Born in the Virgin Islands (VI), the 31 year-old’s infant and teenage life bared witness to different cultures and lifestyles, broadening his knowledge of the planet at an early age, as his family sailed the equator. “My family sailed West on the equator, mainly staying in the tropics, keeping to the warmer climates. Cold weather didn’t agree with us,” he said.

With parents of different nationalities, a French mother and an American father, the Young Professional led an exceptional lifestyle, going to different High Schools across the world. He commented “we were never more than six months in a single place. I experienced so much diversity in my life, but I was always left with curiosity and intrigue about my own country of origin, the Virgin Islands.

“The necessity to know more about the country of my birth was very strong and fortunately, when I finally did return here to live, it turned out to be my favourite place,” Mr. Rathbun added. “My return to the VI occurred when I was 17.”

The Young Professional, who is the CEO of two highly successful companies, A Looking Glass and Tortola Express, expressed the difficulty with attempting to compare his upbringing with a person who has grown up in a fixed location. “Because I never had that upbringing, I can’t really compare them,” said the entrepreneur. “I can imagine what it would have been like to grow up in a house, have neighbours and have long lasting friendships now, but back when I was sailing the world with my family, it was just a set standard for me to live that way and I never questioned it.

“Sometimes you did have a migration season where boats would line up with one another and you would have a community of sorts, heading to a certain destination, but the idea of comparing growing up on land never bothered me, because life on the boat was what I was accustomed to.”

Discussing the seeds of his professional career, the CEO talked about his motions when he returned to the VI and how he began working occupations that would allow him to save money. “I was a windsurfing instructor, I did a little bit of chartering and bar tending; all jobs to raise some money so that I could study,” he said. “I went to the University of Miami, achieved a double Major in Advertising and Marine Science Affairs and a Minor in Business, however, when I returned to the VI, there were no vacancies in the advertising industry.”

As a result of slimmer opportunities in the advertising world, Mr. Rathbun made the bold decision start his own company and compete. “I started A Looking Glass as a form of competing in the advertising industry, funding it with the money I had saved and investors I had convinced to join me,” said the Young Professional. “We do graphic design for major telecommunication companies, Trust organisations, through to law firms. We produce business cards, brochures, or even huge adverting campaigns for instance. We have our own magazine as well ‘The Property and BVI Yacht Guide’ as well as Newbie, a fresh one with the first issue coming out later this year.”

“Our goal with A Looking Glass is to have a small niche of clients, who we fully look after, maintaining a personal touch,” he continued.  “My other company, Tortola Express is an air freight company, which is divided into two parts. We have our cargo office at the airport, which deals with shipping of larger items internationally. The other sector is the parcel service.

“We were the first ones to bring a parcel service to the VI with a Miami address, and that has been extremely popular. My late father and I came up with the idea after talking about shipping of products that customers order online like with Ebay or Amazon. We wanted to present an easy, safe and financially sound way for people to receive their orders, because a lot of these services will not ship to the VI or the USVI, making the existing services incomplete.

Commenting on his drive to create and develop these organisations, the Young Professional said: “I am motivated by hearing positive results from something that I have put a lot of effort into. It’s very rewarding. A Looking Glass and Tortola Express are both doing very well and it is good feeling to overhear people talking confidently about a service that you have invested time and hard work into.

“Similarly, if I hear something negative, it drives me to work harder and resolve that issue,” he added.

In reference to his professional success, Mr. Rathbun said “I felt I was given a broader perspective of people with travelling. The Virgin Islands being such a transient place for many of our customers has meant I have had to adapt to that style and having been in a transient position in the past has made me more flexible to client’s necessities.”

The entrepreneur continued saying: “Everything I have done to this point has had some significance, so I wouldn’t change anything,” he continued. “I know that with running a business, College was intricate to my success.

“However, I can’t really say I ever had a specific ambition from the beginning with all this. Growing up on the boat, the environment was different from what most people are used to and I wasn’t really asked the question of my future goals by adults. “

The entrepreneur shared his perspective on job opportunities from an employer’s perspective, commenting, “Part of the aspects that make the VI great are also difficult as a business owner. Like many fellow Virgin Islanders, I’m glad that we are very strict about our border policies and labour codes, but simultaneously, some of those labour restrictions can add significant stress to business when recruiting employees. We do not want to open our borders, because the demand to gain access is far greater than what we can supply, but the labour application process can make it very difficult to catch quick-growth opportunities for a business that wishes to expand.”

When discussing the future, the entrepreneur said: “In the near future, I see myself here in the Virgin Islands with my family, because I’m very family orientated. I hope to expand my business and I would love to continue pursuing my passion in sail boat racing. We won the Spring Regatta last year, but came second this year so that’s something I really enjoy and wish to continue.”

Concluding, Mr. Rathbun said “I’m a small town kind of person which is why I’ve chosen to stay in the VI as opposed to all the other places I’ve travelled to. I like the community spirit, the more relaxed feeling and like that you can walk down the street and most likely bump into someone you know. Also the honesty and safety is comforting – if I accidentally leave my car open, and walk away I know it will likely be safe.

“Perhaps one of the best feelings is that I can go on holiday, enjoy myself and be one of the few people who can say, ‘I look forward to returning home’,” he ended.