A few months ago, I received an unexpected e-mail from Heather Grant on Union Island, owner/operator of the new venture Erika’s Marine Services.  She had read my Boat Boys of The Grenadines feature and was using some of it to help educate her staff on how to treat customers.  She was also aware and gravely concerned over the negative publicity that some of the Boat Boys had brought upon Union Island.  She had a vested interest in changing the negative image of the island.

We exchanged several e-mails on the topic over the weeks that followed.  I stopped by her shop during the November/December 2000 trip, but she was away in Canada.  Finally, during my February trip, we met for the first time.  There was much to discuss.

I have always been concerned over the level of aggressive behavior shown by a few of the Boat Boys, and others, on Union.  I believe that we should be able to visit a destination and not feel threatened or unsafe.  I also feel that visitors should treat the residents with respect.  It’s a two way street.

I do not subscribe to the “gated community” concept that All-Inclusive resorts use to safeguard their guests.  In these cases, resorts are surrounded by fences with security guards stationed every few hundred feet.  While I appreciate their attempts to safeguard their guests from harm, I am more in favor of longer-term solutions that reduce the need for such security.

I have always held the belief that aggressive behavior is primarily caused by the lack of economic opportunities.  There is simply no work, so some people feel they must resort to aggressive hustling.  You do not see this behavior on some of the more prosperous Caribbean Islands such as Grenada or Martinique.  Consequently, I believe that Union Island would be a more pleasant place to visit if more local people were more prosperous.

Heather has begun a movement in this direction.  She has opened a business that employs local people in meaningful jobs.  She has set up a fine shop; everything is brand new and expertly prepared.   Her friendly courteous staff is dressed in bright yellow uniforms.  She has taken added steps to train them in higher levels of customer service.  You can spot the difference.  This is the first significant step I have seen to turn things around on Union Island.

When I first learned of this venture, I was skeptical over the financial viability of a marine services business in Clifton Harbor.  Even in high season, you don’t see that many charter boats anchored.  The few that come are associated with the local charter company, as Clifton is their base of operations.  There are a number of long-term cruisers, but they are on a tight budget.  This group will crawl 25 miles over broken glass to save ten dollars, so one could not expect to make their first million from this market segment.  I just could not see a potential market for the marine services business.  I was dead wrong.

As it turns out, there is indeed great potential, but the backbone of it comes from a different and surprising source.  Larger charter boats make Union a port of call, and these commercial ventures require reliable laundry and other services on a regular basis.  They bring in laundry a hundred pounds at a time.  This is good business.

I have always been skeptical that many people would pay for Internet access to such an extent that you could earn a profit.  As it turns out, there are business professionals on vacation in The Grenadines who are also doing a little work out of the office.  Many of them need to connect to the Internet and exchange a few e-mails.  Conference call services are also in demand.  These are commercial activities, so they are not necessarily cost-sensitive, as long as quality service is provided.  At this time, Heather is expanding into other business activities, and I expect this trend to continue.

Since my November 2000 visit, I have noticed significant changes.  Erika’s has more visibility in the form of signs placed in strategic points in the harbor.  I observed a significant increase in foot traffic through the shop.  Once a business has established a name and convinced people to visit them first, they are on their way to success.

I am encouraged by these developments.  As Heather’s business expands, she will put more people to work, in meaningful activities, and they will be properly trained.  Other commercial enterprises on the island will have to match this level of quality, or go bust.  I have already noticed more hospitable behavior by the Boat Boys in Clifton Harbor, so it is likely already having an effect.

While these appear to be small steps, this is a small population and a small economy that does not require much to get it going.  I have no doubt that in a year or so, Heather will become a major player in a very new Union Island.  She will do it up right, and this place will change for the better.  Keep an eye on this place!