Swypz is the answer
Published:Wednesday | May 11, 2016 | 12:00 AMJanelle Oswald
"Swypz with every wipe," says the hygienist turned entrepreneur, who has designed a wet wipe for every occasion.
Unhappy with what she saw on the supermarket shelves and pharmacies in Jamaica and overseas, Canadian hygienist Alanna Kirschner decided to create her own.
"Don't get mad, get even," Kirschner told The Gleaner. And that is exactly what she did.
Following the advice of Richard Branson who describes entrepreneurs as, "somebody who sees a gap in the market and feels that people are not being treated well," Kirschner came up with her own wet wipes.
"I first designed Swypz wipes for medical/dental applications because I was not satisfied with the wipes I saw when I visited various dental practices after moving to Jamaica," said the mother of three, who's lived in Jamaica almost 10 years and says, "the winters in Jamaica are more humane."
"My original wipes were created for the medical and dental industry, and were designed to be an effective and efficient disinfectant. The idea was based on products used in America and Europe, which were too expensive to be imported to Jamaica," Kirschner explained.
A confessed "neat freak" because of her professional background, she told The Gleaner, "Designing wipes came after I had my second child. I realised instead of buying baby wipes, which contain chemicals and leave a sticky residue, I could make my own. After formulating baby wipes, I designed anti-bacterial wipes and now I am working on other products which will offer eco-friendly and healthier options compared to mainstream products."
Number one choice
Fast becoming the number one choice for wet wipes, Kirschner who is also a certified health coach added, "Swypz is designed to offer an aromatherapy experience while functionally cleaning your hands or face. Lavender essential oils have a calming effect whereas lemongrass has a multitude of benefits, one of those being to help uplift the mind and body. The facial wipes are alcohol free but contain witch hazel, which acts as an antioxidant and astringent but does not dry out the skin," she said.
Swypz is available at Fontana Pharmacies, Natural Health Food Stores in Orchid Plaza, Midspring Plaza, Earth Elements, Alchemist Pharmacy, Twin Gates Pharmacy, Matilda's Corner Pharmacy and Innovative Superstore in Sovereign Centre.
Supreme Ventures Limited also offers the custom made wipes for their patrons to use while gaming.
"Being a mother, I am highly concerned with the health of my children. The skin is the largest organ in the body and it absorbs what you put on it. Being able to limit the amount of chemicals they are exposed to is important. When you read the ingredients on the label of most beauty products, they are mysterious as to what they are and what they do. My philosophy is 'if you cannot eat it, it should not be applied to your skin."
Promoting brand Jamaica by using local suppliers for the essential oils, the University of Manitoba graduate said, "The solutions are prepared and applied to the wipes in Jamaica and the packaging is also finished here as well however, the raw materials and parts of the materials for the packaging are imported to ensure the best quality."
Kirschner is currently reading for a second degree in business administration and is a firm believer that, "There is nothing better than being happy with what you do and what you are proud of. Your family will be a lot happier when you pursue your passion. Follow your dream and unleash the business diva within."