THE MIND BEHIND THE BRAND

TUCKED INTO THE FERTILE VALLEY NEAR THE MAIN ARROYO IN SAN JOSE DEL CABO,

ACRE EMERGES AS A TROPICAL OASIS

IN THE DESERT, AN ESCAPE COMPLETE WITH FARM-TO-TABLE CUISINE, AWARDWINNING MEZCAL, FRIENDLY FARM ANIMALS, AND MORE.

Cameron Watt of Acre IN SAN JOSE DEL CABO

Started by two Canadian friends, Cameron Watt and Stuart McPherson, Acre has expanded since its opening to include the original restaurant and bar, a pool area, an event space in the mango orchard, luxurious treehouse lodging, a dog adoption program, Fausto’s Diner, and now the in-progress Acre Villas. I recently spoke to co-owner Cameron Watt to learn about the vision behind Acre’s evolution over the last few years and to share his insights for any other expats interested in buying property or starting a business in Baja California Sur.

Cameron and Stuart are both from Vancouver, Canada and though they have been friends for 18 years, they never worked on a business together before Acre. As Cameron put it, “About 8 years ago, during a vacation to Cabo, we made the decision to stay down here and go into a business together. It seemed like a perfect spot to try this as the flights to Vancouver are short and the best season in Cabo coincides with the worst season in Vancouver.” It’s true that many visitors and foreign residents of Los Cabos come south to flee cold winters, and the lush Acre property is the perfect antidote to too much snow and ice in the north. The business actually started because the two friends fell in love with the piece of land first, and the brainstorming about what to do with it came later. After tossing around a few ideas, the new business partners decided on opening a farm-to-table restaurant and things have evolved bit by bit since then. Cameron expanded, “We’ve always been good friends over the years so we figured why not be business partners? As you can imagine, two foreigners starting a new business in a foreign country are going to experience a lot of ups and downs. I’m happy to say that our history of friendship allowed us to get through some of the challenging times we’ve faced down here.”

Starting a business in a foreign country would challenge anyone, and Acre’s leadership team has seen its share of difficulties over the years. Cameron explained that their “terrible Spanish” is a consistent challenge since even “some of the simplest things become overwhelming confusing” when they don’t speak the local language. Another ongoing challenge for Acre has been sourcing and maintaining the impressive tropical plants that welcome arriving guests into a verdant jungle as they make their way to the restaurant’s entrance. As Cameron explained, “It’s been a lot of trial and error. Some of the most spectacular plants that I was most excited about just don’t work in our specific microclimate. Others have thrived. Between hurricanes, gophers and broken water pumps, I’ve had my hands full!” Luckily for the plant-loving business owners, Los Cabos is full of well-stocked viveros (plant nurseries) and local growers with a wealth of knowledge that they can tap into.

On the other hand, there are a lot of positive aspects of opening a business in Baja California Sur, and as Cameron explained, “It’s much easier to get things done down here. Canada has a lot of silly rules and regulations that often get in the way of entrepreneurs.” He also mentioned the weather as a plus, since Vancouver is very rainy and Los Cabos is known for its fabulous weather most of the year. Cameron also acknowledged his hardworking staff, praising that they “take huge pride in the job they are doing. I’m always amazed at their ability to just get something done. I’d have to say they’re problem solvers versus a lot of Canadians who might throw up their hands and give up on something!” This ingenuity is a trademark of Baja locals as the peninsula does not have the same resources as many areas of mainland Mexico or the rest of North America.

“It’s much easier to get things done down here. Canada has a lot of silly rules and regulations that often get in the way of entrepreneurs.”

Local businesses have to get creative when it comes to sourcing products and solving problems, and teamwork is crucial for accomplishing goals. It’s clear that the Acre team works well together since the business and property successfully grow in size, diversity, and popularity each year.

Regarding his business’s changes, Cameron says he feels that the Acre brand “hasn’t changed that much over the last five years. If anything, it’s probably just become more focused and clear.” This is evident in the consistent aesthetic of each aspect of the business, from the restaurant to the treehouses to the website and social media. Looking ahead, Cameron is most excited about the new Acre Villas that will soon be available for fractional ownership. He looks forward to “giving people the ability to make Acre part of their life.”

In closing, Cameron had some helpful, general advice for aspiring homeowners and business owners in Baja Sur. He emphasized that it’s important to “take your time and get to really know the area first. Your perception of things

will probably change 180% from when you first start looking.” He finished with some important words of wisdom for anyone considering a move to a foriegn country. “If you’re a foreigner, give up any thoughts you have about how things ‘should be.’ You’ll only end up frustrated and disappointed if you’re expecting things to operate as they do in your home country.” And that’s ultimately the beauty of living somewhere completely new and different - you’ll learn a new lifestyle, a new language, and a new culture. It’s important to let go of your expectations and biases, remain humble, and appreciate local knowledge and skill. Finally, prepare to fall in love with Baja Sur’s temperate climate, stunning landscapes, and kind, generous people. There’s a good chance you’ll never want to leave! TAKEAWAY TIPS for new expat homeowners and business owners in Baja Sur:

#1 Work on learning as much Spanish as possible before making the move to Baja, as it makes communication so much easier and can help open a lot of doors. Take advantage of helpful apps, hire a tutor, and use workbooks to increase your fluency and practice speaking Spanish as much as possible during your visits to Mexico.

#2 Hire a local farmer, developer, and/or plant expert to help you evaluate the land you are interested in. Getting to know a property’s soil composition, history of usage, and existing plant community will help you decide which lot to purchase based on the building and horticulture projects you’re interested in undertaking.

#3 Work with people you can trust and depend on even in difficult situations, and hire a skilled staff that can grow with the business. Invest in employee training and take care of your staff so that they remain loyal and dedicated to your brand. Also, be open to unique solutions for problems that come up and prepare to get your own hands dirty.

#4 Immersion in the local community is crucial for learning the neighborhoods, business climate, and available niches in an area before investing in a property or business.

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