ROB and Paul Forkan, co-founders of flipflop brand Gandys, aim to partner with Caribbean distributors to sell their fast growing beach-wear brand. It shows that foreign companies see potential profits in the ailing local economy.

“We are open to partners,” Rob told the Business Observer after addressing a group of entrepreneurs at Nanook, a creative arts and meeting space in Kingston. “At the end of the day it comes down to finding the right partners,” he said. The UK company currently distributes its flip-flops and bracelets to some 25 nations.

The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship hosted the brothers along with the UK press, through the support of its lead business partner Virgin Holidays. The centre hosted two events, one at its Montego Bay base and another in Kingston. Rob noted that foreign brands Havaianas and Ipanema dominate the Jamaican market, based on his investigations. He estimates these brands to each earn some US$1 billion annually in global sales.

“We want a piece of that,” he said, adding that Gandys made some US$2 million in sales last year — its second year of operation. “If we drive more marketshare, then it will drive more projects with the Children’s home,” he said of the company, whose mantra entails “orphans helping fellow orphans”.

Ten years ago, while living in India and vacationing in Sri Lanka, the brothers’ both parents died in the 2004 Tsunami, on Boxing Day, that killed more than 250,000 people. The company aims to give a portion of profits to to help orphans in developing countries. “So 10 per cent of the profits go to charity, and we also set up a foundation,” Rob said.

Rob told the Business Observer that cash-strapped entrepreneurs in Jamaica can find ways to access capital whether locally or overseas. “If you have a good idea and you can show that it will make money, then you will make money and investors will follow,” said Rob on financing. Gandys raised start-up capital from a millionaire backer.

Paul explained that the brothers posed as successful businessmen. Then, rather than simply seeking financing, they held a selection process among millionaires who they had competing for investment opportunities in their company.

“It was perfect, two guys with over 100 million pounds arguing about who would make a better investor,” Paul recalled. The Branson Centre aims to skyrocket the number of businesses it mentors from 60 to 400 annually by accepting participants outside Jamaica — from Barbados, Trinidad and St Lucia.

The centre offers business insight, training, networking and investment opportunities. It’s the latest expansion for the Branson Centre which began with a branch in South Africa.