The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

Although it is not Anya Fernander’s first entrepreneurial venture, opening her own “all-in-one” beauty salon was still both a challenge and a great achievement for her.

The Color Me Crazy Beauty Studio, one of the newest salons in the Johnson Road vicinity, was a dream of Anya’s for some time. And being able to see the salon celebrate its grand opening last Saturday was extremely gratifying, the young proprietor told Tribune Woman.

Her “girly girl” nature, she said, is responsible for her interest in all things beauty, which is why opening a salon was a no-brainer for her.

“Owning a salon has always been a dream of mine. I’ve always been a lady wanting my hair done, my nails done. So I decided to do hair and nails on the side. Then later I started my own makeup line, Lust Cosmetics,” she said. “When you accomplish your dreams, you are the first to see it happen. You can share your accomplishments with the rest of the world, but you are there, in the front row, on a single chair to experience the magic that unfolds. Opening this salon is just the beginning of the other things I have planned.”

Color Me Crazy currently specialises in hair care, natural hair, weave-ins, relaxers, treatments, as well as in acrylic, natural, and gel nails, manicures and pedicures, massages, facials and waxing.

“Many salons you go to today only offer one or maybe two kinds of services, hair and nails. But at Color Me Crazy we offer an all-in-one beauty studio,” she said.

It’s been nearly three years since Anya launched her Lust Cosmetics makeup line in her hometown or Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera.

Since then, she has learned a great deal, which she intends to apply to this new business venture.

“What I have learned is that everything takes time. Things will not go as planned the first day, the first month, or three months or maybe that year, but it will work out. I’ve learned consistency and stickability. To seize every moment and to never give up on your goals,” she said.

Now that she has taken the leap of faith to start yet another business, the challenge comes in balancing her full-time job in banking with running the beauty studio and other ventures.

Anya said she knows the road ahead will not be easy, but she is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep her dream alive.

“It was difficult opening the salon. And it will continue to be difficult for a while until everyone becomes adjusted to the new work environment. Nonetheless, I do encourage anyone wanting to take this step to go for it. Put your all into it and keep God first,” she said.

“We live in a world where change is inevitable. You’re living and you’re existing. It’s up to you to decide where you are in life. If you follow your dreams then you will have something worth sharing with others – hope, inspiration and a reason to live, and that to me is a great contribution.”

When it comes to giving advice to other women looking to open their own businesses, Anya said: “You are never too old or too young to begin over again. If you want it, don’t let anything stop you from achieving it. Regret is a terrible thing, and a dream is powerful enough to bring you regret if you don’t take the chance to at least follow it.”

For more information on the Color Me Crazy beauty studio contact 422-6054.