How do you make a living in a small community? Diversify!

Javi & Marla 

Earning a living in a small community can be daunting, but for energetic and resourceful people, it can be an interesting adventure.  When Javier Martinez Cen and Marla J. Bainbridge teamed up romantically and professionally, their world got a lot more interesting.

Javi’s family, Martinez, is one of the oldest families on Isla Mujeres. He has spent his entire life on the island, except for a few vacations to Canada, Germany and the USA. Grinning Javi added he was actually born in Mérida. He is not sure if his mother planned to have him in Mérida or if she just happened to be visiting family when Javi made his debut. 

Not long after they joined forces, Marla created a spreadsheet for Javi, with the week blocked out in one-hour segments, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It was a simple demonstration that they would have a plan where and when they worked, as sleep was a non-negotiable line item on the spreadsheet. 

Toso, Julio, and Javi part of Banda Sin Nombre

In previous years, Javi tried a variety of jobs. He worked on the reception desk at the Cristal Mar Hotel and as a guide at the turtle farm. He also tried his hand at lobster fishing and boat cleaning, but music was always the main motivation in his life. 

Taught at an early age by his dad, Toso, Javi later expanded his music education in Mérida. His grandfather and uncle were also musicians, and his dad still plays a mean bass guitar in La Banda Sin Nombre. However, for Javi, playing a late-night gig at Fayne’s and then reporting to work at the middle school at 6:45 in the morning was not going to be successful in the long term. It doesn’t matter how young you are, eventually the body says: stop!

Javi and his bud.  

On the other hand, Marla, who was originally an Alabama girl, moved to Isla Mujeres about three and a half years ago. She has lived in several American cities and states, and enjoys the challenge of re-inventing herself when presented with new opportunities. Marla readily admits that when she was in high school, she was an awful student; she had absolutely no interest. Several years later, she decided she was bored and needed a new challenge. She enrolled in Pepperdine University in California, and breezed through her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

Moving to Isla, she realized she had to cast a large net over the island to find job opportunities and business ideas. Creating websites and promotional ideas for various island businesses, plus property management for eight homes, got her started. The property management led to purchasing the web-based business Isla Mujeres Budget Rentals, offering booking services between several lower-priced properties and tourists. This has expanded to include Isla Mujeres Vacation Rentals for mid-priced properties and Isla Mujeres Luxury Rentals for the higher-end properties.  

Another one of their business ventures

Creative and restive, her mind is never still, so Marla came up with two more inventive ideas. Dinnertainment: private dinner parties hosted in your home, condo, or apartment, complete with music.  And Transportainment: Javi tours clients to the off-the-beaten-path locations of Isla Mujeres, complete with a local history lesson.

Just when I thought they had revealed all their business secrets, an early morning email informed me of their newest venture, Isla Iguana Tag, to be launched in November.  According to Marla, “it’s an updated version of a scavenger hunt where teams use their smartphones to join in the fun, and are given a list of challenges to compete for points. It’s a great way to see the island, and to visit local attractions or businesses.” 

 

With all of these enterprises rolling along, Marla realized an important fact about herself. She enjoys developing new business ideas. Her criteria for a great business venture are simple: the joy derived must be more than the time spent and the money earned.  

Javi wants to be a good husband and a good dad to his thirteen-year-old daughter, Ambar, and to lead a balanced, happy life. 

Hasta Luego 

Lynda and Lawrie

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