Petreen Matthews-
Business-savvy
teen chasing big dreams
At age sixteen, when most teenage girls find
themselves daydreaming about their latest crush,
she was busy laying the foundation for her future.
With a one time loan of $35,000 from her grandmother,
she set right to work, purchasing products,
marketing to clients and closing deals. That
was two years ago, and she is still at it, more
determined than ever. Honed by new ideas and
fresh creativity, her cosmetics business has
grown and all the hard work is paying off. Not
bad for someone who just barely qualifies for
the voter's list.
Petreen Rachel Matthews is a money maker. Recently,
the 18-year-old was bestowed with the Young
Entrepreneurs' Association (YEA) Youngest Entrepreneur
Award for her business savvy and spirit of enterprise.
By rewarding Matthews, the YEA has turned the
spotlight on a fearless achiever who is charting
her own course to financial independence at
an age when others still ask their parents for
pocket money to go to the movies.
The product line stocked by her business, Pet's
Enterprise, comprises of the very best from
Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works. This
young businesswoman personally purchases the
products and distributes them within the Kingston
Metropolitan Region. At the same time, she is
a sixth form student at St. Jago High School,
where her core focus is on accounting studies.
Independence
How, you may ask, does a teenager balance books
and business successfully? Well, Petreen makes
it all sound pretty straightforward, as if running
a full-time business at her age is one of the
easiest tasks to undertake.
"Once you need it, I can get it to you"
she quipped as she handed out her professionally
done business card. A resident of Spanish Town
in St. Catherine, Petreen has clear memories
of starting her business on January 18, 2005
while she was a fifth form student.
"My mother encouraged me, as she realised
that I had the need for a high level of independence
at a young age. I chose body products because
I mainly cater to women and I strongly believe
that proper hygiene is important. I love having
the best, so I supply the best. Victoria's Secret
is also a well-established brand and I sell
the products at a price that enables the average
person to experience quality."
Her clientele consists of mainly professional
women over the age of 30, who can appreciate
quality without trying to haggle over the price.
Burberry and Calvin Klein colognes are also
good for business, as Jamaicans love a "name
brand" and love the fact that she can supply
what they want swiftly and easily.
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