Gina Empson
Founder and Director, Nevis Vanilla Paradise

From Financial statements to hand-pollinating vanilla plants, how an entrepreneur followed her dream.

With an entrepreneurial spirit and after a successful career as a Chartered Accountant in both the United Kingdom and Switzerland, where she established her own accounting firm and a payroll company, Gina has decided to pursue her long-standing passion for botany.

Fate led Gina to the picturesque tropical island of Nevis, where she recognized that the climate and terrain are perfect for cultivating vanilla, a plant that may have even been brought to the Caribbean at the time of the Conquistadores, in early 16th century.

Gina decided to take the leap and embark on a new venture. In 2022, she bought land and established Vanilla Paradise in Nevis Ltd, an organic vanilla farm with a strong emphasis on sustainability as the foundation of the business. In early 2023, the farm was officially granted a Business and Occupation License by the Nevis Island administration. 

Growing premium quality vanilla is an arduous and time-consuming process, with hand-pollination being a vital step. Despite the challenges, Gina's determination has led to an early sample harvest in February 2023, marking a significant milestone for the farm. She is now busy planting several thousand beautiful vanilla orchids to be able to increase production and put Nevis firmly on the world's vanilla production map.

Vanilla Paradise Nevis stepped into 2024 with ambition, featuring three shade houses nurturing 1,500 vanilla vines. The farm has become an attraction for vanilla enthusiasts, welcoming visitors from the local community and tourists, eager to immerse themselves in the rich history of vanilla in Nevis and the Caribbean.

The farm's beauty has been amplified by the creative touch of local Nevisian artists, whose beautiful works now grace the grounds. Adding to the charm, materials unearthed during land clearance have been whimsically repurposed into more artefacts.

Summer 2024 marked a pivotal moment in the journey: the decision was taken to double shade house capacity. It will take a good 6-9 months to build them and thus pave the way for even more vanilla vines to flourish. Looking ahead, a vanilla processing plant is being planned, ensuring the farm is well-equipped for bountiful harvests in the years to come.

Gina is thrilled to have you alongside her and the Vanilla Paradise Team. You are invited to explore the pages of our Journal and join us on Facebook.

Your support fuels Gina’s passion as she strives to put Nevis firmly on the world’s vanilla production map.