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  hen
Nicole Boyd graduated from high school, she left her hometown
of Amherst and ventured to Halifax to attend Saint Mary's University.
Somehow it didn't feel right; but, she didn't know if it was
the changes to living in a larger centre or being at university
itself. So at Christmas she Transferred to Mount Allison University,
a little closer to home.
But, it still didn't feel right. What would she do next?
One Day, she was at a local
salon having her hair done and she had a conversation with the
aesthetician. The career choice sounded intriguing, so she investigated
further and enrolled in a course at L'Institut Jon rayMond's
in nearby Moncton. Finally, Nicole had found her niche!
"I finished in June and from June until October, I
worked with another aesthetician here in town," she
said. "We worked on a 60/40 split and, even thought
I was only getting 40 per cent, I was seeing more money then
I ever had in my life."
If 40 per cent was good, then the prospect of 1-- per cent was
even better. So, she started investigating striking out on her
own. Her mother, who was an advertising sales representative
for the local newspaper, knew about Cumberland CBDC because
they had purchased ads from her. The knowledge of the support
CBDC could give her was further backed by her parents' accountant
who had also gone to the CBDC for assistance to set up her own
business in Oxford.
She applied for funding under the Youth SEED ConneXions Program
and was accepted. The staff at the CBDC helped her with her
business plan, a process that she's happy to have learned and
behind her. The CBDC also provided her with opportunities to
meet with other entrepreneurs, representatives from other CBDCs,
and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency at last year's
Success Summit in Truro. Nicole's biggest surprise came when
she won the Youth Seed ConneXions award for Cumberland last
November, a prize that's proudly displayed on her office wall.
Nicole Boyd Aesthetics celebrated its first birthday in January
2003. While its youthful owner, Nicole (who is only 21!) says
that she's enjoying the hands-on aspects of the business, she
still finds the bookwork aspects of running a business slightly
frustrating at times.
One of the keys to her success has been the location of her
business. South Albion Street is the nerve centre for shoppers
in Amherst and the surrounding area. It's the home of the large
grocery store, the malls, the fast food restuarants, and service
stations. As Amherst continues to grow, a new Superstore is
being planned, Walmart and Kent Building Supplies are coming
to town, and construction is slated to start on a new motel
at the South Albion Street exit later this year. Her location
in the middle of the action will be even more crucial.
Currently, Nicole offers facials, manicures, pedicures, and
waxes - the basic aesthetic services. A massage therapist and
a hairdresser are also located in the same building and the
often cooperate to offer special packages for clients.
She knows where she wants to go. The first plan is to pay back
the loans and then, one step at a time, continue growing - eventually
to the point where she owns her own spa.
People often ask Nicole if being her own boss at such a young
age is daunting. It's not something she thinks about, she enjoys
being in control of her own destiny. |
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Website
Created by Trevor Proctor 2005 |
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