Anyone who’s ever thought about packing up and flying, or sailing off to a new life in a tropical paradise is undoubtedly filled with questions. Should I buy or rent a property? What are the restrictions? What paperwork is involved? How will I make a living? Can I own my own business?

For these people, Anthony Todd is the man with the answers. Anthony, a South African, is the owner of Caribbean Business Brokers, which he started in 2002. He had been visiting his brother, a yacht rigger in Antigua, since the late 80’s. In 1999, when his sibling tied the knot, he decided, “OK, I’ve gotta find a way to try and live here.”

Two years later, he made the move to the West Indies.

He was involved, at first, in the mammoth job of laying fiber optic cables to provide telecommunications links between the islands. But that, of course, only lasted so long, and, with a background of owning small businesses in Cape Town, Anthony decided to open one in Antigua.

He began by asking his sister-in-law if she knew of anyone who specialized in selling businesses. “No,” she replied, “but that sounds like a very good idea.” It took a moment for it to sink in that he was on to something, then Anthony began laying the groundwork for bridging the gap between existing business owners who wanted a change, and persons overseas who wanted a change of venue.

Research led to a course being offered by the International Business Brokers Association in New Orleans in 2001. He made some helpful contacts, and in 2002, was able to hang up his own shingle in English Harbour, Antigua.

Three years later, tropical breezes play through the upstairs windows of his new digs in a trendy new business complex in what he calls his “vibrant little corner of the island”.

He’s expanded to selling residential properties and hotels on his website, and even has an island or two on offer. Relationships have developed with brokers in other islands, resulting in listings in a number of territories, including the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and St Maarten.

“Getting set up was pretty easy, getting the necessary permits and so on,” he says. “The first year in any business life is basically preparation. I had to gain the trust of the sellers, then get listings set up, photograph the properties, and then make up the website, and the advertising material.” He does most of his advertising on the Internet.

A distinct sparkle comes to Anthony’s eyes when he speaks about his obvious pride and joy - the renovated “Coconut Palace” Trimaran he calls home.

The boat had been overturned by a hurricane, and rescued by some Italians who turned it into a bar and restaurant. This didn’t work for them, but when Anthony spotted it docked off the marina, he thought it would make the perfect place to live.

“I fell in love with it, and I’ve basically been on it ever since,” he says. It’s one of those labor of love/work in progress jobs which began by hauling the boat out of the water and giving it a good scrubbing.

“My bed is actually on the main deck,” he explains.

“And I’ve got a series of blinds and curtains. Now if you lift those up, it’s like having a living room on the waterfront. It’s a lovely way to live.”

There’s a bathroom, spacious kitchen - equipped with a gas stove and fridge, and a second deck, complete with beach style umbrellas, for lounging in the sun. Solar panels provide the electricity.

“It’s normally on anchor,” he says, “but I can move it carefully from one place to another - normally from English Harbour to Falmouth Harbour.”

Sounds like the perfect one man castle for this bachelor.

Business, he says, is growing steadily. Part of what he does is advise people who would like to follow in his footsteps.

“There are some things that people need to know about buying a business or a property here,” he explains.

“In terms of buying a business, you try to educate them. This is not New York City - it’s a lifestyle choice. And if you’re buying a small business, you’re basically buying a job. You’re not going to make a heck of a lot of money out of it, you’re simply going to be able to have a good lifestyle, and get out of the rat race. I always have to explain to people that things move a little slower in the Caribbean, and that patience is important.

People seem to forget that when they set up a business outside of their own country, things are more complicated. There are things that have to be done, applications for a work permit, regulations and so on. It’s an adjustment, and that’s what I try to do - help people through every stage of that adjustment.”

In addition, he notes that it’s more difficult now to come up with a novel idea in the Caribbean, since a lot of businesses previously not set up, now exist. It might be easier in some cases to purchase an existing business, Anthony says, particularly where you can show that you will be offering employment to others.

Foreign would-be landholders have to be prepared to wait three to six months for a deal to be completed, something to also keep in mind when selling. Nonetheless, interest in Caribbean properties continues to increase. “Certainly, when it’s cold, and you’re getting things like storms in New York,” Anthony says with a laugh.

He gets hundreds of emails each month from people interested in the Caribbean for a holiday home, retirement, work, or just a change of scenery. It’s always easier to follow the path already trod, and in Anthony’s case, he enjoys helping others find that path.

“The pleasure that I’ve got from moving to an environment like this where I can say go down and have a cocktail on the beach, or go for a walk at the end of the day, instead of driving through the traffic, my business gives me the opportunity to share that, and at the same time explain to people what the pitfalls are going to be. You should never go into something like this without being aware, because it is a life of lovely opportunity, and it is a lifestyle change, but that doesn’t mean that it’s dead easy. You need all the help you can get from everybody that’s willing to help you when you move from one country to another. Any transition requires as much help, and insider knowledge that you can get. And that’s what I do, facilitate that insider knowledge.”

When he’s not doing that, Anthony spends his time sailing with friends, snorkeling from his boat, taking walks, and travelling to nearby islands for business.

susan_noyce@yahoo.com

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