We spoke with David Kafka, a former firefighter and business owner in Charleston, South Carolina. He moved to Belize 11 years ago and hasn’t looked back! He’s now the director of Caribbean Capital Group LLC and a broker/owner of RE/MAX. Read on to learn more about his life in Belize as well as his experience being a #1 Amazon best-selling author.
Wrobel & Co: You have a very interesting story, having been a firefighter for 12 years. How does a firefighter end up living in Belize? When did you move to Belize and why did you choose to move here?
David Kafka: I wanted a place to visit with less rules and regulations. I heard a little about Belize and it being English speaking. So, we decided to come visit and when I got here and met the people and the beautiful country, I was like I need to come back and visit. After several trips and people in Belize remembered me, I knew I had to move here. So, we officially landed in Belize to start a new life here on February 2nd 2010.
W & C: What are the biggest differences you find between the lifestyle here in Belize compared to The United States?
David: In 2010 in Placencia it was a big difference. Lots of food we were used to we couldn’t get or we had to make from scratch and the school system was a bit different then we were used to. Then the laid back nature of the country is different. Now it’s a lot closer than one would think.
W & C: You moved her with your wife and daughter? What do they think of Belize?
David: My daughter moved back to South Carolina when she turned 18. She missed her friends and the conveniences of the US. She now works and goes to school for accounting. She does tell me she misses the simplicity of Belize and how there is no prejudice and judging from friends. My wife and I split up a few years ago but remain friends and she misses Belize she says and does visit as often as she can.
W & C: What happened with your company Supergreen Inc. back in South Carolina?
David: I sold it and paid off all my debt and used the little balance I had to start our life here in Belize.
W & C: What places in Belize would you recommend people for investment in Real Estate?
David: Wow that is a tough question. I guess it depends on the investor’s needs, wants, desires and goals, their portfolio and risk tolerance. The water areas are always popular as well as land. Personally I like affordable housing and acreage, I like agriculture. There is so much opportunity I see in Belize. My mentors taught me to see a problem and then find a solution and there is plenty of that here.
W & C: Do you recommend hiring a lawyer for business ventures in Belize?
David: Yes for sure, I like to say Belize is a sunny place for shady characters. So you always need a lawyer to make sure your interests are taken care of.
W & C: You are a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author; can you tell us more about your book?
David: Yes, I would love to. One of my Mentors is Kyle Wilson, Jim Rohn’s business partner for over 20 years, and he is a master marketer. He came up with these books that are compilations, some with celebrity authorities and then ones like me. They are like 1,500 to 2,000 word chapters and we have a professional editor and publisher. All the proceeds go to a charity. My book is Don’t Quit, Stories of Persistence Courage and Faith. The forward was written by non-other than Mark Victor Hanson and some of the Celebrity Authorities are Lisa Haisha (a speaker, whose husband produced 2 ½ Men) , Todd Stottlemyre (a three-time World Series pitcher), Jesse LeBeau (an actor), James Ott (a publisher with 3 Grammys), and others.
W & C: Describe your life in Belize in 3 words.
David: Mission, Purposeful, and Spiritual
W & C: Favourite animal in Belize?
David: Favourite domestic animal is a cat and favourite Belizean animal is the black jaguar like Lucky Boy was.
W & C: Favourite time of year in Belize?
David: The winter (dry season) with the cooler weather.
W & C: Top two favourite places in Belize?
David: The Placencia Lagoon and West Coast of San Pedro
W & C: Where can people go to learn more about you and what you do?
David: My websites would be great, RE/MAX or Caribbean Capital Group
W & C: Can you elaborate on your interactions with Wrobel & Co., and more specifically, our Managing Partner, Ryan Wrobel? Do you feel that our office has anything to offer your clients?
David: Ryan Wrobel and Wrobel & Co. are my personal attorneys and who I recommend all my clients to. They have helped me when I needed legal opinions and closings for some of our sales. Ryan took care of my IBC companies and set up local Chapter 250 companies for some of my clients, and also helped with QRP and work permits.
W & C: What are some of the amazing things living in Belize has afforded you?
David: Free time with my family, set up and run several businesses, helped The Placencia Humane Society and The Placencia Volunteer Fire Department, and seen some beautiful properties, rivers, Islands, boating and fishing.
Ready to relocate to Belize as David did? Contact Wrobel & Co, Attorneys-at-Law, and we’ll get you started on your Belize retirement or relocation journey today.
To learn more about buying real estate in Belize, visit our Belize Real Estate FAQ page here.
This information was provided as a courtesy of Wrobel & Co. Attorneys-at-law. It is intended to inform, not to advise. No one should try to interpret or apply any law without the assistance of legal counsel. Please click here for the full disclaimer.
