Let Your Desire for Success be Greater than your Fear of Failure

Zelma Prentice. Photo by Claudia Liburd

Nevis Reporter - SKNVibes.com

(Charlestown; Nevis): At the age of 21 years, Zelma Prentice has ventured into business management and has launched a babysitting service creatively self-titled 'Zelly's Babysitting Service' under the theme 'Excellent Childcare in Your Own Home'.

Prentice told SKNVibes.com that her lifelong dream was to venture into entrepreneurship and she opened the business with a view to assisting in the tutoring and monitoring of children with parents who work double shifts.

"Mainly, I love kids and kids are usually very open around me," she said. "After doing some research, I realized that a lot of parents, especially those working in the hotel industry such as Four Seasons often have to work late into the nights and may not have access to a sitter.  A lot of kids are behind in their schoolwork for various reasons, and as an ardent believer in "Education is the key to success" I believe that kids should receive as much help as possible to improve academically."

She continued: "Bearing in mind my motto, 'Excellent Childcare in Your Own Home' all of my services will take place at the home of my clients.  My main reason for doing this is because it is more convenient for parents to leave their child at home and not have to worry about waking up the child to carry him/her home."~~adz:Right~~

Prentice began marketing her service in December 2006 through the distribution of business cards and flyers at local businesses and thus far she has been successful in the procurement of two clients.

She said that she received her first job in tutoring on February 1, 2007.

"Now, I'm tutoring three days a week," she said.  "For a new business I would say that I'm quite successful thus far.  I have also been getting calls from persons wanting to know more about my services.  So the feedback has been great."

Prentice said that she has not experienced any major setbacks since starting her business.

"As this is a small business, I wouldn't say that I have had any setbacks.  However, it is not an easy job as I work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., so I am hustling three different jobs," she said.  "I'm also studying Business Management via distance learning through RDI.  So it is not an easy task, but I am a very driven person, with a very strong desire to succeed in life, and I am enjoying what I do."

In future, Prentice said she plans to expand her business into St. Kitts and throughout the wider region.~~adz:Right~~

"My plan for the future is to expand my business into St. Kitts and maybe even throughout the rest of the Caribbean.  Of course I can't do all of this without God, so I thank him everyday for life and for blessing me tremendously with the ability to help those that need help," she said.

"From the age of 15, it has always been my dream to be an Entrepreneur.  I would encourage young adults to not rely on just having one job; be go-getters.  If your passion is fashion, learn how to sew and start your own clothing line; if your passion is cooking, become the most-talked-about Chef.  Never underestimate yourself!  Let your desire for success be greater than your fear of failure," Prentice encouraged.