From popcorn to the latest clothes fashions — you name it, the chances are Demeka Tacklyn does it.

For the budding young entrepreneur, who has been running her own popcorn business called Demeka's Popcorn for several years, has just opened her latest venture, a men's and ladies' clothing store at 29 Princess Street.

Ms Tacklyn's new shop, called High Voltage/Tiny T's Clothing Shop, stocks everything from jeans, tops, shirts, jackets, belts and shoes to purses, earrings and even dance DVDs.

She started out selling her special nutritional yeast popcorn to places such as MarketPlace, the Phoenix Stores and delicatessens in Hamilton, as well as other stores across the Island, but decided that she wanted to have a regular income and secure her future by setting up the boutique.

"I have been an entrepreneur for a long time selling popcorn," she said. "But I decided I wanted to live the good life and be my own boss. I thought that I needed to try to invest my money and run a shop as the owner. So I started from scratch and took a little bit of my money and set up another business, so I have something to fall back on."

During her short time running the store, Ms Tacklyn, who is also known as reggae artist Tiny T, has seen of ups and downs, but she has found her passion for and taste in fashion allied to her perseverance has seen her through the hard times and allowed her to enjoy the good ones.

"I try to do something different to bring in another income," she said. "I love fashion and beauty, so I said to myself 'Let's go into that business'."

The clothes shop, which was previously a plus-size boutique carrying conservative and dance hall style lines, caters for all needs from dining out and party-wear to more casual outfits, as well as a special deal on men's jeans of two for $100.

"We do a little bit of everything," said Ms Tacklyn, who sources most of her products from wholesale districts in New York.

"I think what makes my shop unique is that I stock some nice pieces, but also that you get the personal touch when it comes to customer service," she said.

"In fact, it is just like the name High Voltage — I am energetic and enthusiastic about everything I do and hopefully that comes across to the customer."

And her advice to any young Bermudian thinking about starting out in business on their own is to stick with it through the tough times and make the most of your opportunities.

"The best thing that I have learnt is that when you are going through hard times and you feel like you are at the bottom, hang on in there because the only way from there is up," she said. "If you do that, you will be successful."

High Voltage is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday to Saturday between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.

For more information, contact 504-4477 or e-mail tinyt@transact.bm