Donna Payne Chalmers returned to her homeland of Guyana to empower small business owners, during a March 24 exposition at the Georgetown Club in the capital city.
Titled “Byoutee Xplosion 2018,” the exposition attracted 22 mostly women business owners, in fashion, make-up, health, pharmacy, food, housing, and jewelry, that the Barbados-based business owner said despite a slow response to her first of many other ventures to come, she was pleased with the turn out and called the expo a total success.
While attending an exposition last year in Guyana, she noted that not enough networking had gone into the planning of the event, and as such, she opted to create Byoutee to help,up and coming business owners, by educating them to avoid the pitfalls seasoned entrepreneurs like her experienced.
Best business practice and discipline needed for proper packaging, barcoding, and marketing of their product were some of the ideas Payne shared with the women, who she added, would in turn inspire youth who would like to start their own business.
“If women could use their talents to produce excellent products, their businesses would eventually help them to build on their ideas, while empowering themselves. Women don’t have to walk about and beg, they could produce a good product to take care of their families.”
“It is not only about selling “plantain chips” from a stall, but ensuring that product is branded in beautiful packaging and marketed the right way,” said the beautician, who migrated to Barbados in the nineties to join her husband.
The launch of her business “Beauty Secrets” that provided cosmetology, hair, and makeup services, in 2002 and became successful in the Caribbean country also helped Payne to share her skills with others.
She is passionate about instilling financial and management values in women. She stated that many women don’t know their worth, a quality she would like to remind women they possess, and help them to build on, for success.
“Be yourself, be who you are, make sure you are honest with whatever it is you want to do, and work hard at your craft,” Payne encouraged.
The beauty consultant is planning a bigger and better venture in August 2018 that would give more women the opportunity to showcase their brand. This will be held on the busy thoroughfare on Main Street in the heart of Georgetown. Mental health counseling and cancer screenings would be available.
This time, however, the entrance fee would be waved, but vendors must contact Payne as early as possible to register their business through her WhatsApp group 246- 257 1772.
Popular entertainer Michelle “Big Red” King, did an exceptional job as emcee, while Dr. Joy Wilson, transformational leader and therapist, inspired the women audience with her bold speech.
Vendors included Juliana Hughes’ Jah Works Jewelry, Chef Mondale Foods, Latoya’s Instinctz Make-up Studio, Samantha’s Masseuse & Salon Gail Creations Paula’s Sweet Retreat, Tree Hut, Paula Evans Fashions, Kraftian’s and Fabulous Homes International, 4th Generation Farm Jacobs Argo, One-Stop-Shop, Miranda Bernard General Store, among others.
