As caretakers of the community, family businesses help to drive the economy. Not only do they create jobs, but they provide opportunities for other small businesses and entrepreneurs, including farmers, entertainers and crafters, fueling a healthy ecosystem.
Shirley Heights Lookout Restaurant and Bar is one example of a small family business that has embraced a big-picture mindset. Not only has it emerged as a community champion, but also as one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Antigua and Barbuda.
J. Valerie Hodge, proprietor of Shirley Heights Lookout, was a guest on this week’s LIKKE BYTE IDEAS, a weekly digital show sponsored by SamuelFields Consulting Group (SFCG). This consortium of finance wellness experts, is celebrating Black Entrepreneurship by highlighting the accomplishments of local pioneers in business, throughout the month of February.
Hodge shared that this legendary family business was the vision of her late brother Russell Hodge. It opened on November 1, 1981, the same day that Antigua and Barbuda became an independent nation,
By leveraging key elements of the country’s rich history and culture, a visit to Shirley Heights enables locals and visitors to capture the true essence of the destination. Relics of a military lookout and gun battery, from a time when Antigua and Barbuda was the center of naval activity in the Eastern Caribbean, have been repurposed into a stunning venue. In addition, Shirley Heights is known for the best sunset views, local rum punch and live performances.
Although a study has never been conducted to determine the economic impact of this legacy business on the national economy, Hodge believes that it is quite significant.
“The impact of Shirley Heights on tourism is amazing and although we have never done a study, we are open year round and provide business opportunities for taxi drivers, entertainers, vendors and many others in the industry. Also, the name Shirley Heights is recognized in many far-flung places. So we test out ah road,” Hodge said.
Studies show that family businesses focus on satisfying the needs of their customers, and this makes them more adaptable to change in times of economic uncertainty.
Yet few family businesses survive for four decades. Prior to the pandemic, Shirley Heights held the record for having the longest continuous Sunday party anywhere in the world.
However, after being closed for 13 months, Valerie had to seek capital funding and to restructure the business to ensure its survival and sustainability.
“Creating a family business, becoming profitable, hiring people, and collaborating with other businesses to share in the economic gains, this is what creates financial empowerment. These types of actions help to bring the community together to spark innovation and problem-solving capabilities among employees and other small businesses,” said Megan Samuel-Fields, CEO of SFCG.
After over 30 years at the helm, succession planning is on Valerie’s mind, and she has already begun to groom two of her nieces to play a more active role in running the business and to continue the stewardship of the family’s wealth into the future.
She looks forward to the integration of new ideas that will build on the core values of the business and to continue to drive the family’s vision. To listen to the full interview on 𝘓𝘐𝘒𝘒𝘌 𝘉𝘠𝘛𝘌 𝘐𝘋𝘌𝘈𝘚 click on: https://www.youtube.com/live/B7TDW6EsHqg?feature=share
Like J. Valerie Hodge, many families struggle with the best ways to manage and transfer multigenerational wealth and protect the “human and financial” capital that has been invested by many family members over time. SFCG will address this important issue at the upcoming virtual 1-day conference, Financial Wellness – TLC (Talk. Learn. Commit) on March 2, 2023. One session in particular “Tools for Managing Family Wealth: How to Transfer Assets to Ensure a Lasting Legacy” will address some of the critical succession planning issues that families must manage. To register for the Conference visit: http://bit.ly/3XU6wtU.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
A truly wonderful success story. We’ll done and congratulations to one and all involved in this fantastic venture.
As the saying goes ” out of little acorns 🌰 mighty oaks trees 🌳 grow”.
Continued success Valerie in your business.
Comments are closed.