The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

She may have started out small in a small country, but Indira Weech has seen her skin care products make an impact far beyond these Bahamian shores after being highlighted on ABC's "Good Morning America".

The self-starter is also proud to say that her company, bahamaSpa, has been featured in several international publications.

In recent years, Indira has built the bahamaSpa brand around the idea of luxurious "bath and body gifts from paradise."

It is important to her that all her products, which include soaps, lotions and scrubs, are non-toxic and the packaging - inspired by the beauty of the Bahamas - is biodegradable.

Among the most popular of her skin care items are the Sea Salt Scrub, an exfoliating scrub and soap in one long-lasting fragrant bar, and the Ocean Bath bars that include natural exfoliating seeds, sea salt and coconut oils.

"We have been fortunate to have many very well-known people use our products. The former host of ABC's 'Good Morning America' Diane Sawyer featured our products on her show where she spoke about how much she loved the products and that our soap was her absolute favourite. This was an incredible gift as it caused an avalanche of calls from all over the United States and Canada," said Indira.

The famous American inspirational speaker Iyanla Vanzant, host of the "Fix My Life" on OWN, also let it be known that she really enjoys the bahamaSpa products. Additionally, the bath and body line was used in the day spa at Four Seasons and sold in retail stores at the resort's property in Great Exuma for several years.

"I never stop learning and growing, enrolling in many courses and researching our ingredients, changing formulas to ensure that we are current," said Indira.

"We also rebranded and designed island inspired export packaging that reflects our desire to promote earth and skin-friendly products with emphasis on the healing power of sea salt and ocean water from the pristine waters and salt ponds of the Bahamas."

In her private life, Indira is very passionate about the environment. She also believes in eating healthy and using healing plants and herbs.

"I was introduced at a very early age to the world of skin care, cosmetics, fashion and beauty by my aunt who was kind enough to invite me to Paris in Summers starting at age 11. My parents are both creative and I grew up in a home with lovingly attended gardens, which I never dreamt would inspire my love of trees and interest in plants because as a child I was not aware of the influence it had on me," she said.

"Becoming an entrepreneur was natural for me as I could not imagine myself in a 9 to 5 job. I knew I had to carve a niche for myself where I could express all of my creativity. This business has afforded me the opportunity to show all my creativity, from formulating recipes and making products, to branding, packaging and marketing. I love what I get to do every day."

Starting out, Indira was fortunate enough to meet a soap maker who was passionate about the craft but had little time to invest in it. Indira instantly recognised that this simple idea of making natural soaps could be turned into something special.

"I began by changing anything that was not Bahamas or island-inspired. I chose tropical fragrances and changed the branding to incorporate my passion to protect the environment. I eliminated as much plastic as possible and chose simple packaging that was earth-friendly and biodegradable, but very attractive and special. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I absolutely love our country. I take the Bahamas with me wherever I go. I love nearly everything about us," she said.

"I have been fortunate to live in several countries and there is no place that like our paradise. It was an obvious choice to incorporate Bahamas into my brand. I want the world to know where bahamaSpa comes from."

Indira and her team are excited to share their products with festival-goers at Jollification this weekend. They can also be reached by e-mailing info@ThebahamaSpa.com or sending a WhatsApp message to 825-1900.