By Rae Wiltshire
At the age of 19, Keyola Hinckson (previously Brower) found herself discontented after trying multiple part-time jobs. She wanted financial stability and applied to the Guyanese Police Force’s Immigration Department, and the Guyana Fire Service. The latter responded, and after passing both physical and theoretical exams, she seized the opportunity as a potential career path for financial security. For nine years, Hinckson served as a firefighter, an experience that proved invaluable for her professional and personal growth.
Hinckson reflected on her time as a firefighter, emphasising the valuable lessons she learned about selflessness and taking on various roles within the department. She recounted her experience of occasionally serving as a dispatcher, handling statistics, and actively participating as a firefighter during fire incidents.
However, Hinckson faced challenges in fully engaging as an onsite firefighter, often encountering restrictions. In one instance, she defied orders to stay off-site during her first major fire at Gafoors on the East Bank Demerara. Despite being stationed in the Human Resources Department at the time, her eagerness to assist led her to run towards the scene, alongside a friend who shared her determination. Her action caught the attention of former fire chief Marlon Gentle.
‘Where are you going?’ she recalled him asking. Her friend ran back to her work. Hinckson ran to another fire truck, away from the fire chief’s gaze.
When Hinckson proceeded to the scene, she was astonished by the scale of the fire. When the chief fire officer arrived, he issued instructions without realising her identity due to her uniform concealing much of her appearance. It was only later that he recognised her.
‘Brower?’ she recalled him asking.
“Yes, sir,” was her response.
‘What are you doing out here?’
“Sir, am I not a trained firefighter?” Her question made the chief fire officer laugh, Hinckson said.
The chief fire officer also instructed that Hinckson receive a fire kit onsite as she was not in possession of one. She recalled having to make up her mind to face the fire and explained she did not back down from the challenge, despite the intense heat. It was so intense that at one point she used water from a nearby trench to cool her face. She also served as one of the contact persons to take injured firefighters to the hospital.
Following that fire, Hinckson said, the fire chief didn’t doubt her abilities anymore. He even expressed confidence in her potential and encouraged her to consider attending the University of Guyana. When he enquired about her plans, she explained that she had contemplated it for a while but hadn’t taken the step because she felt something was missing from her life, though she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
Despite excelling in various roles at the fire service, Hinckson was battling depression and suicidal thoughts. She recalled having a mental breakdown at work and just screaming. She had no words to describe her feelings at the time. She said she had experienced traumatic events in her childhood that not even her mother knew about. She left work and expressed these repressed emotions to her mom, and it served as a cathartic experience for her.
She mentioned that some of these emotions stemmed from bullying in school, particularly during her time at a private school where she was among the racial minority. She said she was often taunted about the colour of her skin and was called ugly. Those words deeply affected her; she started to believe them. As a result of the negativity she faced, she developed a habit of being jovial and trying to brighten anyone’s day with whom she interacted. Hinckson also suffers from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and believes that this condition contributed to her fragile emotional state during this time.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Hinckson found herself exploring new avenues. She began doing makeup at home with her neighbour. As she worked, she realised she couldn’t be the only woman struggling with self-image, which prompted her to enter the beauty industry. Determined to pursue this passion, she enrolled in a beginner’s makeup course to obtain certification and started practising on family members. Soon, others took notice and began requesting her services. Encouraged by the positive feedback, Hinckson transformed a room in her home into a makeup studio, launching her business, Glambeats by Keke Makeup Artistry.
This marked a turning point for Hinckson, who began to feel that her potential extended beyond her role at the fire service, particularly as she was experiencing frequent transfers between different departments without stability.
Over time, she realised that while makeup was important, educating people on self-care was equally essential. Recognizing that part of her purpose was to make people feel beautiful, she understood that prioritising skincare was necessary to achieve this goal. Motivated by this insight, she pursued further qualifications, completing courses in facial treatments and manicure and pedicure techniques.
Hinckson felt compelled to transition to her beauty business full-time and discussed her plans with a friend, who also happened to be her nail technician. Fully supportive of her endeavour, the friend rented a room to Hinckson to conduct her business. In November 2023, Hinckson realised her vision and opened Glambeats by Keke Beauty Spa, bidding farewell to her career at the fire service. She emphasised that her business was about more than just making money. “It is for people to come and have that rejuvenating time,” Hinckson explained. “Many times we go through so much in life and we don’t have the time to stop and unwind.”
Drawing from her own experiences, Hinckson highlighted that understanding what it means to be in a dark place was the primary motivation for operating her spa. She emphasised that the most rewarding aspect of her business was the experience she provided to her customers. Despite encountering scepticism from some about her transition from being a firefighter to opening a spa, she viewed her service as invaluable, believing that its worth transcended any price tag.
Amid doubts about opening her business, Hinckson turned to her faith for reassurance. She confided in her pastor about her uncertainties, and together they prayed for guidance. Continuously seeking divine intervention, Hinckson felt a sense of confirmation when she began purchasing equipment for her spa and received unexpected discounts. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she returned home and shed tears of joy, affirming to herself, “This is my field. This is my time to evolve.”
Even as a professional, Hinckson emphasised her continuous pursuit of growth and development. Despite receiving compliments from many clients who deemed her spa treatments as among the best they had ever experienced, she recalled an instance that particularly stood out.
A woman visited her spa but refused to have certain products applied to her feet, causing Hinckson to feel nervous about potentially delivering a subpar experience. However, she refused to succumb to panic and instead engaged the customer, asking her preferences. As they conversed, Hinckson discovered that the woman was highly knowledgeable about cosmetology and actually taught courses at Carnegie School of Home Economics. Rather than viewing this as a setback, Hinckson embraced the opportunity to learn from the woman. The exchange proved invaluable as the woman imparted tips and insights that Hinckson eagerly incorporated into her services, enhancing the overall experience she offered at her spa.
Hinckson also credited the unwavering support of two friends from the fire service, Dianne Gill and Tricia Leander, who had always inspired her and provided training. Their encouragement persisted even after her departure, as they assisted her in furnishing and decorating her spa. Additionally, she acknowledged the invaluable support of her husband, Akaney Hinckson, her mother, Eartha Saul, her pastor, Eureka Aderemi, her mentor, Lavern Fraser, her sister, Abigail Brower, and her close friend, Robyn Thomas. You can reach out to Hinckson at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043360196417 or 646-9777.
