Meet Polish by Pinky. Founded in October 2012, PBP is a Nail Salon that offers artificial enhancement services such as Manicures, Pedicures, Make up, as well as courses for individuals who want to venture into the field.
“In November 2020, PBP launched a product line, “PinkySwear,” which offers mainly quality gel polishes and other nail supplies for professionals. PinkySwear was developed out of demand. A couple of younger nail techs started reaching out to me for advice on what products to use. They wanted affordable and accessible products. At that time I was using an exclusive brand. This encouraged me to get my own line of gel polishes. The product line has now expanded to offer natural skin care products for personal and spa use,” says owner Reneasha Black.
As with every entrepreneur, there is a story behind the name of the brand. “When I was deciding on a name for my skill, I wanted to be different. A lot of techs had the word, ‘nails’ in their name, and I didn’t want that. Brainstorming brought me to the conclusion of Polish by Pinky. For the product line, PinkySwear came to me a few weeks before launching. I was initially going to go with ‘Polish’ by Pinky, for the gel polish. Then I said to myself no I want something unique, attractive and memorable. I thought about it for days and prayed. I remembered one morning I woke up with a thought in my head and messaged my best friend, “Ray! What yuh think about this, Pinky Promise?” And she was like, ‘nahhhh.’ And immediately after I replied “PinkySwear?” And she was like “yeahhh!” And I immediately went with it.” What a great story! And here’s to friends who support us and help us along the way.
For Reneasha the business is full time. “Time is not enough! It’s very challenging managing time, to deal with clients and customers and also now I’m a new mom. My schedule is 90% full majority of the time and I try to avoid phone distractions while dealing with clients. I take very long to check messages and some clients think I’m deliberately ignoring them. Sometimes I fall asleep with my daughter before checking messages and then, some customers expect immediate response.” It certainly isn’t easy juggling it all especially as a new mom. You’re a superhero!
So what inspired Reneasha to start the business? “My Dad paid for me to do a Nail technology course in 2009. At the same time, I still wanted to further my studies, but I didn’t have the financial support past this. PBP became a registered business establishment in October 2012. I used my God given creativity and expressed it through the skill of Nail technology. I also had a passion for drawing.
This wasn’t my initial dream. This business started as a side income while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Financial Management at Costaatt. I wanted to be an Accountant. But I guess this is where God wanted me. My skill and the business evolved beyond my expectations. I remembered two of my lecturers giving me advice, one of them; Ms. Khan, my Major lecturer, told me to use my knowledge to build my business instead of working to build someone else’s business. The other Ms. Blackman, a business lecturer, looked at me one day in class and said, “Reneasha you are sitting on a goldmine.” This encouraged me to build the brand.” Again, that support from your tribe is crucial especially in the early stages of the business.
Since being in operation since 2012, Reneasha must have achieved a few milestones and I wasn’t wrong. “My major milestone is traveling to Canada to attend the Ugly Duckling 5K Marathon of learning, in 2019. This is my most valued certificate. I believe I have 13 certificates to date.”
Also on the journey of entrepreneurship, there are many lessons to be learned as an entrepreneur. “Put God in everything. Your presence is important to your success.
The people you expect to support you never do. Some people want you to be successful, until you are successful.” Definitely some valuable lessons there.
And does Reneasha have any advice for those out there who may want to begin their journey as an entrepreneur? “For the upcoming entrepreneurs, be unique. This should start with your name and then your product or service. When you decide on a name it shouldn’t sound close to something already existing, because then, you’d just look like a copycat. If you need to go back to the drawing board, do it.” Great advice!
So we wanted to get Reneasha’s insight on brand building starting with how she defines a brand. “A brand is simply unique, it has its individual representation by name and look. It shouldn’t mimic something or someone else. It is recognizable from a far.”
And the difference between a business and a brand? “A business is a product or service intended to make a profit, a brand is an image.” Entrepreneurs like Reneasha always have the best insight.
When it comes to the local brand community here in Trinidad and Tobago, here are her thoughts. “Some are more of a business than a brand, and it’s only about the profits. I also believe that in the local brand community, many don’t understand the importance of networking, they see everyone in the same industry as them, as a competitor.” Networking is very important!
Check out PBP and PinkySwear for all your beauty needs!
