Moving to Bermuda from another country can be a logistical nightmare.

Housing stocks are tight at all price levels. Spaces in private schools are limited and just trying to find a handyman can be hard when you are new to an area.

Frances Trott, of Frances Trott Relocation, aims to provide a soft landing for newcomers.

Most of her clients are Bacardi C-suite staff, along with some insurance executives. They are typically senior international hires with families, often homeowners in their own countries.

Client numbers change from year to year. “I don’t even think I could put a ballpark number on it, but the number of clients is a lot and it is a long process,” she said.

A typical relocation takes up to nine months from first visit to Bermuda to being fully settled.

Housing is one of the biggest headaches she tackles for the foreign worker.

“It is an international move, which is really quite challenging for people,” she said. “I fully appreciate that and understand the challenges that come with it.”

As a 14th generation Bermudian, she has the connections and resources to help newcomers settle in and enjoy life.

Her clients generally ship all their furniture to Bermuda ahead of the move.

When necessary, Ms Trott turns on the air conditioning ahead of their arrival. Often, their family photos are already on the walls; their furniture has been arranged and their sheets are washed and on the beds.

Finding a school for children in the family can be another big task.

“We are very lucky to have so many great schools in Bermuda, and we do find them a spot,” she said. “However, it is becoming more and more challenging to find a spot for kids in the private sector.”

She spends much time making sure that the non-working spouse and any children find their place in the community.

“I spend a lot of time on the integration to make sure that when the kids start in school they are set up in the sports that they are interested in and, if possible, know another child in their year.”

She advises clients to get a licence in Bermuda and buy a car, and to arrange things ahead of time.

“You do need to look at car options in advance,” she said. “What you want may not be available at the exact time you need it so it is good to be organised. I guide them through the process.”

The hardest part of running a small business for Ms Trott is wearing every hat. She subcontracts some services, but is responsible for sales, operations, customer service, finance and strategy.

“A good example is managing shipping and logistics,” she said. “When something goes wrong, there is no department to handle it. It is on me to solve it while still keeping everything else moving.”

Ms Trott learnt the industry from her godmother Shelly Green who worked in relocation for many years.

“Unfortunately, she passed away from cancer four years ago,” Ms Trott said. “But I take her with me on every job. She was very passionate about what she did and the clients loved her.”

Ms Green handed over the business to Ms Trott shortly before her death, after which Ms Trott renamed the business Frances Trott Relocation.

“She taught me that moving a family does not end when the boxes are open,” Ms Trott said. “It is about making sure they are integrated into this island.”

• For more information, seewww.francestrottrelocation.com