The roots of Tina Westwood’s business, taking care of Antigua’s yacht owners, first sprouted when she was 19-years-old. A girlfriend asked if she’d like to work on a yacht that was sailing across the Atlantic. This question triggered Westwood’s fearless habit of saying “yes” to tasks she had never done before.
After her initial six months sailing experience, Westwood would assume the lead stewardess role on a subsequent trip aboard a yacht heading to Athens. This trip would set in motion a job working on the $100 million, 482-foot yacht of Saudi Arabia’s King Fahad. In 1987, after working on the billionaire’s yacht, Westwood said it was time for a break, and she flew to Antigua. Before departing for Antigua, Fahad awarded Westwood with a $10,000 tip.
Westwood loved Antigua’s Caribbean vibe, as well as the island’s eclectic mix of ex-pats and natives. The then 27-year-old decided to give island living a try, and she opened a bar with a former U.S. Marine.
Raising the Bar in Antigua
G &T’s Bar was a hit, especially among the yachting community. On the heels of her first bar’s success, Westwood opened a second in 2000 and dubbed it the Mad Mongoose. Over the decade during which she owned this popular tavern the Welsh-born Westwood employed 20 people, and gave birth to a baby girl. Displaying her trademark work ethic, Westwood was back behind the bar the day after her daughter was born. “It was Race Week here in Antigua. The harbour was jumping and the Mongoose was full,” Westwood said.
In 2006, Westwood sold the Mad Mongoose and began managing villas on the north side of the harbour. A friend, who was relocating to Rhode Island, suggested Tina consider taking over the yacht concierge business that she was selling. Westwood recalled, “With my years of experience working around the yachting industry, she thought I’d have the knack for assisting the needs of yacht owners and captains who passed through Falmouth Harbour.”
Custom Service for Customs
Westwood took over the reins of Caribbean Concierge Services, a shore-based management company, that handled everything from customs clearance, boat parts, event planning, private charter flights, and even where to purchase limes while on island.
“Between my years as a chief stewardess and my connections in the Antigua bar industry, I had stitched together quite a business network. I quickly developed a reputation among the yachties as someone who could get the job done,” Westwood said.
Westwood’s previous tenure working on yachts gave her a tremendous insight for not only knowing what
motor-yacht and sailboat owners needed, but also for connecting with the crew. “One yacht owner may request that I arrange for a private plane so they can fly to the neighboring island. They may also want me to source day workers to assist their crew for an event they had planned. As for the crew, their needs could be as simple as assisting with directions around Antigua,” Westwood said.
Learning on the Fly
Over the years, Westwood has learned accounting, other languages, and computer skills on the fly. She attributes most of her entrepreneurial success to her gift for gab, business contacts that have become lifelong friends, and her tireless work ethic. A typical concierge day for Westwood could include arranging for boat clearance through Antigua customs, meeting with a florist to arrange flowers on board, scouring local markets for produce, and assisting with the delivery of boat parts in need of repair.
The deep pocketed boat owners sometimes have wishes that are out of the ordinary. During this past Christmas season, Westwood received a last-minute call requesting a private plane to St. Barths for New Year’s Eve. She also accommodated an English television actress needing a playmate for her ten-year-old daughter. Westwood solved this request by commissioning her own 13-year-old daughter for the job.
Caribbean Competitive Edge
Westwood was asked what sets her apart from her competition. “In this business, it’s essential that you answer the phone. That sounds simple enough, but when you receive a call late in the evening it’s not always what you want to do. If you ask the boat captains and owners why they continue to work with me, they’ll tell you that I’m readily available to complete most any task,” Westwood said.
Ian Robertson, a Croatian-based boat captain, described why Westwood is his Antigua ‘go to’ person. “Tina is the yachties concierge agent who went from running the best bar in Antigua to the best agency. Tina ensures that the yacht captain and crew will have a perfect time in Antigua.”
For the Caribbean concierge who is hard-wired for providing exceptional customer service, a captain saying he had a perfect stay in Antigua is as priceless as a $10,000 tip from a Saudi King. For more information, visit: cssantigua.com
Tim Cotroneo is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer specializing in Caribbean travel, business, and golf.
