JB Tours, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Story By Kathy Matusik¹

MOST PEOPLE WOULD SEE IT AS A bad owmen, a sign to give up: when the cargo ship carrying your dream-the first boat for your new business venture -sinks. Not Jill and Brian Swann, owners of Provo-based J & B Tours. They shed a few tears, shrugged their shoulders and just dug in deeper.

That potentially disastrous event happened five years ago; now the ambitious pair operate eight boats, ranging in size from a 12 foot dinghy to a 24 foot powerboat, and work with a staff of eight. J & B Tours is easily the Turks & Caicos' largest boat charter and excursion operation, with their Cristianna fleet taking thousands of tourists annually on beach cruises, snorkeling and fishing trips and tours of nearby islands. They also offer dive charters and instruction and book sailing and parasailing excursions with local operators.

When you meet "J & B" it's easy to see why the business has prospered. Long Island, New York born-and-bred Jill has a forthright, upbeat personality and infectious laugh that aptly complements Turks Islander Brian's more reserved, but very friendly nature and quiet chuckle. Both possess a strong drive to succeed and no fear of hard work

Jill and Brian met in 1990 when Jill was a photographer at Club Med and Brian worked on local sailing charter Tao. The pair became friends, having the common denominator of not being able to drink alcohol due to health reasons! One day they borrowed a power boat to take New York Rangers hockey star Glenn Anderson on a trip to North Caicos, from where Brian's family originates. Jill recalls, "We had such a wonderful time walking around the settlements and meeting the people with someone who knows the island. It was a natural type of excursion." On the way home, they stopped at Little Water Cay, sat down on the rocks and started planning. "We started dreaming about getting a boat and doing tours of our own. We were both working so hard and taking on a lot of responsibility for other people's businesses, we thought 'why not do it for ourselves?"'

Eight months later, they took out an $11,000 loan and went to Miami to buy the powerboat that would launch their business. Brian remembers, "It was a beautiful 19 foot Reaction with a 235 hp engine. The cargo ship that was to carry it to Provo was full, but the man we had bought the boat from suggested we 'tip' the guy at the dock and he'll get the boat on." The tip worked, but the ship sunk. "We lost everything, we were just crying, we couldn't even talk." It took another five months before they recovered financially and with another loan, finally purchased a 21 foot Dusky, soon dubbed Cristianna, after Brian's late mother. And, just as planned, their first charter returned to North Caicos.

Five years later, Jill's only lament is that she's so busy, she doesn't always get to know all the folks who go out on their boats. Tourists can book excursions through J & B's beach hut locations at Grace Bay Club and Ocean Club, an office at Leeward or by calling Jill & Brian at home-"headquarters central." Here, a plastic calendar in the kitchen helps them juggle charters, boat repairs and crew; the living room overflows with boxes of snacks and soda served on trips; and phone, FAX and VHF radio constantly call for attention. But Jill's pride at their success bursts forth, "We made the business work after a tremendous setback . . . WE STILL DID IT, nothing was gonna stop us. We're winners . . . we're not losers . . . if we're going to do something, we're going to do it right."

The couple also gives credit to their staff, "The eight of us are a team, we're all friends and we work together, we couldn't do it without each other." This closeness was apparent during our interview as crew members constantly walked in and out of the house-planning bonefishing trips for the next day, dropping off a wahoo fillet for dinner, checking on a boat part-although Jill and Brian admit that "we could use a little more privacy sometimes."

Another key to their success? Brian states, "Our motto is that the guests are paying the bill so we like to make sure they have a good time-they're very important to us." He adds, "What we always try to do is make our customers happy. It's my job to smile."

For first-time visitors to the Islands, the Swanns recommend a three-hour beach cruise, "It's our most popular trip, it's the thing to do here. You can see the iguanas, walk on deserted beaches, go snorkeling. There's plenty of opportunity to leave the boat for those who get seasick, and on a power boat you can see a lot in half a day."

Both Jill and Brian agree that the best part of their jobs is talking with the tourists. Brian muses, "What makes you feel lucky to work down here is listening to people tell you their life stories, what they're going through, what it's like where they live. It makes me wonder what I ever have to complain about!"

Last summer, in a romantic, island-style wedding at the Grace Bay Club, Jill & Brian got married. Local Pastor Derrick Hamilton performed the honors, but at the reception, some of Jill's Jewish family traditions stole the show. For the future, the Swanns are considering expanding their diving operations-they are training natives to be dive instructors-but also anticipate "slowing down and catching our breath. As the business becomes bigger, it becomes harder to control." And although it's hard to imagine now, Jill would like to move to a less-developed island, like North Caicos, if Provo gets too populated.

But no matter what, Jill and Brian will likely do it as a team. Brian says, "Sometimes it's hard for us to work together, because everyone has their opinion, their own way of thinking, that this or that will be the best way. But overall, it's been all right. We're able to work through our differences." Jill counters, "Just all right? It's been great!" I know that's what Brian meant.

¹Spring 1995 - Times of the Islands