For Nyola, the sky is the limit

Nyola Joseph is a go-getter. She’s currently pursuing her studies in Bio Medical Sciences at the University of the Southern Caribbean but has also been successfully managing her own make-up artistry business and brand too. At just 20, she’s set her ambitions high and hopes to encourage young women to do the same.

“I’m the last of five kids and some time before I was born, my older brother, who’s doing well as co-managing director of our family business, had a terrible accident. At the time, there was internal trauma and brain injury but due to the nature our health system at that time, there weren't many neurosurgeons here to treat his case.

"Thankfully, my dad was able to get him to the US for a second opinion and they successfully treated his case. I think that story inspired me to want to become a doctor and more so, a neurosurgeon and if not, a neo-natal specialist,” she told WMN.

“I know many people do take the chance to study here and then leave, or they may study abroad and not return but I genuinely want to practice here and medically assist people just as my brother needed at that time. That way, I’m helping to make our country stronger in my own way.”

Aside from her studies, Joseph also started her own company, NYMKJ Ltd, through which she sees clients as a make-up artist (MUA) and is also able to offer training in skin care and the artform too. She said what sets her apart as a MUA is her approach.

"I’ve always been really good with applying make-up that mimics my client’s natural skin. I believe that make-up should accentuate good skin and good skin comes from having a good regimen to begin with, and I take the time to teach my students and clients how to have better skin. Proper skin takes so much better to make up too!”

Her interest in being a MUA started while she was still in school at Holy Faith Convent, Penal. One July-August vacation, her father suggested that she make use of her time to learn a new skill and she chose makeup artistry.

“My parents and family have always instilled really amazing values in us and this was where my dad saw it as an opportunity to instil responsibility,” she said.

"Business has always been a part of our family as my father was part of a company with his siblings before he embarked in creating his own company in construction,” she explained.

So, she signed on for a course with Takida Joseph, at her studio space on Ariapita Avenue and from then she was hooked. She has since worked with several local companies and more recently partnered with a New York-based MUA on what was to be a Caribbean carnival tour.

“We started here in TT with the intention of touring all the major Caribbean carnivals and providing our make-up artistry to those participating across the islands until this crazy coronavirus popped up!” she noted.

“I really enjoy the dynamic of having clients come and sit in my chair; the energy is always a cool and refreshing one and we sit and have flowing conversations while I enhance their beauty,” she recalled.

Much has changed in the last few weeks with the covid19 lockdown, however.

“I am used to being up really early to start my day with studies or my 8 am lectures and finding ways to accommodate either clients into my day or to participate in volleyball or some fitness activity. I was very used to having full days and seeing people – I love the outdoors and love being busy and out,” she explained.

Luckily for Joseph, she’s able to use the time to connect and share her craft on Instagram Live or through webinars that teach people make-up artistry – something her brand has recently pivoted to more.

She does hope to be able to speak to secondary school students in the future and inspire them to use their time productively in their adolescent years, when things return to "normal."

“A message that I would very much like to share with young people is that you’re never too young to start chasing your dreams, the sky's the limit,” she said.

You can find Nyola on Instagram @nymkjthemua.