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This Week We Feature Young Professional Susanna V.R. Ophelia

Young Professional Susanna V. R. Ophelia is a Cosmetologist, Customer Service Officer and Entrepreneur. Photo: VINO
Ms Susanna V.R. Ophelia is also a Customer Service and Sales Representative for the Nagico Insurances’ Virgin Gorda Branch. Photo: Facebook
Ms Susanna V.R. Ophelia is also a Customer Service and Sales Representative for the Nagico Insurances’ Virgin Gorda Branch. Photo: Facebook
Susanna V. R. Ophelia, 3rd from right, recently held a seminar on cosmetology. The presentation of certificates event was attended by Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), left. Photo: Provided
Susanna V. R. Ophelia, 3rd from right, recently held a seminar on cosmetology. The presentation of certificates event was attended by Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), left. Photo: Provided
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and should always go more than skin deep. However, those of us that need some help with our outer glow would greatly appreciate our Young Professional this week.

 Cosmetologist

Susanna V. R. Ophelia is more than just a Cosmetologist, as in her words, she is a person who enhances and enriches the lives of others through the power of touch, by “creating inner and outer beauty in all my clients.”

For over 28 years, Susanna has been in the beauty industry. This might sound unbelievable but when you find your passion at an early age there is nothing stopping you from working on it.

“From a very early age I knew this was my passion. I started training with local professionals at 11 [years old] and doing friends and family in my mom’s kitchen to test my knowledge and expertise but also to build my skills,” she explained.

Customer satisfaction

After 28 years in service, our Young Professional has met a lot of persons. For her the challenge is always meeting someone for the first time, coupled with difficult environments to work in. Susanna does not allow those challenges to stop her from doing what she loves the most. Instead she figures a way to deal with each challenge as they present themselves.

She explained that when dealing with clients, especially from overseas, for the first time she starts with “warm conversation, welcoming them and thanking them for choosing our shores to create a memory and experience on their most special day for the rest of their lives.”

Customer satisfaction is high on Susanna’s list of priorities and is one of the most rewarding part of her work. “Whether it’s a bride on her most precious wedding day, or the client who is satisfied with that silky texture of their hair, or that cut that puts a pep in her step; are all the reasons I love what I do,” she shared with our newsroom.

Exposure

Working in this field of cosmetology has allowed Susanna many privileges and opportunities. “I have been on platforms as an educator with some of the industry’s leading stylists at the Bronner Bros Show in Atlanta, International Beauty in New York, New Jersey, Carolinas and others.” She has worked with local pageants, Summer Sizzle Fashion Show, film productions, commercials and lots of destination weddings.

With all these extra perks in the job, there is still more that Ms Ophelia aspires to do in her profession. With all that she has learned, it is her ultimate goal to pass that knowledge on to others. Her dream is to open The Cut Above Academy, an institution designed for “learning, developing and continuous education for skilled and unskilled students.”

This school is intended help everyone with their beauty. “My hope is to empower everyone through knowledge. Once you grasp the basics you can excel in whatever specialty you desire.”

Education

Growing up in her beloved Virgin Gorda, our Young Professional attended the St Mary’s Primary School and then the Bregado Flax Educational Centre (BFEC).

After graduating high school, Susanna opted to gain practical experience in the working world, working for a year with Deloitte and Touche. However, when you know your passion, office work would only be a filler. Wanting to live her passion Susanna enrolled in the Dudley’s Cosmetology University, where she graduated second in her class of over 100 students.

Multi-talented

Our multitalented professional loves to push herself and develop in all facets of her life. While her passion is cosmetology, Susanna is also a Customer Service Representative at Nagico Insurances, attached to the Virgin Gorda office and the Director of S&S Group that provides construction services, maintenance and repairs and property care.

It is her aim to succeed in all three of her jobs. “As a Nagico Customer Service Representative, I see myself taking up a management role as I grow with the company and see the opening of my beauty and wellness institute.”

She also is working on growing her presence in the market with the S&S group.

Inspiration & Advice

Susanna believes that inspiration can come from anyone and from anywhere. However, from the former First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle L. Obama and world famous writer and poet Maya Angelou are her biggest inspirations.

“Michelle Obama, her story of humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful women in the world and Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’, [is] one of the quotes I live by once an obstacle arises.”

Susanna advises to young people is simple. “Follow your passion. Don’t settle for what everyone thinks your career should be. Find what makes you happy, so that at the end of your day you can say I did it my way. Keep your head up; if you fall, take your time but get back up and pray incessantly.”

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