By: Sueann Wickham
Entrepreneurship is inherently challenging, demanding relentless dedication, strategic planning, and the ability to navigate numerous obstacles. In spite of these difficulties, many young entrepreneurs beat the odds with not only one venture, but in some cases, multiple businesses. Such is the case of Sheneeza McCurdy. At just 25 years old, Sheneeza already leads a thriving culinary brand as well as an online clothing business.
She started her entrepreneurial journey by selling homemade juice, then expanded into running a catering business, and is now venturing into the fashion industry with her own online clothing store, Luxury Apparel.
One may ask how does one juggle being a juice maker, a caterer for dozens of customers daily while still efficiently running an online store. During her exclusive interview with the Guyana Standard, the young entrepreneur shared the secret to her success, noting that her upbringing is the foundation of it all. She said it was steeped in the principles of hard work and self-reliance.
“I was raised by my mom as a single parent along with the help of my great-great grandma and my great grandma. Both my grannies used to make stuff to sell back in the days,” she recalled. Her early exposure to entrepreneurship, especially through her grandmothers’ ventures, laid a strong foundation for her future.
“Growing up, my grannies would always have me in the kitchen. I grew up with my grannies saying, ‘if you don’t do nothing properly for yourself, nobody na do nothing fuh you,'” she reminisced. These early lessons in the kitchen not only honed her skills but also instilled in her a deep appreciation for independence and hard work.
Sheneeza’s entrepreneurial journey officially began with homemade juice. She first identified a gap in the local juice market and decided to seize the opportunity and create what could be a thriving business. “I was motivated to start selling juice since it was an open spot and a request on the business market, as well as a form of income to help make payments for my studies,” she explained. However, the path was not without challenges. “One of many challenges I faced when starting selling juice was getting a consistent supplier(s) that provided a large quantity as well as good quality of fruits,” she shared. These early struggles taught her the importance of supply chain management and quality control.
“My initial experiences with the juice business were transformative in shaping my approach to entrepreneurship in the importance of understanding customer preferences, marketing, branding, along with development of product or item,” she reflected.
The next chapter in her entrepreneurial journey came during the pandemic, a time when many were forced to pivot and adapt. For Sheneeza, this meant expanding from selling juice to catering on a small scale. “During the pandemic, I would’ve cooked randomly for my family and a few friends on my the internet would always ask if I’m selling, and eventually, one day I told my moms let’s see how it goes because people seemed interested. We started off on Saturdays only, and it just blew up,” she recalled. The catering business she said, flourished, providing her with memorable experiences and valuable lessons. “It’s still one of the memorable moments I get to experience every day, always hearing reviews from new customers as well as hearing from my loyal customers every day about how far we’ve grown and improved from 2020 to now,” she said with pride.
Even as she nailed two entrepreneurial ventures, McCurdy felt that she could push herself much further. That’s when she thought ‘What else could I do?” She decided to forge a collaboration with her business partner, Stephen Alleyne. “Honestly, the new business venture was really and truly not my idea but the idea of my business partner Stephen Alleyne. He’s more of the fashion lover and has the eye for really great quality and brand clothing,” she explained.
Together, they launched Luxury Apparel, an online clothing store that offers authentic brand clothing for men, with plans to expand into women’s fashion and luxury fragrances. “We’re currently an online pickup and delivery form of source at the moment; hence, we’re working towards opening our storefront very soon,” she shared.
She was keen to note that the unique aspect of their store lies in the quality and authenticity of the products. “The unique aspect or theme we’re currently offering is authentic brand clothing for males such as tees, shorts, and hats. However, we will be branching into female clothing very soon, along with luxury fragrances,” she elaborated. Their goal for the first year is clear: “The goal for the clothing business in the first year of operation is to continue growing and opening our first physical storefront location in Georgetown,” she stated confidently.
Balancing multiple businesses at different stages of development is no easy feat, but Sheneeza manages it with grace and determination. “It is a task and it’s very challenging, but as time passes, we’re learning new ways and means to implement that make the work a little less challenging. My business partner and I have set aside different tasks and strategies to work together,” she explained. Throughout her journey, she has learned significant lessons about resilience and the power of community. “You’ll find few people trying to discourage you. The people you don’t know are the ones that go above and beyond to support and spread the word. It’s okay to fail and take a break and try again,” she stated.
Looking ahead, Sheneeza has a clear vision for the future of her businesses. “The long-term vision for the various businesses is to expand and have various locations,” she shared.
When asked if she has plans to find a new business venture, the 24-year-old said she is always looking for new opportunities and hinted at future projects. “Sure is, and when the time comes, I’ll surely let you be the first to know,” she said.
In the meantime, she noted that she will stay motivated and innovative across different industries as it is crucial to her success.
She was also keen to note that she wishes to see more young women take up similar aspirations as hers. Her advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs is “Take the risk; starting a business requires dedication and perseverance, and your pace is totally okay because it gets better once you keep going.”
For those interested in following her ventures, you can connect with her through her business pages. Visit @royal_lucy_juicy on Instagram for refreshing homemade juices and delicious catering services, and check out her latest fashion offerings at @luxury_apparel_gy on Instagram and Luxury Apparel & Co on Facebook.
