Essence Fiji celebrates 20 years of growth in business and also in empowering women to provide the best service in hospitality.

The achievement can also be likened to a wedding anniversary traditionally involves the color green, specifically, emerald green.

The same can be applied on the occasion of Essence of Fiji’s 20-year corporate anniversary.

Debra’s empowerment

Debra Sadranu, Director of Essence of Fiji, recognised that women in Fiji had the natural personalities for hospitality, so to marry this with an education in spa therapy, could only contribute to the rapidly developing tourism industry.

Her vision of empowering women began in the city of Lautoka in 1998, when she commenced with Spa Academy Fiji.

It was here that young students could acquire a qualification in beauty and spa therapy, and had guaranteed employment opportunities in Fiji’s leading hotels and resorts.

To facilitate workplace attachment and employment, Debra established Senikai Spas in 1999, which has become the longest operating, and largest, spa chain in the country.

When the cost of importing beauty products for the spas and for training became a challenge, the company took to researching and producing products locally, using readily available produce such as coconut and tropical extracts.

For the initial 16 years, the business focus was on growing existing brands in education, tourism and agriculture.

Expansion

However, in 2014 the portfolio expanded to include a transit centre where visitors, who were on early morning or late night flights, could use the venue for rejuvenating treatments before connecting their flights, boats, or other vehicles to their final destination.

The establishment of the Centre brought about the introduction of Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) certification which is considered one of the highest accolades for education in Beauty and Spa Therapy globally.

The CIDESCO affiliation puts Fiji on the international map for training and spa services.

The CIDESCO Congress, an annual event, will be hosted in Fiji for the first time in 2020.

The Centre also brought about revisiting earlier research which looked at the health benefits of Nama, organic sea grapes, which are a known food delicacy within the Pacific.

But virtually untouched in the world of spa treatments.

About the Emrald Green Nama

This interest has resulted in the 2018 launch of Namasé, a skin and health brand which revolves around hydration and organic food. Namasé will be further expanded to include more advanced treatments in the near future.

Nama harvesting and plans for farming in the Yasawa region will facilitate the supply of this unique organic mineral.

Essence of Fiji, despite the challenges, has enjoyed being given the green light through each stage of its development, with the support of local Government and other partners including BSP, Tourism Fiji, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Market Development Fund (MDF) and CIDESCO.

The emerald green Nama, which is the base product for the Namasé brand is key to Essence of Fiji’s economic, environmental and cultural sustainability plans.

It is fitting that the launch of this brand earlier this year coincides with the company’s 20th anniversary.

Ms Sadranu, after 20 years of her company’s existence, attributes its success to ‘’my amazing team of staff, some who have been with me throughout the entire journey, and their commitment to helping women realise their potential within the spa, tourism and agriculture sectors.

“My donor partners from the respective sectors of Government, DFAT, MDF, and CIDESCO; and the suppliers and clients who have supported me throughout the last 2 decades’.

“Graduates of the past 20 years came together in celebration of our 20 year milestone, to share their success stories which reflects the company’s impact on changing and empowering women’s lives.”

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj