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In a world where entrepreneurship is celebrated as a gateway to success, 23-year-old Angel Wade, a young and vibrant nail technician, has carved her path to prosperity through dedication, creativity, and a determined entrepreneurial spirit. Wade recently graduated from the University of Guyana. Now armed with a degree in entrepreneurship, Angel’s journey is an inspiring tale of turning passion into a thriving business.
Wade grew up in Trafalgar and moved to Yeoville, a family oriented village on the West Coast of Berbice, with her sister and parents. For Wade, life in Berbice was fun; however, she counted her years until she moved to Georgetown. Angel’s older sister was her role model, and she made it her duty to follow in her footsteps.
She attended every school her sister attended, and she even hung out with her friends.
“My parents also played an important role in my life; they always supported my decisions. Even as a child, they would let me choose what I wanted and support me fully. This led me to be independent at an early age,” Wade said.
Angel’s loves nail art, and her passion ignited during her teenage years. However, after she started doing nails as a hobby, it soon blossomed into a skill that captivated those around her. Friends and family members recognized Angel’s unique talent for transforming nails into works of art. This early validation fueled her desire to delve deeper into the world of nail care. She attended Fraser’s Educational Institute (FEI), which played a huge role in her becoming who she is today since the headmaster, Mr.Marlon Fraser, would spend hours counseling and guiding his students.
In 2022, Angel started her first business called Angel Nailz, where she provides nail services. She will soon be launching another business in early 2024. Understanding the importance of formal education in her chosen field, Angel pursued a degree in entrepreneurship. This decision reflected her foresight and determination to not only excel in the technical aspects of nail care but also to navigate the business side of the beauty industry successfully. The entrepreneurship degree equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to turn her passion into a viable business.
When asked why she chose to pursue a degree in entrepreneurship, Angel told this publication, “I have loved studying business since high school; it was one of those subjects I paid extra attention to. When I was registering for the University of Guyana and looking for my major, I chose entrepreneurship because I felt like I did not know much about it and wanted to study it in debt. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made to date. I was able to learn so much about entrepreneurship and business management.”
Angel described her journey at the University of Guyana as challenging. “I had just moved to Georgetown and was practically living on my own. I lived with my sister, who was a flight attendant. She was always traveling, so I had to put on my big girl pants.”
Though it took her awhile to adjust to the new normal, she met some amazing people along the way and they supported each other mentally, emotionally, and academically. For Wade, this helped make UG a little less challenging. After a while, they had to move to online classes during the pandemic.
Over time, Angel and her classmates caught up to speed, and suddenly it was easier at the end since they were doing it frequently; it became routine.
Like any student, Angel has faced challenges along the way. Navigating the complexities of online classes was a challenge. Wade stated, “Many times we were placed in groups with people who didn’t know or would not do their part of assignments, which impacted our grades at times. Also, the work load was doubled, and it was difficult at times to juggle work, school, and personal life. At one point, I had to abandon my business to focus on school.”
However, by adapting to unforeseen circumstances, each obstacle became an opportunity for growth. Through perseverance and a positive mindset, Angel transformed setbacks into stepping stones, solidifying her resilience in the face of adversity.
In the future, Angel plans to further her studies and work towards becoming a business consultant. She would also like to educate young people about entrepreneurship.
Armed with her entrepreneurial degree, Angel is wasting no time establishing her brand, Angel Nailz. She planned every detail, from the name of her salon to its aesthetic appeal. Angel’s Nailz quickly became synonymous with quality, creativity, and a personalized touch. Clients weren’t just getting their nails done; they were experiencing a unique and delightful service tailored to their individual preferences.
Angel advises youth like himself by saying, “Go for it; if you take advantage of the opportunity and put your best foot forward, it will be one of the best decisions you make. Do not avoid going to the university because you heard it’s hard and/or challenging. Challenges are part of life, and overcoming them makes us stronger.”
Angel’s journey from a young nail technician to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to the power of education and unwavering commitment to one’s dreams. Hopefully, her story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those in the beauty industry, to recognize the value of both technical expertise and business acumen. Angel Nailz not only stands as a physical space for beauty but also as a symbol of entrepreneurial triumph, proving that with the right blend of creativity and business savvy, dreams can be transformed into reality.
