Cosmetologist Carlene Collins is a thriving businesswoman with a social conscience.  Last Wednesday she staged a unique practical exercise for the 22 students who will shortly be graduating from her academy. Using the forecourt of The New Courtyard on Robb Street as a salon Carlene and her students offered members of the public manicure and pedicure treatment at reduced prices.

Carlene Collins (standing in foreground) with her students in the New Courtyard.

 “It’s a way of providing the girls with some measure of practical experience while giving something to the public,” the proprietrix of the Glory Glory Beauty Salon and Nail School situated on South Road, told Stabroek Business. The Beauty Salon and School employs three women and apart from manicure and pedicure services, also provides nail extension and nail design services.

Carlene says that changes in attitudes to health and beauty issues in Guyana have created a lucrative niche for operators in the cosmetology industry. “Cosmetology establishments now cater to more than just the odd customer. People come to us all the time. What has changed is that looking good has become as important as feeling good,” she says.

Last Wednesday, Carlene’s ‘open air’ salon on the forecourt  of The New Courtyard attracted scores of customers. The New Courtyard is fast becoming one of the city’s most popular incubators and Carlene told Stabroek Business that the exposure afforded her students provided them with an invaluable opportunity to meet potential customers. “It gives them an opportunity to secure a valuable lesson in customer care,” Carlene says.

There is another valuable social side to Carlene’s Cosmetology training initiative. All of her students are young single mothers who have no formal academic qualifications and who hitherto, were unskilled and unemployed.

A second cosmetology course starts in less than two weeks time and Carlene says that this initiative is her way of “giving back.”

And while Carlene does not use such exalted phrases as corporate social responsibility, her pursuits belong in the finest tradition of giving back to those who need it most.