A Beach Less Traveled - Hardcover

John Berglund

3.86

28 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1937110311 ISBN 13: 9781937110314

Publisher: Emerald Book Company, 2012

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The remarkable story of a happily married couple who abandoned the corporate rat race to open a perfumery and create their own custom lines of fragrances in the French Caribbean

What originated in a family vacation on the beach eventually became an unlikely but thriving business--a perfumery on the French-Dutch island of Saint Martin. Though he chose a career in law, John Berglund's passion lay in the chemistry sets of his youth and his lifelong fascination with perfume. Berglund eventually built a full-fledged lab in the basement of his home in Atlanta, where he spent countless hours of free time experimenting with new concoctions. He began to dream of opening a perfumery in a tranquil island paradise and ultimately set out to make it happen--no matter what.

Berglund's account of his Caribbean adventure is a fun-filled, factual tale of conflicts, contrasts, and celebrations. As he and his wife, Cyndi, embed themselves in the eccentric French-side community of Grand Case, they learn incredible lessons about business, success, and themselves. Their story may just inspire others, too, to follow in their footsteps, trading business casual attire for a pair of shorts and flip-flops.

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About the Author:

John Berglund has had a varied and successful career, starting as a chief county prosecuting attorney at age twenty-four, after which he became a lobbyist and trade association executive. Throughout his career one relatively unknown commonality remained: Berglund's avocation for chemistry and the creation of chemical compounds, which he put to use when he relocated to Saint Martin and opened his perfumery, Tijon.

Berglund's soul mate and business partner is his wife of over thirty years, Cyndi, who brings her vivacious personality and talent for jewelry design and customer service to Tijon. Cyndi, a former physical education teacher, award winning bed-and-breakfast operator, retail manager, and corporate employee, has been John's primary assistant in his formulations and first responder to many smell tests.

In between these endeavors, Cyndi and John raised the couple's two children, Rachelle and T.J., both now adults living in San Diego.

Review:

"My wife and I met the Berglunds when we visited their perfumery on Saint Martin and we were amazed by their adventurous energy and passion. A Beach Less Traveled sizzles with the same enthusiasm--the driving force behind their incredible business venture in the tropics."
- Tito Francona, Major League Baseball Player, 1956-1970

"A Beach Less Traveled is a paean to the good life, joie de vivre, and savoir faire. Lie down, relax, feel the sun, smell the sea, sip a 'ti punch, and discover a much slower and simpler way to life. It's an island life, mon, and you're going to love it..."
-Mark Greenside, author of I'll Never Be French (No Matter What I Do)

"A Beach Less Traveled takes the reader through every challenge, every victory, and every touching encounter with the people of a 37-square mile island. A must-read for anyone seeking to make a Caribbean island their home, but also instructive from a business point of view."
-Lisa Burnett, The Daily Herald, Saint Martin, NA

"A fascinating story, made even better by Berglund's talent for balancing pure joy and real sacrifice as he relates his wonderful true adventure. The ultimate how-to book for dreamers."
- Jim Goodwin, Stars & Strikes

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.