On Facebook, kijiji, partyplanners.com, and craigslist, Faiza Syed (or "Fia," as her fans call her) has recently been making the rounds to publicize her home-run Henna business, Henna-by-Fia.
In today's modern world, young kids are getting more entrepeneurial. It's not just about selling lemonade on a street corner: with internet, social networking and university as a marketplace, teens are getting more creative. It's becoming easier and easier to turn side hobbies and pet projects into lucrative small businesses. Marketing is much easier, and word of mouth spreads faster.
But this also means there is much more competition and much more action on the playing field. So, entrepeneurs have to find a special product or service and cater to a unique subset of people.
Take one look at this 19-year old York student's advertisements and you can tell straight away that she knows her product. On her Facebook group wall, Fia boasts an extensive knowledge of Henna, as "an ancient Indian Body Art." ..."Mehndi is a natural product that comes from a bush called Lawsonia Inermis... growing in size from 3 to 5 feet and can vary slightly from region to reion. Its leaves are then dried and ground to make the henna powder."
One potential client, on her Facebook group wall, asks if she using black henna. "No I don't use it," she replies quickly. "Since it contains PPD in it and its harmful for the skin. Thus, its ban in Canada!"
In today's modern world, young kids are getting more entrepeneurial. It's not just about selling lemonade on a street corner: with internet, social networking and university as a marketplace, teens are getting more creative. It's becoming easier and easier to turn side hobbies and pet projects into lucrative small businesses. Marketing is much easier, and word of mouth spreads faster.
But this also means there is much more competition and much more action on the playing field. So, entrepeneurs have to find a special product or service and cater to a unique subset of people.
Take one look at this 19-year old York student's advertisements and you can tell straight away that she knows her product. On her Facebook group wall, Fia boasts an extensive knowledge of Henna, as "an ancient Indian Body Art." ..."Mehndi is a natural product that comes from a bush called Lawsonia Inermis... growing in size from 3 to 5 feet and can vary slightly from region to reion. Its leaves are then dried and ground to make the henna powder."
One potential client, on her Facebook group wall, asks if she using black henna. "No I don't use it," she replies quickly. "Since it contains PPD in it and its harmful for the skin. Thus, its ban in Canada!"
Artist: Faiza Syed
Her business is only about eight months old, but she has already been successful. She is unique among many on Gerrard Street because she also applies henna on the legs, the back, and even on pregnant baby bellies. She is a veritable temporary tattoo artist. See her Facebook group for some pictures of her more interesting - and even controversial - designs.
Her customers are just as thrilled by her prices as they are by her expertise. Working from home reduces costs for Syed; and it also allows her to be more flexible and adaptable.
Syed is in second year at York, pursuing a psychology degree. Her henna skills are self-taught, and she's been practicing for as long as she can remember. As a kid, she had always wanted to have henna applied on her own hands but no one in her family knew how to do it. Eventually, her mom would give into her tantrums by slapping henna on both her palms. Though there was no design - only two big red stains - it was the start of something special.
Her customers are just as thrilled by her prices as they are by her expertise. Working from home reduces costs for Syed; and it also allows her to be more flexible and adaptable.
Syed is in second year at York, pursuing a psychology degree. Her henna skills are self-taught, and she's been practicing for as long as she can remember. As a kid, she had always wanted to have henna applied on her own hands but no one in her family knew how to do it. Eventually, her mom would give into her tantrums by slapping henna on both her palms. Though there was no design - only two big red stains - it was the start of something special.
She is available for anniversary parties, birthdays, bridal showers, weddings, and other events. But for Eid, she is hosting a special Eid Open House. Check the Upcoming Events section for all the details, or log on to the Facebook group for Henna-by-Fia.
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