sit and complain, one can get up and start their own small business and that’s the way to go to enhance your life,” she said.

These days as a result of the global pandemic, Medas works every other day, this gives her the time to do hair and that is how the Pepperpot Magazine found her this week.

She was braiding the knot-less braids in a client’s hair, a job which would take hours because of the length but she was at it and she was determined to complete the task at hand.

Medas would source her hair products from both local and overseas and is hoping to import fragrances and other hair products which will be available at her salon.

“As a professional, one has to get the tools to do the work because it makes you better equipped and sure of yourself and that’s why I follow the best hairstylists to enhance my skills,” she said.

Medas told the Pepperpot Magazine that her small business started as a vision and she believed that’s he could do it and she saved up some money and took her life-savings and went ahead with the construction of her salon.

“My biggest motivator is my mother, who always encouraged me to establish my own business and my family is very supportive as well even though we are not rich we have each other,” she said.

Medas added that for one to get their own business they have to first make a start then everything falls into place with planning.

The 25-year-old is hoping to make her small business her full-time job but for she will have to balance two jobs.