kishco

and start over in theTurks and Caicos.Theybegan by renting a small store in Providenciales–one of the onlycommercial buildings in existence at that time– and imported vegetables,water,and other beverages from the DR and sold themat reasonable prices. Kishco expanded into electronics and appliances, reducing their clients’cost of living and increasing the general standard of living in theTCI Islands.They invested in a boat for the vegetable haul from the DR; opened a second location in GrandTurk in 1998; and developed Kishco into a household name in Turks and Caicos. BusinessViewrecently spokewith General Man- ager and current owner,Sahil Mahtani,about the challenges,growth,and future of Kishco and its sister entity,Kostco,in theTurks and Caicos Islands: BVM:Was the company’s evolution bymaster vision,or circumstance,or opportunity? SM: “I think the initial visionwas to become a one- stop shop for the people of theTurks and Caicos.The KISHCO TRADING LTD. speed of growth of theTurks and Caicos in the late 1990s and early2000s was veryunexpected given howundeveloped the Islands were at that time. “We currentlyhave 40 employees,and cover the entireTurks and Caicos Islands.At one point,we had six locations.Since the newmanagement team took over in 2015,we have been in the process of restruc- turing the company to differentiate product,since everythingwas in close proximity to each other.Now the stores are separate entities based on product. Kishco operates themain Providenciales and Grand Turk location.Kostco operates the location that holds clothing and the larger section of the cosmetics.” BVM:What is your customer base,andwhat are your prime revenue drivers? SM: “We try to cover the full gamut of residential and commercial solutions.Our clients range from million-dollar villa owners to our valued everyday local client.We are the leaders in furniture,electron- ics,and appliances here.We represent GEAppliances,