–small business owner moves on to new heights after contending with loss of store to fire, early challenges in business

By Cassandra Khan
THE trials of starting a business and a subsequent fire that destroyed what she worked hard to build were not enough to keep Bibi Shameeza Alli down, as she stayed the course and now boasts a well-stocked beauty care store in the City Mall.

The 26-year-old owns Beauty Essentials, a business that has been around for some six years providing Guyanese with imported skin and hair care products. But sustaining this operation has been no walk in the park, Alli said during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

She recalled the days when her business was just an online store that was created after she realised that a regular “9-5” was not for her.

“I always thought that skin care products in Guyana were a bit expensive whether they were high or low quality. So, I said you know what, why not order beauty skin care products? So, I started the business online and I actually got a few orders, but there were still times when I felt like closing the business down because there were many trials and hardships during the process,” Alli related.

In the face of many challenges, the entrepreneur persevered and eventually established a physical location at the Sharon’s Mall.

Alli said: “Then a few months after I told myself that if I don’t try again, how would I know where I could get and that is when I told my husband that I wanted to open a small location. So, I initially started the business at Sharon’s Mall.”

She added: “So, after I had recently opened the business, after a period of time, I wasn’t getting orders. That is when I took a break from the business.”

As time went by, a larger space became available at the mall after someone shuttered their business. Seizing the opportunity, Alli decided to make an investment where she bought a large amount of items to start her journey in the larger space.

But as luck would have it, her big plans were foiled by a fire which destroyed the entire Sharon’s Mall.

Though devasting, Alli saw the disaster as a bump in the road and started making plans to set up her operation at a new location.

She eventually found a small space at the Regent Multiplex Mall where she became well recognised.

Alli related that she spent a year and a few months there and received immense support from customers.

The support and accompanying returns increased Alli’s capacity and allowed her to move from just retailing to wholesaling products.

Recognising that her luck was changing and the business before her was growing, Alli decided that it was time to look at bigger options.

AM I READY FOR THIS?
“I was thinking, am I ready to make this investment? I questioned so many things like, would I have enough cash to pay the rent there?” Alli related.

This series of thinking ended with her finally deciding to move to City Mall, where she launched her store on Saturday.

She told this publication that she sells a wide range of skincare products, hair care products, and beauty cosmetics at affordable prices.

Alli related that she came from humble beginnings, so she understands what it is like to want something but not have the funds to satisfy this desire.

“My store is just not for the rich, it is also open for persons who are not so fortunate… there are many people that want to look and feel good but may not be able to purchase a product so I am here,” she said.

While she encouraged persons to capitalise on the products she offers, Alli also encouraged other small business owners to persevere and never give up on their dreams.

“There will always be people who are trying to bring you down and in this modern time being a small business owner, a lot of small business owners would try to bring you down once they see you are successful. My advice would just be to ignore them and work hard for what you want,” she related.

She added: “The journey to success is what is important, that is what matters. Consistency is important and you need to be strong. You need to be dedicated to something you really want. Dreams do come true but not without hardship.”

Recently, Alli has been in discussions with a Brazilian company to be the supplier of a popular Brazilian brand, Kativa.

She said: “I am currently in discussion with the Kativa company regarding becoming an agent of the product in Guyana whereby I will be the wholesaler and the retailer and we would have a wide range of products in the same line.”