SUTHERLAND GOES GLOBAL

Rosealee Sutherland (Left) and Deven Sutherland (Right)

Transforming oneself into a successful entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart, one must be brave enough to bring their inner visions to life, possessing the courage, stamina and the creative witts to make something from nothing or to see what no one else sees or understands in the market place then bring it to life. This week we highlight Devene Sutherland one whom we believe embodies all of the above.

Devene Sutherland; owner of "House of Deva Bandeau", Miss Sutherland wears many hats as a teacher, debate coach, dance coordinator, student and mother of two children. She started her business in 2014 designing and making hair accessories, she found success with her staple product, satin hair bonnets which is her best seller.

“The love I have for my hair first sparked my entrepreneurial dream which spawned House of Deva Bandeau. (HDB) consist of an array of custom made hair accessories. The greatest thing about HDB bonnets is that my customers get to customize their own accessories, choosing the style, color, and print they feel represents them best. Customer service is the most important thing to us ensuring that our customers are 100% satisfied in our aim to please".

Making the decision to start her own business along with her mother was not an easy task considering; she is a mother of two pursuing a masters degree. Miss Sutherland speaks of sleepless nights caring for her two young children while sewing, studying and more. The contemplation of giving up crossed her mind many times as she pushes forward hoping for a silver lining at the end of what was

HDB Product

becoming a dark tunnel, but with supportive parents that offered a simple gesture of helping, hands became the extra strength needed to accomplish her goals.

"I’ve had many instances in which I’ve wanted to throw in the towel, but God and family gave everything I needed to stay afloat. Through hard work I gained a customer base which is like family, my customers have supported me since day one they are playing a pivotal role in motivating me I've been blessed by getting new customers every day. The road to success is far from being easy. There are many ups and downs. I can remember just a year ago I announced on social media that HDB will be closing down and received an overwhelming amount of support from people around the world in support of me and my business. I also remember waking up the next morning to see more messages than I could read from people whom I have never met me. I was encouraged and inspired to go on. Believe this was the moment I realized the key to my success was. I created each piece with love and it came back to me when I truly needed it. Today (HDB) is stronger than ever my dreams come true"

Customers

With a new sense of devotion, she began creating new customer-inspired products sparking new social media followers and customers and now receives orders from Trinidad, England, and the United States. With this increase, she realized the power of the brand, she now has plans of expanding her brand creating physical locations by 2020, while shipping to more global destinations around the world.

This young entrepreneur has overcome many obstacles coming out on top creating that much-needed balance between work and family life to achieve her goals and aspirations. Miss Sutherland remembers these powerful word from her father who is also a businessman “The quality of your mind determines the quality of your life” stay focused.

HOW OPRAH SAVED MY LIFE

“Books were my pass to personal freedom. I learned to read at age three, and soon discovered there was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi”  Oprah Winfrey

Oprah WInfrey 

I heard those words and it changed my life, never was I the type to pick up a book for anything; I have always used television to explore the world. My mother often told stories of how I was the prefect baby; as the stories would go; she would sit me on the couch in front of the television; do her daily house cleaning and, I would not move or make a sound; oh yes I was a saint! Soon it became my fixation as the years went by; sadly I have no memory of ever being read a book, told a bedtime story, or shown the alphabets outside of school. Some may think I am crazy for saying this, but I would go as far as pretending; television characters were my friends and family members. As a result I isolated myself from other kids in my community; and became lost in my own world. To be honest I don’t remember ever having a fixed bed time, so I would fall asleep and wake up to television; as a result I still need the sound of a television to put me to sleep at night.   

I do remember being introduced to good books in high school like; To kill a Mocking Bird, A raisin In the Sun, Merchants of Venice among others, but while sitting in class all I could think to myself was; where could I get my hands on the movie; by this time reading was defiantly not my thing. After high school I decided to follow my never ending urge to be on television; so I headed off to broadcasting school with one thing in mind which; I eventually accomplished; hosting on the popular television show Fiwi Choice Top Ten Charts, while developing my production skills behind the camera. Thinking back to my first audition; five years ago I remember saying to the interviewers, television is my best friend; they all though that; that was truly sad, but it was my truth; not realizing how surreal that statement was; but no one had a clue of what I had been thought in life; for me just standing in that audition was short of a miracle; all they saw was the cute smile I learn from watching television for years; who knew I had become a stellar actress in my own reality show of life.

“One day I will rule the world through television” Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes; creator of the television series; Grey’s Anatomy, and recently Sandal blew my mind while watching her exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey; were she told Oprah she use to say; one day I’ll rule the world through television; which was ironic to me, only because at the tender age of thirteen; I stood in front of my bathroom mirror said the very same words to myself. At that moment felt like I had one of Oprah’s ah ha moments; it took me back to a time when; all I could think about was being creative, but something was holding me back; from my true calling; I lacked the writing skills, to express myself effectively; so others could understand my vision; hence TheRoad Show Ja Blogger became self-therapy; as I intend to write until I possess the skills to write an article for such news editorials as the Huffington Post, a book or even a feature film one day.

“When you have something to do; life will not allow you to move on until you do it” Iyanla Vanzant

Iyanla Vanzant

I have felt trapped in my mind for a long time; coming alive only; on stage or in front of the camera; trapped because I was set in my ways and one directional using television as my great escape; while living in my own imaginary world not showing the true beauty of my personality. I was holding my own self back from achieving greatness; and something had to give; so I opened a book and left Jamaica for the first time in my life, I picked up a pen and decided to write whatever's on my mind without the fear of ridicule of my spelling or grammar; I chose to face my own fears and become.  Once I took that step the gates of creativity opened wide, I feel like a butterfly breaking from the caterpillars cocoon for the first time ready to fly away, leading me to the creation of my own television Show; Road Show Ja, Road Show Ja radio and starting The Roadshowja Blogger, this is just a tip of the iceberg for me, i still enjoy watching television; but no longer to escape, I choose to be in the presence of my wonderful self now a days, and watch a lot of Super Soul Sunday on OWN. Lookout Jamaica I’m coming; so allow me to reintroduce myself; my name is Debbie Debz and #igotmyeyeonyou.

Writen by: Debbie Debz

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