 ExpatWomen Interview with Erica Gragg & Melissa Perlman
Bikini Boot Camp is all about feeling good about yourself and having fun while getting into great shape. The relaxing, beautiful setting, along with fresh, healthy meals, and days filed with exercise and interesting excursions, make for a perfect way to get your body bikini ready while having a lot of FUN. The results are magical, as you leave feeling lighter, mentally and physically.
ExpatWomen: Erica and Melissa, please tell us… what is the Bikini Boot Camp and how did you come up with the idea?
Erica & Melissa: After years of traveling by myself and always finding myself saying this place would be great IF only they served healthy food or if only they had more comfortable beds or if only there were other healthy minded travelers, I decided to make that kind of place. The idea had been brewing in my head for quite some time but after 9/11 it become a natural choice to do something that would help other people and allow us to live in a beautiful healthy environment.
ExpatWomen: How did you meet and what were you doing before you became Bikini Boot Campers?
Erica & Melissa: Erica and I met through mutual friends.She was working in Public Relations and I was traveling the world working on various entreprenual projects which converged into Bikini Boot Camp.
ExpatWomen: You run your Bikini Boot Camp in Tulum, Mexico. Why did you choose Tulum?
Erica & Melissa: Tulum has always been a special place for me. I had been visiting there for 8 years before deciding it was the place for Bikini Boot Camp. It is accessible from almost all US cities, and boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and has a magical feel to the place.
ExpatWomen: Did you both move to Tulum from the US, specifically for this venture?
Erica & Melissa: Yes, we both moved from the US specifically to start BBC. It was a big leap of faith for Erica but we both knew we were onto something and figured that the worst case scenario would be an adventure!
ExpatWomen: What are some of the challenges that you have faced, as expats and as entrepreneurs in Mexico?
Erica & Melissa: It has been quite frustrating setting up and running a business in Mexico to say the least. We have faced challenging working with the Mexican government, obtaining permits and have been subjected to laws that nobody else in the zone is subjected to. We have paid for services to accountants and lawyers and gotten very unprofessional service, we have had to learn how to deal with a manana attitude. It has also been challenging to live in a zone with no water or electricity services. Despite all of this we continue to do great press for the Riviera Maya and for the town of Tulum and have single handedly brought Tulum to the attention of thousands of upper income tourist. Previous to Amansala and Bikini Boot Camp, it was mainly backpackers.
ExpatWomen: What have been some of your sweetest rewards?
Erica & Melissa: Being able to do a job that helps people feel better about themselves and being able to wake up to the sound of the waves every day of the year and eat fresh delicious fish.
ExpatWomen: Thank you very much Erica and Melissa we wish you all the very best for Amansala’s continued success.
Erica & Melissa: Thank you and the same to you! |
