With support from a BLP Small Grant, business owner Thomas Marchand has transformed Salty Dog Yacht Services, a small rural yacht services operation in Tonga, into a more resilient and professional business.
Salty Dog Yacht Services is based in the rural Vaipua area of Vava’u, one of Tonga’s main island groups. The business provides repairs, maintenance, welding, fabrication and skippering, as well as yacht management for overseas owners and support for the boat-building community.
Although demand for his services was high, Thomas faced challenges working in the boatyard. He needed a sheltered structure to protect his workspace from heat and rain, store his tools and provide office space. The lack of clean drinking water on site also put his wellbeing at risk.
To address these challenges, Thomas planned the purchase of a 20-foot container to be used as a workshop, storage space and office as well as a water tank – but the business could not cover the full cost. “….it is hard enough to have income to sustain yourself while growing the business as well,” he said.
The solution came when Thomas learned about BLP’s Small Grants. The grant funded ground preparation and renovations to the container and enabled the roof to be fitted to collect rainwater for drinking.
“The grant helped us look more professional,” Thomas said. “Clean water will be used not only by me, but by the whole community as well.”
Climate resilience
Thomas’s business is now more climate resilient. Tonga experiences extremely high summer temperatures, and the grant has helped him create a more stable working environment. The container also strengthens the long-term sustainability of the business by providing protection during extreme weather events such as cyclones.
With BLP’s support, Thomas is demonstrating his commitment to the wider community. He is also creating opportunities for young people by offering internships to those interested in learning the craft.
“The grant increased my credibility in Vaipua and created opportunities to generate more business,” Thomas said.
Before starting his own business, Thomas worked with a local village mechanic for four years until the business closed during COVID-19. With nine years of boat repair experience, he went on to establish Salty Dog Yacht Services. What could have been an ending became the beginning of his own business journey.
Thomas credits the boatyard community with helping him through his business journey, describing it as a network of businesses that support one another to survive.
Thomas’s next step is to merge with a local mechanic. He is also developing plans to run workshops that teach people how to build fibreglass boats.
With improved infrastructure, access to clean water and a more secure workspace, Salty Dog Yacht Services is better placed to grow sustainably and serve the Vava’u boating community. BLP’s support has helped Thomas strengthen his business, build resilience to climate challenges and create new opportunities for skills development in Tonga.
BLP facilitates access to business advisory services and financial support.
To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.
The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.