Natasha started Billybeauty MKTG with the help of her husband, Bill Dennis, in August of 2020. The couple is from Tseshaht & Ahousaht First Nations, respectively. The couple currently operate the business with help from their oldest son, Vanderlyn Dennis.
We are a small custom print shop located out of our own home. Starting this business was sort of a serendipity for us. With equipment passed down from my father Aaron Angeli, it rekindled the creative side of me & when started posting my creations online it sort of took off like wildfire, I didn’t hesitate one bit to apply for a business license and see where I could take this (WHEW! Lots to learn about starting a business from scratch!)
We started out with second-hand equipment, about 10 T-shirts in our inventory and our first roll of vinyl (which turned out to be the completely wrong kind in hindsight) but looking back to where we started & looking at where we are now, I can’t thank NEDC enough for the support they provide for our people. So far, we have worked with six different nations, two schools, a great amount of businesses and organizations locally and up & down Vancouver Island. Custom orders have not slowed since we started, and moving some business to Etsy gave us the ability to ship our creations worldwide & get our designs out there.
The best part about all of this is our return customer base. We feel very proud of the quality of work we have earned over time & the amount of love and support we receive from our community & different people all around the world who have discovered us. Having our own designs is one thing. Having people trust us with their own design is another.
I will always be extremely grateful for each and every person who has supported us through this journey. It has not been easy but that is what makes it great! I am endlessly grateful for my husband’s patience through all of this. He has been my rock through it all and I can’t thank him enough!
If it feels right, if it’s a dream, GO FOR IT. DON’T WAIT. There will never be a “right time” so start NOW because life is too short and you can do so much more! However keep in mind, it will not be easy. But one thing at a time, one day at a time and you can get pasT any hurdles and overcome any obstacles. The support is out there if you just start looking and YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO.
Natasha Dennis, founder of Billybeauty
Find out how our financing programs can help you
NEDC offers many different loan and contribution programs with varying eligibility. Your Business Development Officer is here to help create the perfect package for you.
Other Success Stories
Bringing Joy and Opportunity to North Island Communities – Michelle Davis
Recreation & Entertainment | Sayward, BC
Born and raised in Campbell River and deeply connected to coastal and Indigenous communities, Michelle balances her role as Community Wellness Manager for …
From Tradition to Runway – Ay Lelum, The Good House of Design
Arts & Culture | Nanaimo, BC
Built on a powerful family legacy, this Coast Salish fashion business traces its roots back to the late1980s, when the founders’ parents launched a …
Building Aerospace Success: Dorian Cota
Areospace & Aviation | Parksville, BC
Dorian Cota, founder and president of COTA Aviation, launched the company in 2012 with a clear vision: build a high-performance aviation business and help …
Building Holistic Reproductive Care Rooted in Community – Andrea Sanders, Lagoon Prenatal
Holistic Reproductive Health Services | Victoria, BC
Andrea Sanders is the founder of Lagoon Prenatal, a holistic health and wellness practice that supports women across all stages of reproductive health, …