Startup of the week: ORMA

A private, 100% sustainable, mixed-use lifestyle sanctuary. A first-class haven where physical and mental peak healthspan, fitness, happiness, aesthetics, nature, art, and design converge in effortless harmony.

An uninhabited private island where freedom seeps into every hidden cove and windswept ridge. Secretive. Untamed. Alive with possibility. Norman Island’s colorful history whispers a tale meant for the curious, the bold, and the beautifully unconventional.​

We spoke to the Founder Pamala Baldwin to learn more about vision driving its development.

Tell us about your company.   

Pamala: Since 1998 I operated Caribsearch Ltd, a headhunting firm specializing in 5* island resorts, private clubs, hotels, palaces and high-net-worth individuals- very nichy-REMOTE recruitment.  During 2023, I was in a car accident causing Serious Traumatic Brain Injury. 

A game-changer- over time, after 30 years recruiting, my brain was too damaged in the areas that count the most for this endeavor...no more Executive Decision ability, slow in processing information, zero memory, and the most damaging aspect, is that I no longer enjoyed the work--people have changed as well as the industry. During my recovery I realized that my creativity skyrocketed-this is an remarkable.  I can create business plans every couple of days--recognizing a niche, not a bad trade off.  I am # 53 in the world for being a highly creative savant.

I wrote a book about my accident and road to recovery (if you can call it that) - named SHARDS and today received a contract from a publisher in Europe.  I will never recover so I had to re-imagine who I want to be, or perhaps who I am.  Quite a journey.

What is the most challenging part of running your own startup?  

Pamala: Once I've conducted due diligence on the concept and I am assured through research that a market indeed exists, I simply plow forward and instinctively know what to do-it just comes to me as an epiphany.  I am proud to share that I more or less specialize in scalable concepts with no investment.  Even a successful export company for cheesecakes!

I've done mixed use developments (2),  an apparel reuse startup, a cognitive enhancement tool, and more.

It's part of me and no challenge at all.  Asking others for sweat equity is the only challenge.  Without identifying a niche and evaluating competition, you have nothing.  That is the crux of success.  And, never even consider throwing in the towel.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced when looking for funding?  

Pamala: Interesting topic--well, I started targeting potential investors 3 years ago.  The first three tried to scam me, resulting in significant downtime and waiting for promises that never materialized.  This is common and it's not easy to separate the wheat from the chaff.  

What is the most rewarding aspect of entrepreneurship?  

Pamala: I am not the best to answer this--I've always worked for myself-even when Covid lockdown happened, nothing changed, I cannot imagine reporting to anyone.  Being your own boss is as good as it gets.  I know what will be successful and what will fail--am very fortunate to have this insight.

Thank you Pamala for the interview! Connect with Pamala on LinkedIn: Pamala Baldwin