MONTEGO BAY, St James – St James native Swean Wright-Frazer is making waves at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa and continues to receive praises and applause from management for her continuous strides in the hospitality industry.

Frazer’s journey to success began in 2005 when she joined the then Sandals Whitehouse as a public area attendant.

Prior to her employment there, Frazer said she tried applying at the South Coast-based resort more than 10 times with no luck. Her determination and zeal eventually paid off when she applied for the 11th time and was finally successful.

“It has always been my dream to wear a Sandals name tag,” Frazer said. “I remember it like yesterday. I went to Sandals Whitehouse 10 times and the human resources manager would always say ‘No vacancies,’ but I did not let that discourage me. One morning, I woke up even more determined. I decided to go back for the 11th time. When the Human Resource Manager saw it was me again, she saw my drive and gave me a chance.”

Frazer said she was so excited and nervous that she failed the resort’s literacy test on the first try. Resolute, she begged for a second chance and passed the test a week later with 90 per cent, thus beginning her sojourn with Sandals.

As she continued to excel within the resort, an opportunity arose for her to transfer to sister property, Beaches Resort Villages and Spa in the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2008.

The determined Jamaican took up the challenge and moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands with beaming excitement and an open mind. She continued working in the Housekeeping Department, but began taking notice of the various other departments and sought ways to increase her knowledge.

In 2013, that curiosity led to Frazer transferring to the Red Lane® Spa as a spa attendant.

“I knew I wanted to do more and be more in the company.” I was given the opportunity to cross-train in the spa department and fell in love with the profession,” she said, adding, “I loved providing personalised service to guests and wanted to continue growing in that area,”

In 2017, Beaches granted Frazer three months leave to pursue her formal education in Spa Therapy. During that time, Frazer moved back to Jamaica where she attended the Western Business College and obtained a certification in Aromatherapy, Swedish Massage, Body Scrubs and Wraps.

She also attended the Western Business Institute where she earned certifications in Hot Stone Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Trigger Point Therapy.

Frazer’s journey was not easy as it meant eight-hour days, shifting between the two institutions, so she could do the required courses. She later earned certificates in Reflexology & Pregnancy Massage from the Red Lane® Institute.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that Sandals and Beaches have provided to me by allowing me to pursue my interests and encouraging me to further my education. I am grateful for my manager, Devie-Ann Parkins, and the entire management team for always encouraging me to keep pushing,” said Frazer.

Today, Frazer is a certified spa therapist with multiple certificates under her belt.

She has already completed all of the core courses at Sandals Corporate University, where she received certifications in Leadership, Art of Selling, Professional Communication and Customer Service.

Frazer is consistently recognised by Red Lane® Spa manager, Devie-Ann Parkins, for her contributions to the spa, and has won numerous awards via the Prestige Awards, the Sandals and Beaches Resorts employee recognition programme.

“Swean has always been extremely hard-working, but more importantly ambitious. She has been a great supporter from the moment she came in and gave me her commitment that this is the area for her. This is something she has dreamt of since she was in housekeeping. She has always wanted to wear that blue uniform, and she didn’t just get it because she went to school, she worked hard,” said Parkins.

Parkins credits Frazer with finding creative ways to reward fellow staff for their achievement, adding that “she continues to show interest in improving herself and being an inspiration to those around her”.

And Frazer is urging persons desirous of excelling at Sandals to work hard.

“What I will say to anyone who has aspirations of excelling at Sandals and Beaches is you have to remember that there is no limit to your dreams. Anything you want to do is possible,” she argued.