Jenell Pierre was born in the county of Berbice, Guyana. Her father, a farmer and her mother, a teacher did their best to provide for their children. She later moved to the capital city, Georgetown where her passion for business began to germinate at the tender age of seven. Along with a friend, they pooled their monies and hosted a hot dog sale on their street to raise money for a bible club – against the knowledge of our parents.

Her high school life saw her being a part of many performing arts activities; drama, choir, dance along with sports like cricket, basketball and high jump. While she pursued the sciences; Biology, Chemistry and Physics, she kept the love of business in her heart.

When she graduated from High School, she took a recess year between high school and college, which was when she began making ribbon bows for girls’ hairs. This eventually became her business, BowJay, and ribbon bows became headbands, hand bags, long ties, lapel pins, kerchiefs and what her business is known for most, bow ties.

This passion for creating, marketing and managing a business lead her to study business officially. After spending time studying at the University of Guyana, she moved to New York, where she was admitted to LaGuardia Community College and is set to graduate in the class of 2019, and onto another college continuing her journey of attaining her certification in Business.

“One-One dutty build dam cross canje” – Guyanese Proverb

(one step or one stone, over time, takes you where you are trying to go or what you want to accomplish)

How did you arrive at the idea for your business?

My business began as a hobby. Creating bows is something that I enjoyed as a pastime and persons were interested in purchasing them – that created the lightbulb moment.

What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?

I love to create products that make people happy and being able to create income from it. Being an entrepreneur is a thrill – there is no right answer, there is only what efforts you put in and the calculations that you make.

What is your greatest challenge being an entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur means a lot of self-sacrifice, sometimes little to no sleep, little to no personal funds and running on empty but always full of your passion.

What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

Being able to win the Business Pitch Competition with my wooden bow tie idea was my most satisfying moment in business.

What piece of advice would you give to other young people who want to become entrepreneurs?

Your team is your biggest assets – the sooner you can allow dependable people to invest in it, it will grow. Always remember, the only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

How do you define success?

Success is the accomplishment of one’s goals and dreams, while building a network and remaining humble.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?

My greatest inspiration is my mother – she is the epitome of hard work and success. Her enduring spirit and pursuit for her passions are what I admire, and she is the most loving person I know.