$ making idea for locals

My personal opinion is that moving to the VI is pretty much a "do it yourself" project. Expecting too much help from those already here is not realistic. Plus, if I meet some one I like from here or just around island, my advice is free. I know I wouldn't want the responsibility of helping a newcomer for $$$. To many things can go wrong - on both sides.

Linda,
No own is talking about contracts or anything here. I am referring to human spirit. You seem very informative, and your knowledge would be helpful to folks like myself. A fee ads an incentive to help…not obligation to solve every transplants issues.

“Expecting too much help from those already here is not realistic.”. WOW. How…umm...humanistic of you. Asking advice for those transplants that have a foothold is “expecting too much?” It is a realistic idea for some eentrepreneur who has the vision and the dollars to implement it.
Best regards,
Norm
Anyone with some POSATIVE feedback on this idear?

Norman, you are supposed to be waiting by the mailbox.....

Thunderstorm Norm,

It is unrealistic to charge for that service on island. There isn't enough money nor time in the day for people on island to do it. The secret to it all is to have the right attitude and everyone on island will help you find your way without a fee. The problem is there are too many mainlanders with an attitude and high expectations and would expect even more if they were paying for it. No one could do it for long. Like Linda said, too many things can go wrong on both sides.

The fact that you are opposed to hearing the truth or the realistic situation kind of makes me think you are one of those with the wrong attitude.

Teresa

Dear Norm,

You misunderstand. I realize you do not know me. Those that do can tell you that Ric and I are extremely helpful, both with advice and actual assistance.

What I was saying is that there is no amount of $$$ that would entice me to assist folks as a business proposition. And there would certainly be an implied or unwritten contract -- you give me money and I'll give you assistance. I have no interest in that type of formal agreement.

My mother died 5 years ago after a long, nasty illness. My sisters and I helped my Dad every day for almost 2 years. We were glad to do so, but the experience doesn't mean I want to provide such care for a living.

But my real point is that people have to come with the expectation of standing on their own two feet. They have to get out, make contacts, follow up on leads, etc. Expecting too much help is a recipe for failure.

Peace.

It is a business idea that is unworkable, unreasonable, and makes no sense.

nada mas.

Norm.....if you ever come in from the mailbox.........
Let me say to you....its not a bad idea....there are people here that make a living telling people how to shop!!!!!!!!
I would imagine that a couple of years ago, they would have been laughed at.....a good idea can always work....espeacially if its not yet in effect......Trust me, if you don't try this, someone else will...Just get your move done, learn the island and get a job. Start your "Great Idea" and watch it take off!!!! Never forget that a small time business person started a business that takes peoples dogs to go poop!!!!
If theres a dream, follow it......Live your dream, don't dream your life!!!!!!!!!!......Now get back to the mail box!!!!!

I pretty much offer as much help that I can to my incoming tenants. I do not charge for this service. The reason I offer extended stay at Villa Fairview is so it is easier for folks new to the island, so they don;t have to spend too much on hotel o, then run around like crazy looking for an apartment. You have a month to get adjusted and I am always there for any questions asked. Can't imagine how much to charge for that. A manual maybe?

RL

Ronnie, thats not a bad start....kinda like recruiters for companies do.....a nice relocation package accompanied by a person to meet them at the airport and keep them pointed in the right direction...

In bits and pieces I guess that sort of thing already exists.....When I got here, I paid someone to go to WAPA and have my electric services hooked up, paid someone to go to the DMV to register my car and other such things...sure they seem like simple things to do, but when I first moved here, those were some things I just didn't want to be bothered with. So I think that if someone came up with a list of things that people don't really want to do.....it could be workable as a business...
Could even be a continuing thing...For example, when I renewed my registration, I hired the same person to do the job....At least at first, it may be a part time thing.....but like any other business, the right attitude and hard work, it can pay off...

There are concierge services available already on St X . Judy Frick will do all the things you mention and more - she is an excellent service. I guess she prices by time???????? I am sure that there are others too. Perhaps room for one more.

We have a guy through our insurance company who registers our cars. There are lots of folks who do that sort of thing on STX. What I thought Norm was talking about was a more personal, less defined type of service. More of a "taking under the wing", But so many things here are subjective - where to live, where to work, where to shop - even among present residents, that I think it would be difficult to provide such services for a price to people you don't know.

Ditto to Linda's post

I think I can talk intellignetly about this subject since I did start just that type of business about 3 years ago. I offered the following serices:

Setting up mailing addresses, accepting boxes in the mail, delivering them once the client got on island.
Innovative and WAPA setup
Customs clearing on household goods shipmen
Getting a car setup, insured and registered before people arrie. I would take photos of the various cars and email them.
Finding apartments for people, giving honest reviews, and would email pictures and help setup a lease.
Setting up cell phone

Basically anything and everything to help a new transplant to hit the ground running. There is really not as much demand as you would think. It was good that this was a side business, just to help people out and make a little money, because what I made was very little, tiny, itsy bitsy, money. My business is still out there is cyberspace but pretty much closed up because I only had a small handful (5-6) of clients.

The same old problem exists with this business idea as the reason business owners and landlords will almost never hire/rent to you until you are on island. MANY MANY people say they will come and never do. You would quickly loose cache with business owners/landlords if people weren't showing up that had promised to.

As far as finding jobs there are employment placement businesses on stx and stt, but you have to be on island. With apartments the best deals are either in the paper or by networking (translation-drinking at a bar and talking to the person next to you).

Lastly all this information is available for free (how to get things done here), just read this board or talk to people that live here. People will help you once you are on island. Everyone (transplants) know what it's like to be new, you get so much advice when you're new that its very easy to get overwhelmed by what you don't know.

I think a welcoming committee would be a great idea! Many people would pay for it, because the island can be formidable for newcomers, just to know how to get around, where to go and to hang out, etc. Contact me if you would like help getting it started!

I think Welcome Wagon was mentioned somewhere at the beginning of this thread. That's a great idea for any area. The new resident doesn't pay anything. It is simply advertising "coupons", paid for by merchants and service companies, hand delivered by the WW representative, who is knowledgeable of the area. There are also maps, civic organization info, emergency services, etc. included in the packet. The rep obviously gets paid by the promotions company putting the package together.

Might not help much with relocation ,short term rentals, since the reciprocate is already in the new location, staying somewhere. That also addresses the issue mentioned earlier about people never actually moving here. They don't get the visit until they are on island. But real estate and property management companies would definitely advertise. Some real estate companies already offer their own "relocation packet".

I don't know if Welcome Wagon is franchised, but it might be worth checking out for the right person, or starting your own version, if that's legal.

Islander, how about a spinoff business?

They don't actually do things for you, just guide you to the appropriate office, business, etc.

You might be able to expand the service some, but I thing if the taxi association found out you were "greeting" people at the airport and getting paid for it, you might be forced to get a medallion (taxi license). If you could even get one, there goes any profit for the next 20 years! (Maybe 50 years)