The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

FEAR of the unknown sometimes stifles even the most confident people when it comes to starting a new entrepreneurial venture. Yet young Bahamian Anya Fernander remains undaunted by the challenge of owning and operating her own business.

Anya’s transition to entrepreneurship was risky, and nerve wrecking. However the fear of failing was not enough to stop the Eleuthera native from launching a new cosmetic line she hopes will eventually compete with high end brands on the global market.

She officially launched the “Lust” cosmetic line over the weekend in her home town Governor’s Harbour.

“Lust was inspired by my love for makeup and wanting to become an entrepreneur one day. I was told numerous times when I was younger that idle hands are the devil’s playground, therefore I tried my best to keep my body busy and my spirit alive,” she told Tribune Woman.

“I always wondered, what is it people love? What makes this so special? And it came to me: Women love makeup. And what makes the line special is that someone from a small country created it. Yes, there are many other makeup brands but Lust is Bahamian owned,” she said.

Since the launch at the TA&A’s Beauty Store and Salon, Anya said she has been busier than ever and is constantly thinking of ways to deliver the best to her clients. She researched what women like most in their makeup before launching the line. She constantly incorporates customer feedback to perfect her products and her business overall.

Now that she has taken the leap of faith to start her own business, the challenge comes in managing her full time job in the banking field, tertiary studies at the College of the Bahamas, and developing her brand. Anya said she knows the road will not be easy but she is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep her dream and business at the forefront.

“Everyone should have a dream, what you do with it is totally up to you. Dreams should never be just a figment of your imagination; if they are realistic, you should try bringing them to life. God gives everyone a purpose, you are definitely here for a reason and nothing beats a challenge. Trust me, nothing,” she said.

Before the year started, launching a cosmetic line was not on Anya’s bucket list. “Every year I set target goals and this was not one of them. Therefore, this was a risk and it was a successful risk taken,” Anya told Tribune Woman.

She said having family and friends who support her goals, in more ways than one, helps her to stay focused and face her fears.

For other women seeking to take a similar step she said: “Go for it. If you are not prepared to try, you cannot rate what your success or failure (if there is) will be. Believe in God and he will see you through whatever comes ahead of you,” she said.

Anya is preparing to launch the line in Nassau as well. Until that time a website has been established to cater to people outside of Eleuthera.

She believes the line gives women variety with featured products such as eye shadows, lip glosses and especially the lipsticks which “stands out far more than any other product right now”. They come in various colours including, blue, purple, green, red and others.

In the near future Anya hopes to retail and wholesale her products.

For more information log on to Lust Cosmetics on Instagram and Facebook or email lustcosmetics@outlook.com.