There are many lil' rum shops spread all over the Caribbean, these place are owned and operated by the locals and are typical of how the locals like to live. Many visitors have visions of visiting a local establishment while enjoying their travels...but sometimes, these local establishments can appear to be unfriendly on the exterior and not very inviting - the only other option for the tourists, is to go where all tourists go, and that's not very representative of the local culture.

WHY ARE THEY CALLED RUM SHOPS?
The word Rum in the Caribbean is generic for alcohol, so whether it's beer, vodka or whiskey, it is usually referred to as Rum - just like Kleenex is to tissue.

WHERE ARE WE GOING TO START, AND WHY?
We have chosen the Caribbean island of St. Lucia in the west Indies to start the Skeeterz business as my wife was born and raised in Paiye, a small town on St. Lucia. She is a national who allows this business, and other ventures we are pursuing, some serious advantages not available to most outsiders.

While living down there and operating a business, (read about that here) we researched and positioned ourselves and this new business venture to avoid many of the pitfalls that are experienced by those who try to open a business in the caribbean. We structured this business for minimal overhead and solid growth, allowing us to become profitable reasonably quick...but this part of the business if only the stepping stone to a much bigger and more lucrative project - exporting high quality coffee beans.

If you are not familiar with St. Lucia, she has quickly become a top destination with over a half million visitors each year. It's mostly sunny and breezy, the crime is low, the people are extemely freindly (and still appreciate visitors). The island itself is volcanic in origin and is mostly a natural rainforest. The mega resorts are exploding throughout this tiny island and there is good reason...opportunity.

Skeeterz will focus on a balance customer base of the local professionals and tourist who visit St. Lucia, something no other business is doing at this time where there exists a gap between the tropical resorts and the local culture. Skeeterz is a place where visitors can fulfill the fantasy of escaping to an island paradise where friendly locals are found in their day to day lives...this atmosphere is completely missing - the local professionals like to mix with the visitors, but they too don't like the run down rum shops or the high end touristy type businesses. But we detail this in the business plan.

WHAT IS SKEETERZ AND HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT?
Skeeterz is taking the local rum shop and kicking it up a notch to make it more appealing to the local professionals and an attractive escape for the visitors, all while keeping the island charm and laid back local culture. But at the same time, behind the scenes, we are operating it like a real business. Simply stated, we are 100% St. Lucia with the Caribbean culture in place, but we will manage and market like a commercial establishment where the employee's are trained, friendly, and understand the importance of great customer service, local and professional.

We will not compete with any other business, the resorts have spent huge amounts of money to recreate a tropical atmosphere to please travelers, and they will bring them in.  They cater to the wealthy, but offer limited “real-life’ experience and over commercialized atmosphere, hardly a true island experience.  Even visitors who travel on their own simply drive around stumbling upon different areas…never having the opportunity to experience the real down island charm that is found within the local communities, or in the small rum shops that many envision..this is where Skeeterz comes in strong with our marketing to promote our business as "the" place to experience local culture.

The traveler has two distinct options when traveling to the St. Lucia and the local professionals have one or none.

• First, there are the small local restaurants, called rum shops, mostly mom and pop style businesses that are scattered and hidden throughout the islands.  Most lack the needed resources or aggressive approach to satisfy the traveler’s pre-conceived visions.  These places are consumer friendly, but do not satisfy the visual expectations - no marketing and not very inviting in appearance and all serve the same local foods.
• Second, and to the other extreme, are the mega resorts with upscale bars, fancy umbrella drinks, exotic foods, pre-planned fun, beach games and scheduled tours.  These facilities surround the visitors with “other” tourists and are enclosed within their own communities.  They have a certain commonality and commercial ambience that lacks real island charm; completely void of the down-to-earth Caribbean culture that many would love to experience.

Introducing Skeeterz Rum Bar Grill, and unlike the resorts, our answer is not over commercialization...it is quite the opposite - a small local rum shop that is kicked up a notch or two, Skeeterz will fulfill the ideal island experience - a vision right out of a Jimmy Buffett song and the ONLY place on the island for a real cheeseburger in paradise or true buffalo style wings. Created at the local level with a professional mind-set that offers a “real” tropical experience that is 100% St. Lucia, attracting visitors and catering to the locals in one beautiful location where everyone can enjoy a great St. Lucia experience. Lush and down to earth with a few modern upgrades for comfort. Other than that, it's simply a nice rum shop where both locals and visitors are welcomed.

By simply tapping into a small portion of the annual visitors to St. Lucia, Skeeterz offers a sound business model in a tropical themed establishment where the pressures of day-to-day life will easily evaporate while recharging the mind and relaxing the soul in a lush tropical atmosphere surrounded by all the pleasantries of paradise...to the locals, they will have a beautiful place to hang out and socialize. To us, we have found paradise.

If this all sounds interesting, please contact us for the complete business plan, spreadsheets and related information. The gears are already in motion and Skeeterz Rum Bar offers an opportunity unlike anything else.

For the complete Skeeterz Rum Bar Grill business plan ~ Click here ~