Not many people under the age of 30 can say that they have been in the retail industry for almost a decade, but it definitely rings true for Lasheika Burgess, who owns Jazzy boutique in the Washington Mall. She says she did not intend to work in the store, which was owned by her mother, Deborah Hill, for several years.

While she attended the International Institute of Fine Arts, Ms Burgess worked at a bank during her holidays.

It was then that she decided that a desk job was not for her. After having a conversation with her mom about her joining the business, the 28-year-old says it was then that she realised that she had a passion for fashion.

“At that time I felt that Jazzy needed some attention and I wanted to change some things so I went with my mother on a buying trip,” she tells The Royal Gazette.

“It was very intimidating for me at first, but it became easier as time went on.”

A savvy dresser herself, Ms Burgess acknowledges that she has always had an eye for fashion.

After all, her mother had already owned Jeans and Things and Jeans Plus by the time Ms Burgess reached her late teens.

Now catering to a clientele ranging from teens to “however youthful you want to be”, Jazzy boutique caters to just about every female’s taste. In recent months, the store expanded, enabling Ms Burgess to sell an array of handbags, shoes, boots and accessories in every hue.

“It all happened so fast,” Ms Burgess says as she reflects on the last few months. “The business next door moved out and we jumped at the opportunity to obtain the space.

“As soon as it became available to us, I visualised everything I wanted. I wanted to offer items that kept up with the latest fashion trends.”

She continues: “I always wanted to sell shoes, but I wanted to sell a moderately priced shoe to my clientele...something that was of good quality. The shoes came first and then the accessories.”

Ms Burgess says one of the reasons she branched into accessories is because she immediately recognised that a void had to be filled in light of the changes experienced by other large department stores.

“I wanted to close that gap,” she explains.

On October 1, she officially opened the store’s new expansion and Ms Burgess says it has been received quite well: “It’s obviously what everyone wanted.”

Jazzy also offers junior plus sizes ranging from 1X to 3X. Ladies looking for that special holiday outfit will not be disappointed as the boutique will have a wide range of items so you can dress completely from head to toe.

“We will even have a special section of rhinestone accessories along with different types of accessories suitable for the holiday season,” Ms Burgess says.

When asked what she thinks is the secret to her store’s success, she responds: “The passion and devotion that we have put into Jazzy.

“We are keen on giving good service and I always feel good about the items I am selecting for the store.”

And can Ms Burgess imagine herself doing anything else?

“No,” she emphatically answers with a smile.