Dermal Distributions has provided Esthetics scholarships to two students to study at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). The scholarship will cover application fees, tuition, uniform, books, tools, a Dermalogica product kit and mentorship throughout the program. The recipients are Dereka Bain and Chandira Wright.
With this scholarship, Dermal Distributions Chief Executive Officer and President, Sarah Beek, hopes to raise the quality of estheticians and massage therapists in The Bahamas.
“We have had a successful business within the skin care industry for many years and wanted to give back and help our fellow Bahamians. In time, we are hoping to elevate the level of skin therapists across The Bahamas. Locals and tourists experiencing skin therapy or massage therapy in The Bahamas should experience something that is the highest level - not only compared to the Caribbean, but globally,” said Ms. Beek.
Dermal Distributions is the exclusive distributor of Dermalogica, Bio-Therapeutic, Revitlash, Jane Iredale and Intrinsics in the Caribbean.
Sarah Beek - professional skin therapist for 19 years - will mentor the recipients throughout the program which will include additional training outside of the classroom. Dermal Distributions Chief Financial Officer, Raymond Simpson, expressed how significant the mentoring aspect of the scholarship is to the company. Mr. Simpson said while giving the students products and a scholarship are great, he believes the main focus is mentoring them so that they are prepared for industry.
Meanwhile, BTVI Associate Vice President of Fund Development, Alicia Thompson, expressed how this donation further solidifies BTVI’s reputation with industry.
Ms. Thompson acknowledged that Dermalogica is widely known for its quality skin care products and with BTVI’s reputation for delivering quality education, it came as no surprise when Dermalogica decided to invest in the institution’s students.
“This investment confirms the level of confidence that industry has in our ability to train our students as we prepare them for the world of work. It shows that they have been watching us, that they have seen our graduates at work and they are comfortable endorsing our program,” she stated.
Ms. Thompson noted that initially, only one scholarship was promised, however after meeting with the applicants and hearing about their career goals and how a BTVI education will help them to achieve those goals, the company realized how difficult it was to select only one recipient and awarded two instead.
Ms. Beek said upon completion of the program, opportunity for employment for recipients may become available at Dermalogica or Dermalogica account locations.
Pictured left to right: Dermal Distributions Chief Executive Officer and President, Sarah Beek; BTVI Associate Vice President of Fund Development, Alicia Thompson; Scholarship recipients, Dereka Bain and Chandira Wright; Dermal Distributions Chief Financial Officer, Raymond Simpson and BTVI President, Dr. Robert W. Robertson.
Recipients also received products to use during their studies.
Photo: Shantique Longley
