Many children fantasise about being a superhero, a mermaid or some other mythical creature.

This summer teenager Zea Swainson brought the dream alive for hundreds of children at Harbour Nights in Hamilton through her face and body-paint business Paintz Inc (Instagram under @facepaintzbyz).

“The most popular requests were Spiderman, especially with the new movie coming out,” the 17-year-old said. “A lot of children also wanted butterfly or unicorn designs. The little girls really like the glitter.”

However, for as many Spidermans or butterflies as she churns out, she tries to make each one look a little different.

Her favourite part of the work is seeing a child’s reaction when they see the finished design for the first time.

“Sometimes the parents react, too,” she said. They remark at how quickly the work is done. “That is always nice to hear.”

She started offering henna art also, to pull in older clients.

“Sometimes adults ask for face paint,” she said. “That’s all right. I love face paint, too.”

Tourists chat with her and offer encouragement. Over and over she hears them say: “You’re young to be running a business!”

Harbour Nights ended last month.

“It was great to put myself out there and get to know people,” Zea said.

She launched Paintz five months ago, but started doing face painting in 2019 at school sports days.

“I wanted to drum up school spirit,” she said. “There was no music at sports days. I go to a Christian school and they are very strict. There was only a bit of commentary.”

So, after seeking permission from her principal, she started doing designs at school events in team colours on students’ hands or faces.

The art of face painting came naturally to her because she has always loved art.

“I used to win a lot of school art competitions,” she said.

Her friends were impressed by her work and started recruiting her for their birthday parties and events.

“My friends were saying I was good and I needed to take things to the next level,” she said.

Even then, she was making a profit, but was hesitant about taking it any further.

“I was not sure if I really wanted to go there,” she said. “I was doubting myself. I talked to a small-business owner and she told me to just do it. I got sick and tired of my own hesitation.”

Her cousin suggested she take part in a vendor market earlier this year.

“It was a free event but I thought it would be a good way to practice and get myself out there,” she said.

The vendor showcase demonstrated that there was definitely a market for face painting.

“Kids love it,” she said. “There is only one other face painter on the island and she is very busy.”

She also realised that she loved the work.

Before launching, she researched to find safe and hypoallergenic face paint.

“A lot of little children have very sensitive skin,” she said. “I know I do.”

She ordered paint, brushes and sponges off of Amazon, finding the pickings in Bermuda to be slim.

Her mother, Zinique James, helps her manage the business. Zea said her mother is very fussy about cleanliness.

They have strict hygiene procedures such as changing gloves often, and never touching the child with their bare hands.

To learn more about entrepreneurship, Zea took part in the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation’s student entrepreneurship programme this summer.

“I absolutely loved it,” she said. “They really challenged us in our businesses and really pushed us to get out there. They helped us with advertising and marketing, which was really good. If I need help or if I have questions, they’re always there. They definitely prepare us.”

As part of the eight-week programme, students competed to see whose business could earn the most. Zea won second place, after earning $750.

This summer she definitely felt herself progressing with both her face painting and business skills.

Her dream is to become an architect. What she does not channel back into her business goes into her college savings.

• For more information see her on Instagram under @facepaintzbyz