Three St. John�s entrepreneurs have developed a line of spa products using arctic icebergs, local seaweed, and Provincial Government support. I.C. Spa Products Inc. has received $15,000 from the Provincial Government�s Business and Market Development Program (BMDP) to help market its new products to national and international audiences.

"I.C. Spa Products is an enterprising company that is capitalizing on our province�s natural resources in a new way to supply a non-traditional market," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "Newfoundland and Labrador has abundant supplies of nutrient-rich seaweeds, berries, clays and mud and this is a new and innovative use of those resources. Our support will enable the company to target new markets and explore new opportunities."

A kelp called Laminaria, which is readily-available in the province, contains many healthful ingredients such as proteins, carotene, niacin, phosphorus, and B complex vitamins. Moor mud, which has been used in European spas for hundreds of years, contains bio-minerals, vitamins, amino acids, plant hormones and fatty acids. It has many uses including the treatment of arthritis, post-surgery recovery, and muscular recovery in sports medicine. In the spa industry it is known for its hydrating, detoxifying and anti-cellulite properties.

"We have been wholesaling our own customized spa products to spas for some years, but in the last year we have formulated a series of products to use dried seaweed, seaweed and berry extracts and iceberg water," said Lisa Walsh, who is heading the project. "These ingredients are the most pristine on the planet. By using these ingredients we are now adding to our product line Ossetra� wondrous earth, and we will be exporting to the United States and overseas in 2008."

I.C. Spa Products Inc. is owned and operated by Lisa Walsh, Darlene McCarthy and Lee-Ann Fleming, who between them have more than 50 years of business experience in beauty/cosmetics, esthetics and post-secondary education relating to their field of expertise.

BMDP provides new entrepreneurs and expanding small businesses with matching funding to help them acquire the necessary expertise to pursue new business ideas and new markets for their products or services. The $1 million program is intended to support new growth opportunities in the economy, such as value-added manufacturing activities and export-oriented opportunities.

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2008 07 04                                                       11:10 a.m.