Kim Sivyer found contentment in the Caribbean, starting a new business and a new life in the sun. Words Anna Tobin
“I’d never really had any time to take stock of my life until I arrived in the Caribbean. I left school at 16 and went into hairdressing. Then I did a business degree at night at Birkbeck College, London whilst working full time. Once I graduated, I worked for Save the Children, before going into hedge funds. While working in finance, I had to study for more qualifications to further my career. I eventually got to a point where it felt like all I was doing was working and studying, I was burnt out. After living in London for twenty years, I realised I was ready to do something totally different.
I ended up handing in my notice and accompanying a friend who was coming out to Barbados for a couple of months to do a windsurfing course. Whilst I was over here I took a Dive Master qualification, and after six weeks of doing this, the lady who I was diving with invited me to help her with her business and use this as experience towards the Dive Master course.
It wasn’t really what I was looking to do, but I decided to come out for a few months and see how things went. So I went home, sold my apartment and came back to give it a go. Whilst I was out here for the second time, I realised that I liked living here and it was just what I needed. I also realised that there were many areas where I could start doing business out here.
The decision to open up my store was made when I went out to buy shampoo and found every shop selling the same few limited lines. I thought there was a gap in the market, as all the expats and wealthy villa owners out here must want a range of high-quality beauty and haircare products.
Read more in the October edition of Living Abroad Magazine
For more information on Pure Source Barbados, visit www.puresourcebarbados.com
“I’d never really had any time to take stock of my life until I arrived in the Caribbean. I left school at 16 and went into hairdressing. Then I did a business degree at night at Birkbeck College, London whilst working full time. Once I graduated, I worked for Save the Children, before going into hedge funds. While working in finance, I had to study for more qualifications to further my career. I eventually got to a point where it felt like all I was doing was working and studying, I was burnt out. After living in London for twenty years, I realised I was ready to do something totally different.
I ended up handing in my notice and accompanying a friend who was coming out to Barbados for a couple of months to do a windsurfing course. Whilst I was over here I took a Dive Master qualification, and after six weeks of doing this, the lady who I was diving with invited me to help her with her business and use this as experience towards the Dive Master course.
It wasn’t really what I was looking to do, but I decided to come out for a few months and see how things went. So I went home, sold my apartment and came back to give it a go. Whilst I was out here for the second time, I realised that I liked living here and it was just what I needed. I also realised that there were many areas where I could start doing business out here.
The decision to open up my store was made when I went out to buy shampoo and found every shop selling the same few limited lines. I thought there was a gap in the market, as all the expats and wealthy villa owners out here must want a range of high-quality beauty and haircare products.
Read more in the October edition of Living Abroad Magazine
For more information on Pure Source Barbados, visit www.puresourcebarbados.com
