A few days ago I happened to go to a concert at Bonaire Grotto to hear Avantgarde Frequency and discovered Bonaire Estates. I asked pup Witherspoon, co owner, for a tour and interview and she generously gave me about 4 hours of her time! (Pictures enlarge on click)
To say the very least I was highly impressed. Not just with the company she and her partner, Milano Ferrentino (a retired college professor), have created, but with pup herself ( Witherspoon~a retired technical consultant to the logistics, satcomm and software sector). She is brilliant, funny, and kind. To talk with pup is as easy as talking to your best friend. She shared many heart warming stories with me of family, friends and acquaintances in RL and SL and made me laugh many times. ( So much so I think I snorted twice...I don't think she caught the last one though :~P ) I doubt that people that get to know pup are acquaintances for very long, but become family and friends. She knows her residents and treats them with care and respect. I could make a long list of excellent services and amenities of Bonaire, and I will talk about them, but the thing that I took away from the interview more so was values, experience and personality that pup and Milano have formulated into their company...their community.
Many land companies claim to have community but Bonaire doesn't just offer it, they practice it. Both pup and Milano told me that when managers start their shifts, which there are managers available 24/7, they open up group chat and say hello to their community and let them know they are there for them. And guess what...the community talks back! Its not easy to find a stable community in SL. At Bonaire, even their private island residents come in to their "mainland" to take advantage of their amenities.Bonaire is situated north of the BOSL sims,home of all the top designers in SL. In fact residents can sail from their home docks right over to BOSL for world class shopping. There is over 900,000 sqm of sailable water sims and open waterways available to tenants.
They require their Estate Managers to have technical training in computers and SL so they can handle all their residents and the sims needs. Applicants are given in depth interviews and put through tests of their skills. Bonaire pays their staff one of the top commissions and salaries on the grid and has profit sharing for their employees. pup is very proud of her staff and calls them her front line and they affectionately call her mama pup:) She and her staff help residents in anyway they can. From assisting in teaching basic editing of their homes to terraforming. Educational notecards have been made in 10 languages for things like lag hints and tips for their tenants. Residents get the same level of service whether they are renting a large or small parcel. The events venues are open for residents to use free of charge for weddings,etc. Their events coordinator is available for advice on residents home events also.
They care how their residents feel about their experiences in Bonaire and SL in general, even letting residents vote if they want snow or not. They feel that just being able to fix sims is not enough. They want their tenants to enjoy their Second Life and feel that by helping them with the things that cause frustration in SL they can help their residents be more than just satisfied with their SL homes but really flourish and discover what the virtual world can offer. They truly are full service. Bonaire's price policy is that they will not increase rent unless Linden Labs raises teirs. Here though, you get way more than you pay for.
Pup's attention to detail and community in all things is apparent in her designs as well. She has made some special park areas for residents who commune together often. Taking special consideration of the closeness that they share in their land and lives. And never seems to cease to be impressed by her tenants talents and growth.
Bonaire attributes their 4 years of success to steady controlled growth. They make sure they have staff in place BEFORE expansion. At this time there are 420 estates at Bonaire and they average a 85% occupancy rate. Pup tells me that sometimes they allow their estate managers to design sims to give them creative opportunities.
The Artisan paradise is full of amenities. Beginning with the yacht club. Views so stunning you can almost smell and feel the ocean. Artisan Yacht Club offers reasonably priced dock rentals connected to 17 sailing sims. Custom built furnished condos are available by Ericaanne Hastings (E'lan Fine Furniture & Accessories) centered around a champion pool and bar bound to soothe your cares away. Also a 7 Seas fishing kiosk and 3 music venues with events all week long.
Pup talked a lot about her ideas on the potentials of virtual worlds. She shared with me her experiences and knowledge of projects she has been a part of or knows of that used the virtual platform to help their communities, companies and the world. I had inklings myself on this topic but what pup shared with me was inspiring and touching. We discussed the concepts of paralleled business in RL and SL, an idea that has laid in my mind since I saw the first book in SL. Her insights awakened my dormant thoughts to the realization that just because the opportunity has barely been tapped in SL doesn't mean that I shouldn't go forward with my plans.
If you want to be part of a community with caring caretakers, superior recreation and real community, then you need to visit Bonaire Estates.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Marbella/215/158/22
Website:
http://bonaireestates.net/
No bribes, gifts or payments were offered for the writing of this blog.
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