Posted By Tom W. on Jan 16, 2014 in Beach Bar Bums | 6 comments

Tagged: allington creque, british virgin islands, bvi, gumption, richard branson, sea it clear glass bottom boat

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I first met Allington Creque, better know as Gumption, through Instagram. His pictures from the British Virgin Islands grabbed my attention and when I found out his family had been involved for years in the beach bar on Prickly Pear Island, I knew I had to interview him. When I later discovered he was friends with Sir Richard Branson (whom he refers to as “Richie”) and regularly visited him on Necker Island, I couldn’t help myself and contacted Gumption.

Due to the sheer number of interview requests he receives due to his story, Gumption normally has to politely decline but agreed to an email exchange with me when I explained to him my idea for the article. The story of Gumption and his relationship with Sir Richard Branson is well documented online. Gumption, Sir Richard Branson himself and others have written numerous articles on it. What I wanted to accomplish was to tell a little bit of the story behind the story – to get a glimpse of Gumption beyond his friendship with Sir Richard Branson. The result is a little bit of Gumption and a slice of the story beyond the billionaire.

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Your business has taken off and is doing very well. Do you miss the life you had before? If you had to do it all over again, would you?

“No I don’t miss the life I used to have, because im still doing what I use to do, I use to work on jobs and windsurfing whenever I have a chance from work.”

When you get free time to yourself, what do you like to do?

“When I have free time I love to windsurfing if there is wind. I enjoy putting a bunch of photos & video together and making a slide show that will later be on youtube. Sometimes I let the dj side of me take over and make dj mix tapes or jump on my online reggae radio & just play a bunch or very cool reggae songs.”

Do you have a favorite spot in the BVI that you like to visit when you’re not working? What is it that you like about that spot?

“My top place I love to visit when not working is my house. I don’t see it as often as I like. I leave for work at 9am & sometimes not back home till 11:30pm, so I’ll have to say my house where I can chilled & relax. If not my other spots will be Necker Island because the owner/managers & staff are just the best.”

Your mom manages the Sandbox beach bar on Prickly Pear Island. How did she end up in that position?

“The beach bar been in my family from ever since the thoughts of a business on the beach would work. But very happy that today it’s not just a family member that runs it “but” its run & manager by my mother.”

Do you like to visit beach bars? If so, what is your favorite? Besides the Sandbox, of course.

“My top beach bar I love to visit to be 100% truthful is the pool beach bar on Necker Island, top reason I used to bartender on the island & beside its Necker Island. My other choice will be the Cooper Island Beach Club. it’s a must visit if you’re in the BVI.”

There are other companies on Virgin Gorda that offer the same service that you do. What sets you apart? Why should people book a tour with Sea It Clear?

“For now we are the only glass bottom boat in the bvi that is 100% up and running. People should book with us because we are truly the best in what we do; we are the Caribbean most active glass bottom boat. When you book with us you’re booking with a business that is all about positive change. A percent of the guest money goes to protecting the turtles in the BVI & they get a 1st hand inside review about the BVI & Gumption. Most guest have said that being with myself gumption is worth the adventure alone.”

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If someone else was thinking of starting a business in the BVI, what words of advice would you offer them?

“I would say to anyone who’s willing to start a new business in the BVI, is to find the meaning of being in business, have a passion of your goal, money will come, but don’t just focus on the money. 1st focus in building a relationship with your customers. Don’t be shy to try new thing & take risk, take advantage of the social networks & used them to your best advantage. Personality goes a far way in doing anything. Most important don’t let the bad comment of trip advisor or from anyone kill your self-esteem, but used it to better yourself and make you & the business stronger.”

In closing, what do you love the most about your job? What keeps you coming back day after day?

“I love most about my job is that it’s something that I don’t mind waken up every day and doing. I been planning in owning a glass bottom boat for 13th years. Each trip I do is with the same passion as when I did my 1st tour. I love my job because it’s given me the 100% freedom to express Gumption and that’s what my guest looking forward to.”

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For more on Gumption’s story and his business, Sea It Clear Glass Bottom Boat, please click on the following links:

Gumption’s Blog
Virgin.com
Romanticluxuryvillas.com
Sea It Clear Glass Bottom Boat Facebook page
Trip Advisor