Entrepreneur Praises the Expertise of the SRC

Chief Executive Officer at Tayna’s Body Care, Tanya Powell Edwards, is praising the Scientific Research Council (SRC) for the expertise provided in the development of her personal care products.

She tells JIS News that she has received training from the Agency in how to make natural bar soaps and body washes.

Mrs. Powell Edwards notes that the SRC has been a constant help, while noting that the Agency has provided her with the chance to attend its annual Opportunity Quest to showcase her products.

There she was able to share her success story with potential entrepreneurs, while at the same time telling of her experiences of having utilised the services of the Council to create her brand of products.

“SRC has a lot more than we are utilising… (it is) a gem that more people need to know about,” she says.

A part of the SRC mandate is to promote business development through their provisional scientific solutions.

Presently, the SRC undertakes group training in soap, body wash and shampoo making.

The Agency also does product testing, using its accredited lab, operating at international quality standards. In addition, the SRC creates linkages, connecting entrepreneurs with the producers of raw materials.

They also assist with packaging of the products; connecting the entrepreneur to financial institutions to assist with funding or grant funding, as well as connecting them with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) to help with the support to take the product to market.

The SRC also provides market information through market research that they conduct, while working with the Jamaica Promotions Agency (JAMPRO) to guide the entrepreneur towards the export market.

Sharing her journey in becoming an entrepreneur, Mrs. Powell Edwards tells JIS News that she would often dream about developing her own brand of soaps.

“Inspiration can come from anywhere. I used to go into the supermarket and in trying to get the most for my buck, I would choose the cheapest soaps, which were not always the best, so I would always say one of these days, I am going to learn to make soaps,” she states.

She notes that over time she made her own deodorant, after which she transitioned into making soaps.

Mrs. Powell Edwards explains that she wanted to share her product with others, and that is what led her to seek the services of the SRC.

Currently, Tayna’s Body Care line predominantly consists of natural bar soaps which, she says, have a great lather and also offer a great aroma.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) notes further that the aroma is a great stimulus in the morning and is also beneficial in reducing tension at nights.

“I am into not just having a bath, but enjoying the feeling that you get along with that, which is relaxing or reviving, depending on what you are looking for,” Mrs. Powell Edwards states.
Bentonite Clay and activated charcoal are some of the ingredients that she says can be found in some of her products.

She explains that activated charcoal is something that is used in the hospitals in cases where someone ingests poison, as it binds to the poison and allows the person to eliminate it from the body.

The CEO further adds that it does the same for the skin. “If you have large pores, it is said to reduce those pores, and it also pulls some of the oil from oily skin,” Mrs. Powell Edwards states.

Some of her other products include body oils such as: Coconut mix with lavender, Jamaican Ginger Oil with lemon grass and Orange Ginger Body and Massage Oil.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Powell Edwards says that even though her products were not created to treat a specific medical condition such as eczema, persons suffering from the condition have reported receiving benefits after using the soaps.

“So I literally have persons depending on me to ensure that I get them their turmeric soap, or their activated charcoal or any of the other soaps that I do,” she says.

Mrs. Powell Edwards says that the natural care business is something Jamaicans should definitely consider and that the recently held SRC Opportunity Quest has highlighted for her the opportunities that exist in the Jamaican natural personal care products market, as well as in the export market.

“I feel like I should have known about this 20 years ago, as I would have been far ahead. Things such as lemon grass and ginger personal care products are unique to Jamaica, and the rest of the world wants it,” she states.

The entrepreneur, who has been in business for two and a half years, plans to expand sometime in the future. She notes that, while it is a family business, she does have plans to hire persons to assist in production.

Mrs. Powell Edwards says in the future she hopes to expand her company into the export market.

She also notes that from her discussions with persons in the Diaspora, “there are Jamaicans across the globe who want things that are made in Jamaica, and the dream is to be one of those persons who supply their needs.”

Products from the line can be found at the Chesterville Pharmacy in the Winchester Business Centre and Earth Elements in Kingston; Tates Pharmacy in May Pen, Clarendon; Three Angels Pharmacy in Manchester; and Natures in St. Jago Shopping Centre, St. Catherine. In addition, the entrepreneur does special orders.

Customers can also call the proprietor at 796-7175 for products.