Orandy Smith - Contributed

At age 23, Orandy 'Accessories' Smith is already his own boss and exemplifies the success of a young entrepreneur. At his age, it is customary for persons to occupy their time drafting letters of applications in an effort to secure employment in traditional companies, acquiring work experience and eventually becoming subordinates under the leadership of their employers.

However, Smith 'calls the shots' for himself as he now operates an online store called Orandy's Accessories. Through his online store, Smith caters to the needs of females by suppling a variety of fashionable jewellery and accessories at competitive prices. Items include, among other things, earrings, rings, shoes, casual bags and scarves.

Smith started out in business on a very small scale and witnessed the gradual growth of his business over the past three years. He said his business began while he was still enrolled as a student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus. He said he used to walk about with a basket both on campus and in his community soliciting purchases from individuals. Smith told THE WEEKEND STAR "this business started out very small. It started out of a need more than a want."

He explained that he was motivated to start his own business after he encountered financial difficulties during his second year of university. These difficulties had placed him in a predicament because he "needed to provide lunch money" for himself for school.

balancing studies

His problems increased when he had to quit his job because balancing his studies and the job proved difficult. He said it "was just too much for me and my grades felt it." However, that summer, he received another job, but it was short term and he needed an alternative, a job that would last at least a year.

Smith explained that he needed a backup plan and consulted a friend for assistance. He said that his friend "suggested that I go into retailing costume jewellery since UWI is mainly females. Being the open-minded person that I am coupled with being in a desperate position, I decided to give it a try." He then invested the money that he had saved from his previous jobs into acquiring accessories. "The response to the accessories was amazing. The girls were madly in love with my sense of style, so I decided that it was something I was going to do until I left UWI."

However, Smith told THE WEEKEND STAR that he later decided to go into business full-time after he continued to receive positive responses. He pointed out that before he graduated from university, he was invited to a number of shows and was surprised that several women admired his accessories."All women that I came across loved my stuff," Smith said.

Smith kept his promise and launched a website and a Facebook page for his business last year after he graduated from university. He now has over 3000 members on his business page and assured THE WEEKEND STAR that the number grows daily. He has also entered into a business partnership with his fiancée.

When asked to describe a typical business day, Smith said; "it all depends on the kind of day that I have planned. There are three kinds of days for me; there are marketing and promotion days, delivery days, and days where I do both."

Yanique, who is a loyal customer of Orandy's Accessories, lauded his attitude to business when she told THE WEEKEND STAR that Smith gives excellent customer service and his accessories are very reasonable and worth purchasing. She also pointed out that Smith is very reliable and very punctual with his deliveries. Likewise, Lorna, another loyal customer agreed that she is pleased with his selections.

Smith said he has no regrets about being in business for himself. " I have none whatsoever. I have a degree but I like what I'm doing," he said. He also encourages potential entrepreneurs to "stay focused and be prepared to take risk. Be willing to fail because that's how you grow." Smith's store can be visited at orandysaccessories.weebly.com.

Smith also explained why it is vital to get accessories. 1. It can make your wardrobe seem larger 2. It can update your basics. 3. It can add colour or splash 4. It can focus the observer's eye for the emphasis you want. 5. It can change the outlook of your situation in a short time and it can make or break an outfit.