Fly Female Entrepreneur: Lois Reid-Hines

Lois Reid-Hines & daughter, Naomi

Juggling marriage, motherhood and entrepreneurship is no small feat but Jamaica’s own Lois Reid-Hines, the beauty behind Tropic Isle Living seems to have it all figured out. As the co-founder of a highly respected beauty & wellness brand and recipient of the 2012 Mirror Awards presented by Rolling Out and CVS, Lois’s schedule leaves very little room for “me time” but she manages to make it happen. The talented, multi-task maven and mother of two even carved out a few minutes to share her journey with In Her Shoes readers. Get up close and personal with the always lovely Lois Reid-Hines of Tropic Isle Living:

In Her Shoes: How old were you when you launched Tropic Isle Living with your husband? 

Lois: I was just 21 years of age and he was 26 years. We were young, ambitious and ready to take on the world!

In Her Shoes: Have you always had an interest in this industry? What was your first memory of beauty/hair care/wellness as a little girl? 

Lois: My first memory goes as far back as 7 years old. I have always been into fashion, beauty and hair so I would create and conceptualize styles and my sister Lorna would create them. We truly started young.

In Her Shoes: Where did you go to college and what was your major/minor? 

Lois: I attended Cheyney University (Pennsylvania) on a track scholarship as well as Lehman College in the Bronx as a Psychology major with a minor in Adult Degree Education (now known as Professional Studies).

In Her Shoes: What was your career journey like prior to launching Tropic Isle Living? 

Lois: I did it all! During college I held jobs at Rite Aid, Payless, Macy’s and Sun Dial. At Sun Dial I got my feet wet in the wellness industry working in the Herb Department.

I got some great experience at a trademark and patent law firm in the purchasing department then returned back to Sundial as the general manager. Following Sun Dial, I worked at Glorious Food, a high profile catering company, as an assistant.

Following Glorious Food, I began working at BBG Interior Design Firm (Executive Assistant to the owner) then migrated to Georgia where I worked at DCI Interior Design Firm as an Administrative Director. My road to entrepreneurship wasn’t a straight and easy path but I wouldn’t trade my journey for the world. I’ve been working full time with Tropic Isle Living for the past six years.

Lois Reid-Hines at the 2012 Mirror Mirror Awards

In Her Shoes: What’s your “secret” to balancing career, family and personal time? 

Lois: At least one hour of my day is dedicated to centering myself through meditation and a quiet moment. “I can have all the cake but only in pieces, one slice at a time.” I have my cake and eat it too!

Lois, husband Michael Hines & their children

In Her Shoes: What do you do in your spare time as a hobby when you’re not working and tending to family? 

Lois: I really enjoy reading and designing our home. My favorite book is “Light on the Path” by Mabel Collins. It was written for the personal use of those unfamiliar with Eastern wisdom.  Here is one of my favorite takeaways from the book:

“For within you is the light of the world — the only light that can be shed upon the Path. If you are unable to perceive it within you, it is useless to look for it elsewhere. It is beyond you; because when you reach it you have lost yourself. It is unattainable, because it for ever recedes. You will enter the light, but you will never touch the flame.”

In Her Shoes: Do you have a personal mantra? 

Lois: Yes, absolutely. It’s “be bold, be beautiful, be you.”

To learn more about Lois Reid-Hines and the Tropic Isle Living brand please visit www.tropicisleliving.com!