Entrepreneur Heeramani Patra, who likes to be known as Heera, was born in India and moved to St Lucia with her husband and two sons in August 2014.

Shortly after arriving on the island, Heera grew her passion for designing and applying temporary tattoos made from henna dye into a business called ‘Henna St Lucia’.

Heera’s body art proved to be popular and she recently expanded beyond her home studio to open an appointment-only kiosk inside the Baywalk Shopping Mall, Rodney Bay.

Yello chatted with Heera about her life in the Caribbean sun. She told us about her childhood in India, what she loves about henna, and how she hopes to develop her business in the future.

Tell us about your background / childhood.

I grew up in east India in a state called Orissa (currently known as Odisha) in Koraput District. I had a very beautiful childhood. My dad is a doctor and my mum a housewife. I did very well at school and studied for an MBA in finance and marketing.

I call myself a ‘spoon-fed baby’ because everything was taken care of for me and I was blessed.

After I got married, I left India because my husband was moving around for his work. We went to the US in 2009 and now St Lucia.

And henna is an important part of Indian culture?

Yes, but growing up I never thought of making henna my profession.

When I was young, we didn’t have any gadgets, so I used to help my mum with chores, or play and do crafts. I would knit, sew, crochet or embroider, and henna was one of my hobbies.

When we moved to America, I was looking for something to keep myself occupied, so someone suggested I become an assistant to a henna artist and that’s how I got started.

When did you start your business ‘Henna St Lucia‘?

I started it in 2014 but it was still a hobby. I officially registered the business earlier this year.

I was just experimenting in the beginning because St Lucian clients are totally different in terms of interests, expectations and styles. For instance, in India, henna is usually placed on hands and feet but in St Lucia people want it on their arms, back or legs, all over the body.

Henna is a business, but I also like to think about how it can be incorporated into people’s lives. It’s all a learning process but as a business person I like to try out different things.

I also design Indian outfits and adapt them for this climate. I have tailors in India who create them, and I sell them to St Lucians.

Have you faced any challenges with the business?

I want to offer henna to tourists, but it’s been difficult to persuade the tourism and business authorities because they see it as an Indian tradition rather than St Lucian.

So, it’s hard to convince them that even though it is Indian it is local as well, because St Lucia has had an Indian community for over two hundred years. It’s a skillful art, the tourists like it, and I think it will benefit the country.

Who are your clients?

My clients are versatile. I get people who just want a small henna design, maybe they have a dress with a bit that is see through, and they want the design to show underneath the fabric.

I’ve used henna to cover unwanted marks like an operation scar, moles or stretch marks.

Some people also want henna as something different at their birthday or staff party, a workshop or entertainment event. It’s very popular during Carnival which is when I’m quite busy.

I’m open to handling all types of clients and I get a lot of repeat customers. I’m a friendly person and I like talking to people, so I always say that people come to me as a client, but they leave as a friend.

Do you make up the henna ink?

I buy ready-made non-toxic inks and I make up some inks which are organic and don’t contain any chemicals.

One of my most popular products is the non-toxic ink because it’s more colourful and bold than traditional henna which has an orange / burgundy colour. I also have white henna, jagua henna and glow in the dark henna, but these are only available with an appointment.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Sometimes people come with an idea of what they want, but most of my clients don’t know which design to choose, so then we’ll just browse through Google or some of my old henna pictures.

I also talk to the customer and find out exactly what they like, such as flowers, stars or tribal designs, and then I create a design from what they tell me.

The henna lasts about one to two weeks and it’s not painful to apply at all. I also do allergy patch testing.

What are your plans for the business?

I want henna to be part of every happy occasion.

When you have a birthday party and you think of cake and sweets, I want you to think of henna too. If you’re having a photoshoot, I want you to think about henna body art. When a tourist comes to St Lucia, I want them to think their holiday is not complete without getting henna.

How do you balance running your business and family life?

When I work from home it’s easier because the children are occupied while I work with a client. I have two sons aged nine and seven and they’re wonderful. My little one follows me everywhere and is like my shadow.

My husband is very supportive. In most Indian families, women stay at home and husbands are strict, but in my case, my husband lets me have my freedom and that’s very important because it allows me to work, care for my family and grow the business.

What do you love about St Lucia?

I like the people. They are friendly, and they take time to listen. They like to try different things and they ask me a lot of questions about Indian culture. The Indian people who’ve lived here for years have made a good impression and they’re respected.

What parts of the island do you like to visit?

My husband and I do a lot of staycations at different resorts. We try to choose hotels where the children will be kept busy because if they’re having fun then we’re all happy.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?

Nothing happens in one day so just start with what you love, and don’t forget your family and friends! Don’t restrict yourself. Start slowly and you’ll get there.

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Does a temporary henna tattoo sound like fun body art? Contact Henna St Lucia on Find Yello.

If you’d like an appointment, Heera can also be reached via 1 758 384 6368 and on Facebook and Instagram.