By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Encouraging ambitious Bahamians to pursue their dreams and become successful is a commitment of the government, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday. At the launch in Grand Bahama of a new Bahamian beauty product Mr Christie commended its creator, Freeport resident Kaylisa Beneby, for taking a major step in such a highly competitive industry.

Ms Beneby’s product, Flawless Skin and Body, has received FDA approval and she intends to sell it aboard. “She has made the effort to take her product and have it approved and tested, and she is satisfied that ... the product is backed up by scientific testing,” Mr Christie said.

“We are here for the launch of a product or products that are intended to serve women in the best possible way. Any idea by any Bahamian that is intended for developing a business for that person is a great idea to me. Our country, like every other country, requires small business persons taking the first step.”

“I want to encourage you because you have a bold and imaginative step. You are taking on a market that really is unknown in terms of what you have to do to make it work and it is a difficult one,” he said. Mr Christie said that Flawless contains Bahamian-grown products as part of the ingredients.

The Prime Minister said that Bahamians have proven themselves to be best in the world in sports, athletics, medicine, art, the educational field and acting. He noted that there will be a time when artistic geniuses of junkanoo will use their designing ability to create and transfer masterpieces from crepe paper and cardboard to bikinis and evening gowns.

“There is actually no doubt as you look at some of the creations, and see some of the things designed and created for costumes, you know there is genius represented in it. And once you have that kind of ability you know the difficulty is being able to transfer those ideas and the drawing and place it on some woman that makes it look good,” he said. “It needs encouragement and stimulation because we have the geniuses here.

“We produced the top athletes in the world, we produced heart and neurosurgeons, the best professors around the world, the top bankers around the world. We produced Sidney Poitier and Broadway stars, such as Bert Williams, who was the first man of colour to be honoured on Broadway – and he is a Bahamian,” Mr Christie recalled.

The Prime Minister said Bahamians have been achieving great things throughout the ages up until today. “We are here to bear acclamation that a Bahamian woman has decided that she will make a major effort to introduce a product here in the Bahamas that she intends to sell here, but also abroad.”

Ms Beneby said that her products work and make people feel better about themselves. She thanked her family and friends for their support. “I am happy to have been able to create a product that works,” she said. “I have seen the results and it has inspired me to continue.”

Also attending the launch were Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville and Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe.