EVERY business has challenges.

But for Tanasha Brown, entrepreneur and hair stylist, her obstacles were far different.

She had to rebuild her business from almost nothing when it was destroyed in a Molotov cocktail attack three years ago.

The fire was purposely set but no one was ever held for the crime, she said.

Brown said she recovered from her losses by "the grace of God."

She said, " In every disappointment, there is a blessing. It is because of God that I am where I am today."

Brown at age 21, opened her business, Tanasha's Elegant Touch Beauty Salon at Ramsingh's Mall, Chaguanas, where she sells clothing, shoes handbags, hair and beauty supplies.

Brown, 31 is married to Davy Brown and has three sons, Terrel,10, Jordell, five and Jaydell, two.

She said she started off her business by saving money using the sou sou method, her husband helped her, and she eventually qualified for a loan from the bank with which she bought most of her equipment.

After completing her secondary school education at the Union Claxton Bay Secondary School Brown took a hairdressing course through the Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP). She went to two other hairdressing schools before opening her business.

Brown said, "Since I was going to school I always loved hairdressing but my mother told me if I don't get my subjects, I would not be able to do the hairdressing course."

Brown said one of the major challenge of the hairdressing business was that there was too much competition.
" Because the industry is very competitive, other people always feel like you are coming to take away their customers, people are always talking about me. But in this business, everyone will have their particular customers."

On a good day, Brown who also does manicures and pedicures handles a dozen customers. Her sister Lisa James is her lone employee.

And the business that was worth initially $10,000 is now worth almost eight times that.