Tuesday, February 19, 2019

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BUILDING JAMAICA: Make-up artist develops product line

V IEWING THE Instagram page of make-up artist Shellene Gregrory’s Prissie Missie Cosmetic Jamaica Limited reveals some colourful and cre- ative make-up applications. Scroll through further and you will discover eyelash extensions, which are specially designed for her growing clientele. While make-up is Gregory’s specialty, the eyelash extensions are a new product addition. The cosmetic line of eyelashes, called ‘Prissie Missie,’is a part of the new line marketed by the 2018 winner of the make-up category in the Barber and Beauty Battle, mounted annually by the JN Small Business Loans (JNSBL). She plans to have a wide range of cosmetic prod- ucts catering to every need of her clients. “I have worked on building my brand Prissie Missie Cosmetics Jamaica Limited,”explained the for- mer teacher.“I have also launched my own line of eyelash extensions; and I am looking to add lipsticks later this year. “I have always aimed to go into product development and have an entire line of cosmetic products, because although I love make-up, there can be very slow periods. However, by developing a product line, I would have a steady income while creating employment and making my brand a household name,” she related. So far, Gregory stated that the response to her eyelash extensions has been positive. “I carried out a lot of research to source the extensions,” she explained.“It was difficult because I wanted to get the ones I would

Winner of the make-up category, Shellene Gregory, works on her model during the final theme, ‘Africa Futuristic’.

wear and not simply randomones. My clients have welcomed the products and have referred them to other persons. I have received queries and orders, as a result, and hope that this product will grow my client base even further.” MARKETING TECHNIQUE A full-time make-up artist since 2015, Gregory markets her ser- vice and products through refer- rals and social media; as well as use YouTube videos to learn and develop unique techniques about make-up applications. “I love what I do,” she affirmed. “I am always looking to be a bet- ter make-up artist; and, therefore, every chance I get, I watch the various applications [tutorials] to gain knowledge of the latest

techniques to better serve my cli- ents. I spend a lot of time watching make-up videos and ‘Face-Off,’ a television series about persons who do special effects make-up.” Since she won the JNSBL Barber and Beauty Battle, The Mico University College graduate’s client base has expanded, and she now has clients from across the country. “My client base is mainly per- sons between 18 and 50 years old, who want a different look for their birthdays, weddings or graduation. I have travelled as far as Ocho Rios, at the request of clients; and per- sons have come to my shop from other parts of the island as well,” she explained. “Entering the competition was a positive step for me,” she explained. “It gave me exposure;

and the funds helped me to register my company as well as introduce my line of products. I have also become more profes- sional, based on the lessons I learned while participating in the competition.” Gillian Hyde, general manager of JNSBL, explained that the aim of the JNSBL Barber and Beauty Battle is to expose the talent in the Jamaican beauty sector, while pro- viding participants with opportu- nities for entrepreneurship. “I commend Ms Gregory for making the decision to start her own line of products,”she affirmed. “Her desire to become an entre- preneur and establish a reputa- ble brand is in line with the JNSBL Barber and Beauty Battle’s main objectives. We will continue to

Shellene Gregory shows off her interpretation of ‘Africa Futuristic’. CONTRIBUTED

passion is in fantasy and avant garde make-up artistry. Therefore, I want to work onmovie sets doing make-up, and that is currently one of my goals,” she declared. Gregory developed an interest in make-up while growing up and watching her mother apply eye- liner and other cosmetics. She has no regrets about her chosen path and is grateful that her family sup- ported her along the way.

support the sector by exposing the talent that exists within the indus- try. We are proud of the progress which Miss Gregory has made, and we will continue to encourage her in whatever way we can.” Apart from new product devel- opment, the former teacher hopes to expand her skills, by doing spe- cial-effects make-up for film. “I want to study the techniques for film make-up, because my

Delegation promotes Jamaica’s animation and film content

of Sustainability for Studios (BOSS) Programme, an initiative of the Youth Employment in the Digital and Animation Industries Project (YEDAIP) in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), in col- laboration with theWorld Bank, and is being implemented by

JAMAICAN FILM and anima- tion studios participated in the Kidscreen Summit, an event focused on facilitating busi- ness in the global children’s entertainment industry. The film industry promotional mis- sion was part of the Business

JAMPRO. The mission ended on February 15. Kidscreen Summit is hosted annually as a gateway event into the entertainment industry, with focus placed on animation and other digital content produced for children and young adults.

The conference welcomes more than 2,000 attendees from 50-plus countries, including digital media content creators and distributors, producers and many others. The delegation networked with international industry influenc- ers, as they sought to promote Jamaica’s animation and film con- tent, and to build relationships for content distribution and invest- ment opportunities. BOSS aims to groom production studios and nurture cre- ative entrepre-

last year in quality, quantity, diver- sity and global appeal. Consistent attendance and presence in inter- national markets such as this is important in demonstrating to the global animation community that Jamaica is indeed serious about the growth and development of the local industry and its potential place in the interna- tional market.”

companies, and we anticipate that our participation at these targeted markets will develop and bear fruit into partnerships and contracts.” Reflecting on Jamaica’s pres- ence at the event, the film com- missioner also noted that for the first time, the island was invited to participate on a panel discus- sion that focused on partnership opportunities in emerging terri- tories. She said, “We were able to highlight the benefits of working with Jamaican production compa- nies and doing business in Jamaica as a whole. This is an excellent development, and is indicative of the increased awareness of our presence from ongoing and con- sistent market attendance. We can only move up from here.”

neurs to grow their busi- nesses into sustain- able and

profitable animation production entities, as well as to build Jamaica’s capacity to

take full advantage of the global animation and gaming industry. The programme will provide busi- ness enterprise skills and market access for local content creators to drive employability and entrepre- neurship in the local market, with a view to tapping into this growing global industry. According to Robert Reid, ani- mation specialist at YEDAIP, this year’s attendance at Kidscreen Summit was a significant mile- stone for the local animation community, as the Jamaican del- egation had increased presence at the event, with stronger portfolios to display. He said,“This third del- egation of creative business own- ers to the Kidscreen Summit took with them a stronger portfolio of local Intellectual property than in previous years. The quality of the work is significantly improved over SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

Film Commissioner

Renee Robinson agreed with Reid, and said that JAMPRO is thrilled to collaborate with OPM / YEDAI and the World Bank to lead the

national delegation to the Kidscreen Summit. Robinson explained that, “The BOSS pro-

gramme has allowed us to expedite global busi- ness oppor-

tunities for the selected