Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Compass Media’s CayWoman special publication.
It was a landmark year for Donna Myrie. In 1983, at just 22 years old, she founded Le Classique, a shoe and leather boutique that would become a Caymanian institution.
One of her first customers was Anna Rose Washburn, who opened Markson’s Furniture & Windows that same year.
“During my very first week of opening Le Classique, she purchased a Land wallet and to this day, 43 years later, she still is using it,” Donna recalls.
That early support meant more than just a sale.
“It was a gesture of solidarity, one that I continue to appreciate,” she says. “Over the years, she has stood by my small business, and that loyalty reminds me of the strength of our Caymanian community – how we uplift one another and create legacies together.”
That legacy spans generations of women who have grown with Le Classique, including Yenny Rego, who began working at the store at age 17.
Years later, her daughter Asia joined the boutique, with her youngest daughter India recently taking up a part-time position.
“These stories – Anna Rose’s wallet, Yenny’s daughters – are reminders that business is never just about transactions,” says Donna. “It’s about relationships, mentorship, and legacy. It’s about creating spaces where young Caymanian women can grow and thrive.”
Resilience and persistence
Resilience, persistence, and creativity have been the cornerstones of Donna’s career.
A ninth-generation Caymanian, she faced significant challenges starting out, particularly in securing financing.
Strong relationships from her early years working at Washington International (now Butterfield) helped her succeed, but family support was crucial, with her father co-signing her first loan.
“His belief in me gave me the courage to take that leap, and it transformed a dream into reality,” she says.
It was a demanding time as Donna was balancing entrepreneurship with being a single mom, raising her son Giovanni while building her business.
“For me, motherhood and entrepreneurship were never separate paths – they were intertwined,” she says. “Giovanni gave me purpose, grounding, and joy, even in the busiest seasons of my career. Raising him has been the highlight of my life.”
Pageant queen
Winning the title of Miss Cayman Islands in 1981 at age 19 was a defining moment.
“Miss Cayman gave me the confidence to step into the public eye, while my retail roots gave me the tools to build a lasting business,” she says. “Together, they shaped not just my career path but my sense of purpose.”
She recalls travelling to purchase her wardrobe for the Miss Cayman Islands pageant.
“I didn’t buy an evening gown, a swimsuit or casual wear – instead, I came home with 15 pairs of shoes,” she says. “That memory is one I hold dear and often share, because it perfectly captures the passion that inspired me to choose this particular line of business.”
Retail roots
Donna’s retail roots began in the family business; a ladies clothing store called The People’s Boutique.
“That early introduction to retail taught me discipline, customer care, and the importance of presentation – lessons that became the foundation of my career,” she says. “When the opportunity came to create something of my own, shoes and leather goods felt like the natural path.”
At the time, a lack of shoe stores offering fashionable, quality leather shoes on-island presented a business opportunity.
“I saw that gap and felt compelled to fill it, guided by my entrepreneurial spirit and love for fashion.”
Path to success
Nicknamed the ‘Queen of Leather,’ Donna transformed her lifelong passion for shoes and leather goods into a business that has thrived for more than four decades.
At its peak, the business operated four stores, employing 11 full- and part-time staff, including long-serving employees who helped shape the company’s growth.
Donna faced countless hurdles in her path to success, particularly during her years of expansion when she purchased an historic building on Mary Street.
There, she launched a new venture, The Rooftop Bar, with her retail store below. She renovated and enhanced the building – facing daunting bureaucratic red tape and delays – but despite striving tirelessly to make the businesses thrive, the location worked against her.
She eventually downsized and reestablished Le Classique on the Seven Mile strip. The boutique now operates from a single location at The Strand; a smaller space Donna manages with a part-time employee.
“Through that journey, I’ve learned that bigger is not always better,” she says. “What matters most is staying in the game. I call it ‘sticktutitive’ – the ability to stick with it, believe in it, and make it work.”
Despite the challenges, her passion remains.
“I still genuinely enjoy the store: the buying, designing, merchandising, and especially interacting with customers,” she says. “The joy of retail remains very present in my life.”
Carnival queen
Donna has also played a pivotal role in shaping Cayman’s cultural landscape as a leader of Cayman Carnival Batabano.
She introduced J’ouvert, Junior Batabano, and secured West Bay Road, alongside Seven Mile Beach, as the official parade route.
Her first carnival experience in Trinidad was transformative, highlighting the power of carnival as cultural expression and community spirit. Her long-time friendship with the legendary carnival musician Byron Lee also inspired her.
“Batabano is very close to my heart,” she says. “It is more than an event – it’s a living celebration of Caymanian identity, resilience, and joy, and I am honoured to have played a role in its evolution.”
Homegrown inspiration
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Donna draws inspiration from such pioneering Caymanian women as Annie Huldah Bodden, the first female lawyer and parliamentarian in Cayman, and the first woman awarded an OBE.
“Her trailblazing spirit inspires me deeply, because like her, I have always believed in breaking barriers and creating new paths,” she says.
Her father Edward Myrie, a seaman by trade who later worked as an engineer, butcher, contractor, developer, and businessman, is another role model.
“His resilience, versatility, and determination taught me the value of hard work and adaptability,” she says.
Looking ahead
Beyond retail and carnival, Donna enjoys spending time at the beach and finds joy in quiet moments sitting on her patio and listening to the ocean.
Cooking is another passion. “The kitchen has always been a place of creativity and comfort. I love experimenting with flavours and preparing meals that bring family and friends together – it’s another way of celebrating life,” she says.
Though she plans to slow down and travel, her entrepreneurial spirit continues to soar. She is now developing her own Cayman-inspired leather line, blending craftsmanship with cultural identity.
“For me, the future is about continuing to celebrate Le Classique while embracing new adventures,” she says.
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