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What It Takes To Own A Caribbean Business

As anyone who has ever sent in a request for more information about our listings will tell you, our first course of action is to send over a questionnaire with all kinds of intrusive questions about their personal finances, decision-making ability and spousal consent.  While most take it in good humor and provide us with as accurate a picture as possible, a few have simply refused to fill out the form and/or re-disappeared into the digital mist from whence they came.

The fact is, there are far more people enticed by the *idea* of owning a business, especially in the Caribbean, than those ready to make the commitment required to take a successful operation and run with it.  Since we represent both parties during a transaction of this nature, we thought it would be a good idea to publish a checklist of things you should consider before seriously approaching a Caribbean business for sale opportunity.

If you are interested in purchasing an existing business in the Caribbean (and we hope you are), ask yourself the following questions – and get your spouse and/or business partners to do the same…

1. Are you a self-starter?
2. Are you a leader?
3. Have you worked in a business similar to the one you want to buy? (i.e. retail, tourism, hospitality, etc.)
4. Have you had any entrepreneurial experience?
5. Do you have the patience to work with and motivate the people around you?
6. Can you accept total responsibility for a company’s success or failure?
7. Do you have a strong team of advisers/mentors?
8. Do you have a budget, marketing and business plan?
9. Have the plans been critiqued by your team of advisers?
10. Can you make decisions quickly and confidently?
11. Can you stay the course if times get tough?
12. Can you access additional capital beyond the initial start-up or acquisition costs (most businesses fail due to lack of capital).
13. How is your credit?
14. Have you shopped your competition and determined your competitive advantages?
15. Have you researched the availability of personnel and the skills necessary to staff your business?
16. Have you considered the differences between working at the beach vs. being on vacation?
17. Did you check to see if there were any laws that may hamper your ability to do business?
18. If you could make the same amount of money working for another business owner, would you still proceed?
19. Do you have the support of your spouse or business partner(s)?
20. Can you read and keep financial records?

If you answered “yes” to 15 or more of the above questions, you probably have the right mindset to start or buy your own business.  If you answered “yes” to 10 or fewer, you may want to reconsider your motivations.

Especially in regard to question #16, we often hear from couples just returning from a wonderful vacation experience, dreaming of the chance to return and live happily ever after.  It can and has been done!  Unfortunately, many of those same people lack the experience or fortitude to get down to the business at hand.  To cater to others rather than being catered to.  To roll up their sleeves rather than rolling out their towels.  It takes a balance of both to run a successful Caribbean business, and we’re here to help, but be sure you are ready for the commitment before asking a busy business owner to commit their time and energy to your wistful fantasies.

If you feel that you are indeed ready to take the plunge, LET US KNOW.  We would be glad to help guide you through the process of purchasing your new life in the Blue Water World.

Scheduling St. Maarten Business Tour

We have several businesses about to list in St. Maarten in addition to this beauty and are looking to schedule a tour of all listings in mid October. If you are in the area or would like to attend, please contact us today to let us know what days/times would be most convenient for you. We will have listings in the $1m – $15m range, primarily in the shore excursion category. Also, be sure to join the mailing list (above) to be notified of similar “Caribbean Business For Sale” tours throughout the region!

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome to Blue Water Business Brokers (dot com)! We have launched this site as a resource for all business owners throughout the Caribbean and Pacific coasts that may now, or some day in the future, be interested in finding a new owner to carry on their well-earned legacies.

In addition to listing businesses for sale, we will also be bringing you interviews and stories from entrepreneurs, shop owners, hoteliers and more, in an effort to highlight the best of what the Caribbean has to offer to today’s aspiring business professionals.

Blue Water Business Brokers was founded by a pair of entrepreneurs with a broad range of business backgrounds.

Matt Kekelis, our CEO, began his career in residential real estate sales, where he specialized in high-end placements for executive and celebrity clientele. Progressing into commercial real estate sales and ultimately business brokerage services, Kekelis has a proven track record of effectively valuing, marketing and selling businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Pinky Gonzales, our CMO, came from a background in brand development and marketing. His former company sold to event services leader TicketMaster in 2007 and inspired in Gonzales the drive to seek, serve and deliver the same dream he has had as a successful business owner.

Together, we look forward to getting to know you, and being of service in any and every way we can. Thank you for visiting the site! Please take a look around and contact us today if you’re looking for the best the Caribbean has to offer in business brokerage services.