Jennell Pierre of Bow Jay
Jenell Pierre is the CEO of Bow Jay, a fashion accessories line, based in Georgetown, Guyana. A 2011 graduate of St. Stanislaus, and former science major, Jenell started out making bow as a just as an ‘accidental’ hobby. It quickly became apparent that this teenage pastime was much more than that. As her designs caught the eyes of her family who wanted her to make pieces for them and offered to pay for her work. Her hobby soon grew into a unique and compelling passion and in August 2011, at the age of 17, Jenell founded Bow Jay, which specializes in bow ties, rings, hair and other accessories.
In an earlier interview, Jenell revealed that constant networking with the right people led her to join the Women’s Entrepreneurship Network (WENET), through Youth Challenge Guyana, who equipped her with the knowledge and skills to run a successful business.
Jenell has presented her designs locally at GuyExpo 2011, during several panel discussions through YCG, and Camp Girls Leading Our World (GLOW). Her exquisite wearable art are all hand crafted and consists of a wide variety of unisex bowties and hair accessories with equally cute names like Priscilla, Angela and Rebecca. Jenell is also a poet and singer and was a 2011 GTT Star Finalist. The young entrepreneur has also represented Guyana in the prestigious Caribbean Call to Action Entrepreneurship Challenge 2015 in which she fell among the top five finalists. The business has also been featured at the Women in Business Expo over the last few years.
Jenell’s goal for the future is to have an established location to sell her products. She also hopes to expand her business to the Caribbean and the US.
Jenell’s advice to others is “If you are interested in becoming an entrepreneur, do something you love don’t ever get into anything unless you love it. When it becomes very challenging and difficult, your desire for what you love propels you to go forward.” Other products designed by Bow Jay include hair bows clips, pony holders, bandeaus, hair bands, bow chains, bags, purses among others. The business is now located at 15 South Half Henry Street, Werk-en Rust. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
