Kimmora Harrigan.

The 33 year old, born in the Virgin Islands, started by saying “I guess the old saying that I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth springs to mind. In fact, the spoon wasn’t even wooden,” he said. “But, growing up, my parents always found a way to help me financially and I draw a lot of strength from my late mother.”

Mr. Harrigan is a financial regulator in the banking division of the FSC. He is charged with investigating and researching the banks, Class 1 and 2 trust companies, and class 2 restricted companies. In short, Harrigan monitors for fraud and fiscal malpractice in the financial sector of the VI.

“It means that I do due-diligence into directors, senior officers and prepare papers for the Board of Commissions,” continued the FSC official. “I’m on the frontline, protecting the Virgin Islands from any money-laundering or fraud with the intention of keeping the VI financial industry safe.”

Harrigan studied at a community college in Florida and went on to attend Florida State University. His enrolment at FSU helped secure much-needed government scholarships. “When I left the VI for the purpose of studying, it was hard, because I didn’t have the luxury of a scholarship. Despite the fact that my family were not able to afford the Higher Education Tier, my mother just advised me ‘we’ll find a way’ and supported my decision to go regardless of monetary constraints. “

Still, paying for university was a struggle. Harrigan had to learn new strategies to save money in order to earn his degree. “I had to discover innovative methods to survive, for example, I would buy books, photocopy sections relevant to my degree and return them. I was trying to be as economical as possible.”

The Young Professional, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in business administration, returned to the VI, taking a job in the FSC while assessing the necessities of the territory. He questioned the market gaps within the VI infrastructure: “’What don’t we have?’ I questioned. ‘What is missing in the VI?’” said Mr. Harrigan.

After assessing the islands’ needs, Harrigan found a niche in air conditioning duct cleaning. “It was something I could do while upholding my occupation in the FSC and it was untouched by the VI market place. I now have two growing businesses that were born out of my research into the needs of the VI,” he continued. “One of them is Quality Air Services (QAS). It’s the first of its kind in the VI”

Harrigan’s second business, Premier Health Solutions (PHS) focuses primarily on medical waste management. Funded by money earned from his first business, Harrigan began his second venture after discussing the need with hospital administrators he’d worked with through QAS.

“From this, again, I hit the books, doing research into the health industry and the main product I developed from my company was the PHS dispensers, which are touch free machines that allow people to disinfect their hands. They are in the Central Administration Complex and Peebles Hospital.”

The entrepreneur draws his motivation from many places. Primarily, his late mother has been a strong source of encouragement. “In certain situations I say to myself, what would my mother do?” said Mr. Harrigan. “She has instilled that hard work ethic and the sense that nothing in this world is given to you on a silver platter. You must invest the effort to succeed and always put God first.

Costumer relations are a key pillar of Harrigan’s work.  “My businesses aim to specialize with clients and keep their specific personal needs fulfilled, providing a higher level of customer service. It’s an honest service and I want to make sure I do the job accurately and professionally.”

Since beginning a family, the Young Professional admitted that his ambition has evolved from the original idea of three comfortable meals a day to being able to provide a good and decent life for his children and to give back to the community: “Now, I want to make certain that my children are taken care of and I also intend to volunteer money and time to the community to help build the VI.”

Harrigan appreciates the hard times that helped motivate him to work towards the top. “I see myself as well rounded in the sense that I’ve seen hard times,” he added. “I know what it is to not have and so when I’m given something, I’m very appreciative and this in turn has made me more sensitive to other peoples’ situations.”

Looking forward, Mr. Harrigan said “In the future, I would hope that my companies would be able to sustain me financially.” He advised other aspiring professionals that “a lot of the elements key to success are about strong faith and belief in yourself.”