TWIN intuition may be a questionable concept for many but for Shantol and Shanea Malcolm, it’s been an unfailing life compass.

The 29-year-old twin sisters, both employed to Sandals and Beaches resorts in Negril, credit their almost parallel realities to a shared appreciation for uplifting energy and golden opportunities.

“When something is good, we can just tell,” said Shantol, the more outgoing of the pair.

“The same thing is true of any working environment; we could both sense right away that the Sandals brand is definitely something great,” added Shantol.

Starting at Sandals Negril in 2018 as a bartender, Shantol was wide-eyed and eager to adapt to her fast-paced surroundings. Merely a few years after, Shanea debuted at Beaches Negril’s resort shop as a sales representative. Though the two decided to venture into different departments, their mutual goal was remarkably clear — they would defy all odds and imprint an indelible mark on each resort.

Driven by passion and, of course, the occasional bout of friendly sibling rivalry, the sisters set out to create an impact through master mixology and soaring sales. True to their intuitive nature, they anticipated challenges, but their unspoken pact promised that neither twin would fold in the face of difficulty.

“Challenges are necessary for growth,” Shanea reflected. “If you’re passionate about what you do, challenges can even feel like adventures. They’re new and exciting ways to experience the world.”

While they have both proudly attributed their success to grit and tenacity, the Malcolm twins have also conceded that support from their respective teams has made their joint mission much easier to accomplish.

Shantol, by her own account, is most grateful for the heart-warming camaraderie within her immediate team. She referenced the existing rapport between members of the bar team as she sought to establish grounds for the strides that she has made in her career.

Shanea has also tapped into her team’s wealth of knowledge as a means of motivation. Her managers, in particular, have facilitated a welcomed thrust in the right direction.

“My managers taught me that if I don’t see myself as outstanding, no one else will,” she shared, fondly mentioning Belinda Henlon-Brown, resort shop manager, and Leslee Parkinson, assistant resort shop manager. “I shared their advice with my sister and it has propelled us to strive towards excellence, no matter what.”

This nugget, according to the twins, has unearthed the depth of character needed to challenge themselves and each other. Despite the desire to dominate their respective fields, Shantol and Shanea have not abandoned their devotion to hospitality at its core.

They have confessed to feelings of growing fervour within their fields and are often amazed that they continue to discover novel bits and bobs to love about their craft.

As part of their daily discoveries, the sisters have gathered innumerable gems that moonlight as life lessons. They have both come to value the honing of their skill sets as well as the countless opportunities that have become available to them.

In a sentimental exchange, Shanea expressed her deep-seated gratitude for the opportunity to advance personally and professionally with her twin. Not to be outdone, Shantol relayed her advice to her sister and other dreamers under the Sandals and Beaches umbrella.

“In order to make a mark that lasts, you have to do three things,” she urged. “You must chase opportunities, seize every last one and maximise the returns on all of them,” said Shantol.