A chemical-free beauty products firm started by a young woman is to expand its range after more than a year in business.

Kayuntae Ming said she was inspired to found His N Hers Hair & Beauty Boutique in November 2017 in an attempt to avoid potentially harmful ingredients after an aunt died of cancer.

The 20-year-old said she wanted to avoid chemicals present in many products that could “trigger cancer”.

Ms Ming said: “I began researching and then I realised I can make my own products.”

She spent a month refining and hand-making beauty aids and got a good reception from family and friends who tried them out and decided to start her business. Ms Ming said: “My family liked them, my friends liked them. I received a lot of positive feedback.”

She added the reaction after a public launch convinced her the business had legs.

Ms Ming said: “It’s definitely really rewarding to know that people are enjoying the quality of my products.”

But she admitted: “From the time that I started, I didn’t actually think that I would be where I am today.”

Ms Ming said running the business has exposed her to new opportunities.

She added: “I didn’t see myself getting this much exposure and as much support as I have received.

“It’s been a really happy and enlightening experience.

“It’s definitely a learning process. I am learning a lot. I am meeting a lot of new people that help me along the way.”

She said she planned to boost her range of facial products, body scrubs and soaps to add to bestsellers Shea Lemon N’ Honey Moisturiser, Coffee Infused Hair & Body Butter, Tea Tree N’ Peppermint Hair and Beard Oil, Cedarwood N’ Peppermint Hair & Beard Oil, Cinnamon N’ Vanilla Body Butter and her Citrus N’ Honey lip balm.

Ms Ming added: “I am looking at bringing some more skin products. A lot of people have been giving me requests for skin products.”

Ms Ming, a nursing assistant student at Bermuda College, said she was taking things slowly because of educational commitments, but that she hoped to introduce some new products in the summer. She added: “I am hoping that once I finish my course, I can just focus all my attention on my business.”

Ms Ming said it was tough to juggle the business, her course and other commitments — but that she was determined to make a success of His N Hers.

She added: “On the nights that I don’t have school, I will make products for the next day to be delivered.”

Ms Ming said she also hoped to move from a home-based business to a store and production centre and involve family members as she planned to continue her studies on London next year.

She added: “I hope to have my own store. I hope to have my family more involved in my business. I want to try to do a family-oriented business.

“I want to have someone who will oversee my business while I’m away.”

Ms Ming said she had not decided if wanted a degree in business or to continue nursing studies, but that she was determined to keep the business going.

Ms Ming added: “I can definitely see that if I do this full time then I can make more money.”

The former CedarBridge Academy pupil said a start-up business was a viable option for young people, especially if they found it hard to get a job.

She added: “Just go for it. Whatever ideas that people may have, just put it out there and let everyone know what they may have in mind.”

Ms Ming said: “There are opportunities everywhere.”

She added that she had set up at her first vendor’s market for exposure.

But she said: “I ended up being in the Vend 2 Win competition and it worked out in my favour”.

Ms Ming was one five young entrepreneurs in the competition who won the opportunity to showcase their products on the international market in New York last year.

Her products will be available at Curve Bermuda Valentine’s Market on February 9 in Mangrove Bay and can also be seen on Instagram and Facebook.