Arthur Clinton Brangman is in the process of setting up a business that will help Bermudians to achieve their personal and financial goals.

His novel concept is to offer customers the help of a "personal service broker" who will help individuals and families to make the most of their lives.

The company, Global Service Brokerage Group, will open for business on March 3, and will offer three different levels of membership to help Island residents make the most of themselves. As Mr. Brangman puts it: "We help you find the WIN in you — will, information, nerve. With this you can do anything."

Mr. Brangman, 53, has returned to Bermuda after living and working in the US for 16 years and draws on his experience in the telecommunications field, as an insurance agent/broker and as a businessman.

Personal management services can help Bermudians realise their potential and give them both the knowledge and the courage to take important steps forward, Mr. Brangman believes.

"If someone wants to be an astronaut, we will be able to find the people to get you on the path to that aim," Mr. Brangman said. "In an organised manner, we will help people get from A to B.

"We can't give people the drive to pursue their goals — that has to come from within. What we can do is set up all the opportunities to help them get from A to B. We are here to enhance people's lives through our system."

The project has been 12 to 14 years in the planning and will be based on software that will help to find personal solutions for clients based on their profile information.

Mr. Brangman said he was inspired to start the business by his own bitter experience of being ripped off. "It was a real estate investment that went bad," he said. "My investment partner took my money and disappeared." He hopes he can help others avoid trusting the wrong people through his network of business contacts to give clients what they need. Mr. Brangman has launched a project called "The New Bermudian", setting out how he would like to help the average Islander attain new self-confidence and empowerment in the areas of recognising opportunities and taking full advantage of them.

"The New Bermudian" will be someone who seeks out knowledge, has a free spirit and is not shy. Knowing what they want, they will work hard and play hard, and securing their family's future through work and investments is their priority.

Global Service Brokerage Group will offer personal financial and investment services relating to investments in and outside Bermuda, as well as personal and business management. It will aim to "find, buy sell, ship, barter and broker anything for you globally". And it will assist with overseas real estate services and relocation.

He aims to sell his company's services on different levels ranging from $30 to $1200 per month.

All dealings with clients will be confidential, the company promises.

Mr. Brangman is promising a new business project once a month for the next six months and is confident his idea will take off to the extent that he hopes to hire close to 100 people over the next six months.

"Most of the people I take on at first will start off as contract workers, working toward becoming full-time workers," Mr. Brangman said. "Many will be working over the Internet from home, helping with investing and consulting."

Mr. Brangman has been working with the Bermuda Small Business Association. "They've been very helpful and I'm getting to know Bermuda all over again," he said. "They feel it's a really good thing I can do for Bermuda in helping to raise the standard of living."

One area Mr. Brangman would like to focus on is sports clubs. After returning from his 16 years in the US, he said he was disappointed to see how the Island's sports clubs and facilities had deteriorated. He has already spoken with Sports Minister Elvin James and has approached some clubs with a view to developing their facilities to a higher standard.

"People have to know when they go to a sports club that they are not going to get harassed, whatever colour they are, or whatever income bracket they are in," Mr. Brangman said. "It's about getting families involved in sport.

"We have a five-year plan to ensure that everyone can feel comfortable about going into any sports or recreation club without worrying about who they going to meet."

He urged anyone interested in his ideas, to call him or send an e-mail giving a name and contact details.

Mr. Brangman can be contacted on 292-4680 (office) or 734-3739 (cell), or by e-mail at clinton@idotec.com.