Monday, January 01, 2007Rising Stars
Susanna HennighanYoung BVIslanders get to business
Share On Facebook > In addition to its international business, tourism, and utilities sectors, the BVI is also home to hundreds of unique and successful small businesses. And young BVIslanders increasingly have their sights set on making their mark through the world of business. Meet three such up and coming businesses, which are part of the fabric of the BVI business community.
The Dove
Opening a new business is not easy. Just ask Scott Hart and Paloma Helm who opened their Road Town restaurant, the Dove, in January 2004.
It had been a long journey. The couple, who met while working together at the Last Resort, thought that there was a need for a hip, upscale restaurant and bar in central Road Town.
Hart, a Canadian, and Helm, a BVIslander, first went in search of a location. They found a small unused home on Main Street, built in the traditional West Indian style. The building was long on charm but short on modern conveniences, but with the help of family and friends Hart and Helm managed to renovate the building through seven months of backbreaking labour.
The next hurdle was financing. Hart and Helm first went to the local banks, selling their business plan. They were faced with rejection after rejection, and were told that there is no such thing as a small business start-up loan in the BVI. Not to be discouraged, the couple turned to private investors, and eventually found silent investors through whose support they were able to open their doors.
Hart and Helm say that the final challenge, and one which remains pressing to this day, is the difficulty of staffing their restaurant. Due to the local labour shortage, the Dove must recruit from off-island, a process that requires them to identify candidates and then navigate a lengthy bureaucratic process to obtain the necessary permits. “This is a difficult process since you run the risk that during the time that you are waiting for the permit, your candidate will lose interest or find another job opportunity,” Helm said.
Despite the challenges, the Dove is enjoying success. The restaurant’s refined ambiance and sophisticated food attracts a professional clientele, and two small expansions have allowed them to accommodate greater numbers of customers. Word of mouth, satisfied customers and a hard-working staff have made it what it is today, Hart says.
Both owners say they were lucky to be able to overcome the hurdles to opening their business, and they hope that new policies will be put in place so that others with good business ideas can see them become a reality.
Affinier Dry Cleaning
Affinier Dry Cleaning and Clothing Care Services was the brainchild of six young and ambitious BVIslanders who saw a niche need for quick, professional and reliable dry cleaning service in the BVI. Their backgrounds were varied, but together they had business experience, leadership skills, and perhaps most importantly, a shared vision for a successful business.
That vision was for a business that placed customers’ needs first. Affinier always strives to exceed the high standards expected by its customers, and to do so at an affordable price.
Affinier offers full service dry cleaning with 72-hour turnaround, although express cleaning is also available. There is also full pressing service, as well as pick-up and delivery service. In the future, the business plans to add clothing repair and alteration services.
Affinier’s founders knew that in addition to actual services provided, two other factors would influence their success: location and the calibre of staff recruited. They chose a location near Port Purcell, about five minutes from central Road Town. It is part of an expanding business district, and convenient to those who live or work in Road Town.
As for staff, Affinier employs four experienced and professional staff members with more than 25 combined years of experience in dry cleaning and pressing. They are trained in the latest dry cleaning technologies, which Affinier employs.
Affinier has met with success since its opening in September 2003. It has developed a loyal and regular clientele on the basis of the fundamental principles of business: a useful and necessary service, accessible location, and professionalism.
Master of Light
John Black calls himself the Master of Light because as a nature photographer, light is his medium. Black’s calling takes him to remote mountaintops and vistas at quiet shorelines, as he searches for the perfect photograph.
“As an artist, I hope my images will inspire everyone to be more aware of nature in all aspects around us in our daily lives,” Black said. “The BVI is our home and we have to protect every square foot of it in every way that we possibly can.” He laments damage to the environment caused by poorly managed development, and hopes that his images will move people to defend the environment.
“Even if you do not know the stories behind my images, apply your own story and ask what we can do as individuals, as an organisation, and as a government to preserve and protect the natural beauty of our islands,” he said.
Black credits his wife, Jeanette, for supporting him, and dedicates some of his 350 wildflower images to her. He says that she understands that he must often rise as early as 4 a.m. to get the best pictures of the dawning day.
Black says that he scouts locations during normal daylight hours, but returns in the pre-dawn hours to capture the first light of day. “When the sun surfaces above the horizon it looks like a big red moon, and you can look at it without any adverse effect to the eyes. This state usually lasts about a minute and a half. After that it starts to radiate and gain strength, and it is during this process in trying to reach close to peak power that there are rapid changes in intensity of the light, which I try to capture in my images,” he said.
Black is proud of his profession, and takes pride in documenting the unique nature of the BVI on film. “Photographers show the natural beauty of the world we live in,” he said. “Our work speaks about protecting and preserving its natural beauty, of conservation in all aspects. As recorders sometimes only we know why we do what we do. We humbly ask only that our work be respected and appreciated,” he said.
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