‘I think Covid gave us the opportunity that we could work from anywhere’ - Local entrepreneurs embrace island life while working in Barbados

Paula Heaney, from Fahan, founder Skinny Malinky’s Cold Pressed Juice, and Laura Bonner from Greencastle is the CEO of the  Muff Liquor Co.

The Inishowen women applied for the 12-month Barbados ‘Welcome Stamp’ visa last year, and having been living in the tropical destination for three months. 

The 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp, is a visa that allows you to relocate and work from one of the world’s most beloved tourism destinations.

Speaking to the ‘Journal’ from the sunshine, Paula and Laura said they applied for the Welcome Stamp “on a whim” and by November the pair were on the same flight from London.

Laura said that even though she has no problem travelling solo, she was glad to have Paula as a travel companion.

“I was very grateful that Paula was with me, being able to quarantine with each other and settle in,” she said. Laura has remained in the Old Town area where the pair quarantined together, while Paula has moved south “where the waves are” for surfing.

The requirements of the Barbados Welcome Stamp are that you can work remotely, and earn a minimum of $50,000 (£36,000).
The Inishowen women keep Irish working hours, and are currently only four hours behind GMT.

Laura said: “We work really hard during the week, on Irish hours, and then at the weekend we try and meet up amongst ourselves.

“We are currently four hours behind, then in March it will be five. Ideally, I would like to be four hours ahead of everybody, as sometimes I wake up and I panic for a few minutes to make sure everything is okay.

“I think Covid gave us the opportunity that we could work from anywhere. We’re all doing Zooms anyway. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything because I can’t see any of my friends or my family anyway.

“To be honest people didn’t know I was out here until last week.

“If I was in Ireland I wouldn’t lift my phone for a good 45 minutes in the morning, whereas now it’s jumping out of bed straight away to see it. But don’t get me wrong, it’s a sacrifice I’m happy to make.”

Paula added: “I love an early start. I’m up at 5am every day anyway. I’ve always preferred to be up early and get things done but I suppose 5am is 9am, so I feel like I’m always a bit behind.

“I’m the same as Laura, I like to get up to a bit of exercise, have a coffee, take my time, and now it’s phone straightaway.”

The local entrepreneurs have also taken inspiration from their tropical surroundings, with Paula hoping to create some new juices inspired by Barbados, while Laura will be using the opportunity to make ‘Muff Rum’ from the island, to add to the company’s portfolio. 

“Barbados has the number one sugar cane in the world, which is the no 1 ingredient for rum, so where best to actually learn it while I’m out here from the experts. 

“Everyone is so lovely, they don’t look at me as a competitor, and they’re going to teach me,” said Laura. 

Looking to the future, Laura hopes to come home in July and August, and then return to Barbados for a while before her visa expires in November.

“It depends on the business,” she said. “If any of our big orders that are currently suspended continue on and I’m required to go somewhere else, I’m going to go wherever the work takes me. I’ve loved the opportunity but I’m going to wait and see, but it’s been an amazing time.”

However, Paula wants to stay in Barbados “forever.”

“My dream has always been to live on a tropical island where I can surf every day in a bikini and make money while I sleep.

“I’m not making enough money yet, but I’m doing everything that I want to and that’s amazing,” she said.

Laura added that she believes her business has improved since making the move to Barbados. 

“At home I was constantly worried with the talk of Covid all the time, and I was living with my Dad who is in his 80’s, so there was a constant fear of bringing it home to home, it was horrendous, it really affected me. Being able to come out here and not have any of the responsibilities, it’s been an amazing opportunity and I can’t recommend it enough, get everyone out.

”The quality life here, it’s so peaceful. We meditate, do yoga, and really look after ourselves, our peace of mind and wellness. I feel really incredible, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to come out here,” she said. 

For Paula, it was the impending third lockdown in London that really spurred her on to make the move to the sunshine.

“I was living in London on my own. I did lockdown for three months myself and the dog, and when it was looking like another lockdown, there was no chance I was doing it on my own if I could be on a beach. They’re still taking applications. A lot of people are young, single, entrepreneurs, but there’s also families who have moved out, people with young kids and teenagers.

“But there area a lot of solo travellers, in the same mind-set, digital nomads,” she added. 

For more information about the Barbados Welcome Stamp, visit https://barbadoswelcomestamp.bb/