Nassau, Bahamas - April 10, 2012 - Well-known business personality Simon Cooper is helping kick-start the flagging Nassau economy in ways that only he knows best. He’s using his business broking skills to help new entrants to buy into the existing marketplace – and doing this for free if the asking price is less than $50,000.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a while,” says Simon, “but I was waiting for the US economy to show signs of life.

Small business will continue to be the major private-sector employer in this country for some time to come. We simply cannot afford to sit back and let this sector fail.” Unemployment remains persistently high in the Bahamas at 18%. The 34% jobless rate among our youth is particularly alarming. These young people remain under constant threat of job loss, at the most vulnerable point in their careers.

“This is what alarms me most,” Simon comments. “As business broker, I have my finger on the pulse and I am very worried about what I see. We urgently need to find innovative ways to help, not hinder new entrants to the market.

I’m hoping our government is listening too.” There are two ways to get into business in The Bahamas. The first is to start from scratch. The second is to buy an existing firm and crank it up. Simon believes the latter is the wiser option. The secret is to match-make so the new owner has the skills to thrive, he says.

Simon’s contribution is to provide a free listing service to small businesses on offer for under $50,000.

He allow them to leverage off his existing database, after he reviews their offerings to promote fair play. After that, he passes all enquiries on with his compliments - and all for absolutely free! “This project is working extremely well,” says Simon. “I’m in constant contact with a huge database of on and offshore buyers. Provided the price is fair every business has a buyer. If I can help reverse the unemployment trends in The Bahamas, I’ll be satisfied.”

ENDS Simon Cooper is a founding partner of Res Socius, a business brokerage firm and businesses for sale directory service. Res Socius is authorized by the Bahamas Investment Authority to facilitate the sale and purchase of businesses and provide consultancy services. Contact 376-1256 or visit www.ressocius.com.