The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

FOR BAHAMIAN woman Corey Cartwright, the road to becoming a small business owner has so far been a rewarding experience.

Who would have thought the inspiration for her “Polish Me Pretty” bath and body skincare line came after reading a blog posted via MSN? The blog post warned people of the dangers behind purchasing “store bought” bath and body products; from the soaps, shampoos, washing powder and cleaning products.

“This article talked about how all of these products are linked to a lot of diseases. Things like cancer, low oestrogen, and low testosterone. In some store bought soaps, there are chemicals that cause cancer. They are made with plasterers (a chemical) that is use to also make plastic,” said Corey.

Frightened by the revelation, Corey said the news “scared the crap out of her” leading her to find a way to create more natural remedies.

“I found a class that taught me how to make all natural soaps and body wash. I then took additional classes internationally to learn how to do much more. Polish Me Pretty was born Sept 29, 2017 based on a dream to make a better, healthier Bahamas,” said Corey.

The home-based business now offers various soaps, body wash, bath salts, bath bombs, shower melts, massage oils, perfumed body oils, beard oils, lotion, body butter, candles, wax melts, lip balms, colour lipsticks, body scrubs and face masks. For the babies, Polish Me Pretty offers baby powder, ointment, soap, body wash, baby lotion and baby oil.

Corey remembers a client, Ruthann, whom she shared a most memorable experience with. As Ruthann lives with a nerve disorder, preparing each product for her was extremely touching.

“From the time before she was diagnosed, when ever she took a bath she expressed it left a burning sensation on her skin for a while. After using PMP Turmeric and Soursop soap as well as our Bedtime Pleasure soap, she has not experienced that burning/tingling sensation. She has been a client of mine since November 2017,” said Corey.

She remembers hosting a pop-up shop some time ago, saying cusotmers were absolutely amazed by the scent of the products.

“Our usual response is ‘Wow, it smells like something to eat.’ Usually we have a scrub experience where people are able to test a scrub of the day and see how well it works for them,” said Corey.

She believes Polish Me Pretty will go far - one day becoming a one-stop shop for all things natural, offering services as well.

“I am currently taking a course after which I will be able to offer facials using PMP products along with waxing and other things. Polish me Pretty will take care of your body inside and out. Also, Polish Me Pretty is actually a play on words. When you think of polish you think of nails but in actuality it’s more like polishing your body inside and out,” said Corey.

An all around artist, Corey is also known to use her talents in areas such as a nail technician, eyebrow specialist, and crochet designer.

“The best thing about being an entrepreneur is setting my own schedule. Currently I still have a 9 to 5 job but at the end of the day, my work is on my terms. From an early age I was never okay with the 9 to 5 only because I wasn’t okay with being told when to work, when to eat and when and for how long I can take a vacation. With my own business I can do exactly what I want when I want,” she told Tribune Woman.

She encouraged readers to visit Polish Me Pretty at The Jazzings Beauty Salon, follow on Facebook at pmp242, Instagram at pmp_242 or whatsapp at 804-8960 for more information.

“For the remainder of the year we plan to do as many pop up shops as we can. We are also about to launch our Christmas packages for those early shoppers,” said Corey.