Mark Twain rightfully said that heaven was copied after Mauritius — its mountains, forests, infinite horizons, and underwater life are out of this world. But it's up to us to protect this (and every other) habitat, and to keep paradises around the world alive. Romina, a Mexican entrepreneur, saw in Mauritius more than luxurious resorts and short-term beach holidays — she saw an opportunity to raise awareness among Mauritius' visitors and residents for a conscious way of living and travelling. Romina shares with Expat.com her aspirations for Mauritius Conscious and her highlights in her adopted island.
Hi Romina, can you tell us a few things about you yourself?
Hi! I'm Romina, a happy Mexican living a simple life in my adopted island of Mauritius. It's my love for travelling and for my partner in crime — my Mauritian Gerald — that brought me to this side of the world. A few years ago I was studying Sustainable Tourism in Switzerland, and from there I flew to Abu Dhabi to work in hospitality. In Abu Dhabi I met Gerald, who didn't need to ask me twice to come and live with him in Mauritius.
How did you get your idea for Mauritius Conscious Guide?
We both wanted to change jobs and lifestyle to something more purposeful — that´s how the idea of Mauritius Conscious Guide came to life. It was a mash-up of my passion for sustainable development and Gerald's love for his country. I wanted to use tourism as a tool to develop destinations by shining a light on small, local businesses, and eco-friendly services and products. Gerald knew the perfect place to put my vision into practice.
Why is Mauritius a good place for a conscious start-up?
First, because there is a real need for consciousness here. Mauritius is like a cow that will only be milked a few more times before it dries out — unless it's managed consciously. The fact that Gerald is a local, also influenced our decision to set up our business here. Launching a new (and innovative) business requires good understanding of the market, not to mention a local partner in terms of business incorporation, bureaucracy, contacts, know-how, etc. We basically had a door open here and in Mexico, but Mauritius´ size and market is more manageable for a first timer.
What's the process to start a business in Mauritius?
It´s quite easy if you are well prepared and patient. We submitted our desired company name in the Registrar of Companies, in Port Louis. Once they told us that the name was available (not similar to other existing ones), we incorporated the company, and that gave us a Business Registration Number (BRN). That's pretty much it until you start operations. A few months later we also registered in the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) to do VAT declaration when needed.
What makes Mauritius Conscious unique?
Its sustainable approach. We are committed to include and to benefit directly the local community, it´s economy, and the natural environment on which they depend. Our work includes from protecting species to raising awareness about how our small daily actions can have an impact on our habitat. Did you know that there are reef-friendly sunscreens that protect your skin without damaging the corals?
Another thing is our emphasis to showcase Mauritius´ authenticity. We drive travelers and new-comers away from the sun and sand, luxury destination cliché, and more into the island's essence — between forests, villages, bus rides, and street food stalls.
Can you describe your day as an entrepreneur in Mauritius?
It´s not very exciting, I can tell you! I wake up very early to do some yoga and clean the house. From 9am onwards I am working on my computer, phone, meetings ... until 9pm, sometimes later. At this stage all the work for Mauritius Conscious is done by three people – from administrative and financial planning to marketing, sales, distribution, content creation, website development. We hope that in time we will be able to afford some help, and this will change.
What is your favourite thing about Mauritius, and what is your least favourite?
Top on my list are hiking and diving! I can´t get enough of them. Mauritius has mountains, national parks, caves, and even the possibility to hike on water to islets near the shore. We always find something exciting to do during the weekends.
My least favorite thing is the amount of pollution everywhere you go. The wrong belief that throwing garbage out of the window or into the sea is the way to get rid of it. Also the mega-developments approved by the government (Smart Cities, IRS, petroleum hub) that damage the natural richness of the island.
What motivates you?
The beauty of Mauritius when I go out and experience it. The immediate need for help, organization, and action. The e-mails from Mauritians and travelers saying “thank you for doing this”.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Our Mauritius Conscious launch event where many of our partners gathered to welcome us was very powerful and motivating. Also the high response from users of our #IslandLife pass and guide nourishes the soul.
What is the toughest decision you had to make in the past few months?
Being at our beginning, it is difficult to tell if we should be patient and try a little bit more, or stop wasting time (and money), and try something different before it's too late. Bearing in mind that we are still a start-up and not a business quite yet, we need to be very flexible and responsive to tests and feedback. Giving up on models we have worked so hard for is very, very hard.
What has surprised you the most about Mauritius?
It surprises me how much it is there to see and do in terms of nature and sports. Places and activities are incredibly varied and beautiful for such a small island! But not everything is perfect – it was also a surprise to find so much poverty, so many homes made of iron sheets, street dogs and cats, so much pollution…
What new habits have you developed in Mauritius? And what old habits have you quit?
Waking up early is my favorite Mauritian habit. It comes naturally when the sun and the birds are so prevalent at 6am. I started using the public transport to go absolutely everywhere, which I never did before. But I also started eating fried food, which I used to hate. You know, you can't say no to gato pima and a samosa every now and then.
How does the entrepreneurship world in Mauritius look like?
Promising. I´m proud of being part of an actual movement in Mauritius and around the world. There are events, brunches, and contests being organized and well attended. Mauritius Conscious exists among business incubators (The Turbine), co-working spaces (The Hive, The Ground), and international communities of freelancers and entrepreneurs (DodoWorkPlay). The government has also implemented good guidance and financial support programs like MyBiz, so basically is just a matter of digging into it.
What is something that you would like to do in Mauritius but haven't had the opportunity to do yet?
Parasailing! Also watching the sunset or sunrise from the top of a mountain. And dive more, all around the island. I would also like to spend a weekend in a nice hotel, and have a fresh breakfast served on my terrace (hope Gerald is reading).
Can you share your most memorable experience in Mauritius?
Oh they´re so many! Maybe when we sneaked-hiked to the top of Le Morne mountain. The entrance was still prohibited then, so it was an adventure to make it to the top on our own. Seeing the whole southwestern lagoon at our feet is one of the most beautiful impressions I've ever had. The second one is when I dove in a spot called The Aquarium in Flic-en-Flac. Simply gorgeous.
Have you had a moment that you almost felt like leaving from Mauritius? What held you back?
It was never so bad as to want to leave, but to be honest the first months were exasperating. I didn't understand a word of Creole, and Gerald was always speaking it. I didn´t have a job, and my savings where running out, not to mention my tourist visa. Finally, we got married and I received my residence permit, and my Creole got better with time. Since then, life in Mauritius feels better month after month.
If you could do the move to Mauritius over, what would you do differently?
Probably I would come first to visit before making the big move, so I know what to expect and lessen the shock. No matter how much you read about it, you only truly understand it once you are here.
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out in Mauritius what would it be?
Go through Mauritius Conscious first! And talk to people who are in similar circumstances to yours. In Mauritius, bureaucratic information is badly organized and highly misleading. It was a hassle to get married because every officer had a different way of understanding the law. It was only until I went through forums like the Expat.com, and met people who had done it before, that I found a reliable exit to my case.
What are your plans for the future?
Get Mauritius Conscious run smoothly, hire a team to help us, and then scale Conscious Travel Ltd to other sensible destinations in the world, starting with the Indian Ocean and Africa.
What is one thing that you will take with you from Mauritius?
A phase of incredible growth and happiness. Personally, professionally and family-wise, Mauritius will always be the place where all my dreams started.
