We recently connected with Simone Howard and have shared our conversation below.

Simone, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I came up with my business idea around 2009 when I was at work in my regular 9-5, back then I use to be in the banking sector in Jamaica. It was a year after a near fatal car crash I was in that left me with brain damage, some paralysis and other permanent bodily injuries, but God said it was time to be great and not focus too much on all the medical obstacles. Through out doing my various therapies and continued healing, I just felt the instant need to serve others in a way that allowed me to be more personal and help one person at a time. I was always a lier of Beauty and fashion and I had an epiphany that my business was to be called ‘Sta-sh’ I came up with the name. Shoes things and Accessories by Simone Howard. So not only does my business represent me and my passions but I said it would have to be great one day because it carried my name! So I shared the name to a coworker at the time and she loved it. I shared it with others, friends and family and the feedback was all positive. So that helped my motivation despite my medical conditions and I went for it! At first I started selling makeup with a friend but eventually we went on different journies while I continued on my passion. I started out with a mobile that allowed me a more door to door approach that was along my line of being more personal with customers and supporters. This approach trained me and allowed me to realize that though there were many gaps in the market I could capitalize on, the one thing kept me going was knowing I was enriching persons lives through doing business, and outside of just making a few sales with productsthey want, I was able to share my stories about life and empowering them to keep pushing and keep going no matter what they are going through because once we are alive it gives us another day to be hopeful so we can be better than we were yesterday.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Simone Howard I’m a Medical Aesthetician, Educator, Wellness Coach and Business Owner from Jamaica now based in the United States, I have different levels of Degrees in Health and Wellness Management, Banking and Finance along with diplomas and certifications in Medical Skincare and more. I am currently pursuing my Masters Degree in Education and thereafter will pursue my doctorate. The birth of my business came from the drive that was instilled in me after cheating death as they would say as a near fatal crash could have easily cause the unthinkable. But through God’s grace my life was spared. If I was not determined before I had a different determination spirit that can never die. No matter the circumstances I would always find a way. Over the year I have grown from a Mobile makeup business in Jamaica to expanding into fashion items and years later into a Beauty Boutique Salon and Spa which is in line with my Health and Wellness practice where I would help persons with health and weight management, lifestyle change and meal prepping. Currently I have further expanded not just in Jamaica but also into the United States with an e-commerce business that allows for my branded product sales and company offers. I also have a Boutique and Spa Suite which I am also looking to expand soon. My Company name is Sta-sh Beauty Ltd in Jamaica and Sta-sh Beauty LLC in the United States. We offer beauty services such as hair, nails, makeup, eyelash extensions and more. For the spa services we offer massages, facials, body treatments, acne treatments, Laser treatments, wart removal, permanent makeup and more. For the products we sell all products that complements the services we offer from hair to press on nails, to Skincare products as well as fitness and wellness products. I am proud of my journey and dedication. It has not been easy! I have gone through may emotions of ups and downs. Feeling overwhelmed, feeling like a failure, feeling like I can’t go on, having alot of debt from a medical stand point to business it was just alot. And in every growth process you will face it but once you go through the hurdles and make better decisions over time your rewards will be granted. Their is no true time line to growth. If you get there in year 1 or 2 great or even year 10 just keep going and stay consistent and block the outside noise and eliminate the distractions you will get there. Because I started my journey as as an employee, then I started business while still doing a 9-5, and after I eventually became a true entrepreneur and becoming an employer not just in one country Jamaica, but now I’m an employer in 2 countries including the United States.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

Yes I manufacture my products personally with my team. I can recall years ago when I started mixing my products from my kitchen and spending all my money on sampling and testing. I had times when the products were a hit and at times when the products failed. I was determined to offer products that would solve issues that I faced and could not find products that work for me unless I spent thousands of dollars with the dermatologist. By then I was already a trained skin specialist so I took it a step further and got local and international certification and training in manufacturing and creating cosmetics. Today, though I still do some products personally myself, I had to partner with a manufacturing factory due to product volumes and production time lines, but I instruct them to make my products to my specifications and formula. The lessons I’ve learnt is that consistency is key. Keep improving keep testing, get customers honest feedback and listen to them. They are who will keep you in business so try not to stress away to much from their needs. Offer a solution not just a product.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My pivot moment in my career journey was moving from being an employee to being an employer. On the employee side of my journey from 2005 After years in banking, I transitioned into being a project manager, then hotel spa manager, then a senior trainer in customer service. Business, Technological systems and Beauty and spa services. It was in 2019 that I officially decided to be a full-time entrepreneur employer and I never turned back. This eureka moment happened when I resigned from my last trainer job and was begged to stay to continue training the staff, I was even granted a raise as an incentive to stay but I was determined to face my own struggles with running a business full-time and that’s exactly what I did I kept at it fulfilled my dreams and yes its still not easy but I’m doing it. And now my aim is to help other do it too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sta-shbeauty.com
• Instagram: @stashbeautyllc
• Facebook: @stashbeautyltd
• Linkedin: Sta-sh Beauty LLC
• Twitter: @stashbeautyltd
• Youtube: @stashbosslady
• Yelp: Sta-sh Beauty LLC
• Other: Tiktok @stashbeautyllc