Ibis Wellness Inc

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Ibis Wellness Inc

Bridgetown, BarbadosBarbados
Year Founded:
2009
Organization type: 
for profit
Project Stage:
Start-Up
Budget: 
$10,000 - $50,000
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Project Summary
Elevator Pitch

Concise Summary: Help us pitch this solution! Provide an explanation within 3-4 short sentences.

A chain is as strong as it weakest link. We want a positive future for our children’s children. Ibis Wellness Inc. proposes providing natural bath and body products and supplements which contribute to the total well being by utilizing the best natural/organic products cultivated by local farmers.

WHAT IF - Inspiration: Write one sentence that describes a way that your project dares to ask, "WHAT IF?"

everything was interconnected.
About Project

Problem: What problem is this project trying to address?

There is a decrease in the utilization of agriculture land in Barbados.Additionally our import food bill for the year 2012 was Bds$700 million. For the year 2013 it is projected that the import bill will exceed previous years. There is a decrease in the knowledge of the composition of our food, products we use on our skin. There is a higher number of unemployment among the youth due to current economical situation.

Solution: What is the proposed solution? Please be specific!

The creation and strengthen the agricultural value chain, where link are formed to provide healthier more reasonable food items that can make an impact on the countries overall health in a positive way.To make the connection in order for total wellness to occur there must be a balance of what we eat use on our bodies to accomplish this.To make linkages that will provide a new outlook on farming. This will be accomplished by applying both practical and scientific methods to agriculture while still maintaining an organic approach.To link farmers to persons who are in the agro-processing industry and /or make holistic and medicinal products through the formation of the cooperative New Age Planters.
Impact: How does it Work

Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.

In the rural area where a local bee keeper was producing honey for consumption and whom the company purchases honey to include in its products was able to open another income stream for him.Instead of just getting rid of the beeswax as a waste product the company purchase some of it to be purified and used as an emulsifier in the production of creams. The company is also looking to extend its line to include candles to utilize more of the beeswax. Ibis also uses goat’s milk in the production of its products sourced from another rural farmer. This indicates that once our production levels increase the raw materials required form local farmers will also increase.

Impact: What is the impact of the work to date? Also describe the projected future impact for the coming years.

Ibis Wellness Inc. through its products and promotions is able to educate the public about the benefits of knowing what goes into the products they used and also the benefits of using natural and organic products. This was measured through an analysis of the sales revenue and the demand for its products. The company is committed to using organic and wild crafted ingredients hence the farmers who provide these raw materials have to be trained in practices to produce such materials. The company will be working with other organizations like Green Business Barbados to help with maintaining standards for environmental friendly practices. With increase in product range and production capacity the number of farmers will also increase. Currently the company works with 5 farmers.
Sustainability

Financial Sustainability Plan: What is this solution’s plan to ensure financial sustainability?

Through the formation of the cooperative, New Age Planters, the members will be provided the opportunity to equally invest in their growth. Applying for organic certification and farming programs will be more easily obtainable through group effort. In return Ibis Wellness Inc and other agro-processors will provide ready markets for these farmers thus benefiting from securing high quality raw materials for their production at competitive prices.

Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?

There are a couple of natural bath and body companies in the Caribbean region who are offering body products only while other companies produce natural products for consumption only. Ibis Wellness Inc proposes to be different by presenting itself as a lifestyle brand that offering natural /organic products for the skin and to be eaten. This idea came into fruition when marketing my skin products .Persons would always want to know the healthy things I ate as well.The company will also include a sector which produces some raw materials such as essentials and carrier oils.