For as long as he can remember Chris Stewart has had the urge to sell. “Even in
my school days, I was always selling,” he reminisced, attributing his salesman instinct to the fact his mother, Barbara, was a trader.
However, when Stewart graduated from the North Ruimveldt Multilateral high school, he decided to take a job in the lab at Omai Gold Mines, analysing rock samples to determine where best to dig for gold. His entrepreneurial drive saw him a few years later, working for himself as a taxi driver, but his reputation as a good salesman meant he was the go-to guy for any friend or acquaintance who had items to sell. “I would have them in my trunk and would pop it if anyone needed anything,” he explained.
That trunk operation would later evolve into a brick-and-mortar store, C&C Prestigeous Styles, on Regent Street, the commercial centre of Guyana, all thanks to Stewart’s love of hard-to-find American Eagle T-shirts.
“I like wearing American Eagle and people would always come up to me and ask me where I got them.” So on a trip to Canada with his wife, he decided to bring back a few T-shirts for resale. Locals’ enthusiastic response made the decision to open a fashion boutique easy for Stewart and he registered his new business on February 12, 2009. His attention to detail, friendly personality and willingness to go the extra mile, as well as his careful selection of trendy styles and pendant for photo shoots showcasing his stock have earned many fans. His Instagram and Facebook profiles are filled with his latest styles on voluptuous models.
Now as the fashion-forward boutique continues to celebrate nine years of operation, Stewart is grateful to still be in business, grateful to God and his
customers and family.
“We have been through the fire – literally,” he smiled ruefully, referring to a fire that almost wiped out the store in 2014. “Sometimes business is tough,” said the young businessman who returned to the taxi operator business, opening up Gemini Taxi Service last year with several cabs to help offset the economic downturn. “Now business is picking up and I am thankful… can’t complain, you know.”
The customer appreciation and anniversary sale going on at C&C Prestigeous Styles is plenty evidence of his gratitude.
He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to love whatever it is they want to do. “Don’t do it for the money; have heart for the business and make people look good… Don’t
jump into business thinking it will be all good: you’ll make a lot of money all the time. There will be good days and there will be bad days, just stick to it.”
Contact: 225-2494; 135 Regent Road, Bourda between Cummings & Light Streets above Julius Baby Store; www.instagram.com/ccprestigeousstyles/
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