Fourteen-year-old Chandradai Devina Persaud has an interesting, extracurricular activity which she enjoys and also earns from. Devina, as she is called, is a nail artist whose creativity can be found displayed on her clients’ nails.
According to the teenager, via email correspondence with The Scene, she was stuck at home with only online classes, quickly became bored and longed for something new to take up.
Devina approached her supportive parents Rajmattie and Dr Rajendra Persaud, who agreed that she should find a new venture. They advised her to start looking for activities that might pique her interest. While scrolling her mother’s Facebook timeline one day, she came across an advertisement for a course in nail artistry. “I went and showed my mother the opportunity of being a nail technician [that] presented itself,” she said. “I was so excited, [I] could not wait for my father to come home from work to tell him about it…”
The course was not the first opportunity for Devina to practice her skills. In fact, nail artistry was already a hobby she was engrossed in and she usually practiced on her mother’s and sister’s nails whenever they were attending an event.
In February, Devina completed a beginner’s and advanced nail course at Mellisa’s Beauty Salon Professional Cosmetology School. She spent three more months perfecting this skill through numerous YouTube tutorials and continuing to practice on her mother’s and sister’s nails.
“Every day they had a new nail design,” she gushed. “It also makes me feel independent. I’ve had the dream of becoming an independent individual at a certain age but having that at the age of [14], I am so happy and proud of myself. I am proud that I have my own business, Devina’s Beauty World. I am proud that I can be able to help my parents at [my age]. Not only a nail technician but I’m aiming on becoming a fully [certified] cosmetologist and make-up artist.”
Devina acknowledged her sister Darshanie and younger brother Manjeet for their love and support, as well as everyone else who contributed in one way or another.
“If you want to do something or have a passion [for] doing something, do it today! Do not wait for tomorrow because tomorrow is never promised. Strike as soon as there is an opportunity,” the talented nail artist admonished other youngsters.
To book appointments, Devina can be reached on Facebook and Instagram @Devina’s Beauty World.
