by Pat Tyson

“MY REAL INSPIRATION WAS MY FATHER tapping me into the ‘Law of Intention,’ when I was 19 years old,” said Kim Clapham general director (at the time of this interview) of Terramar Destination Management. He advised her to have a clear vision for the life she wanted to create-and to make every decision knowing that it supported that vision. There were no limitations at all he told her; the only rule was “never hurt anyone.”

Armed with such sage advice, she set forth to realize her dreams. Born in Canada, near the Alaskan border, she moved to México as a Rotary exchange student, then returned to Canada for a year to study science (she considered becoming a dentist!). After that, it was back to México as a Destination Representative with a Canadian tour operator. Attaining the position of supervisor, she worked in Ixtapa, Cabo, then took on out-postings to Puerto Vallarta. Manzanillo and Cancún. In 1988 she returned to Cabo and started a small ground-operator travel agency that provided transfer and tour service to charter and individual travel. This company she sold in 1991 and started Terramar to focus on the group and corporate travel markets.

“I had started my first business because I didn’t want to be transferred away from Cabo again,” Clapham explained. “The only work available for a foreigner at that time was Time-Share or Real Estate.” She didn’t care to enter this profession, nor was it adequately secure, so she applied for a job with the only real travel agency then operating in Cabo. Her application did not meet with success, which led her to the creation of Terramar, where she has been able to attain her dream.

“I really had no choice in order to stay in Cabo,” said Clapham, “I knew my business and decided this was the most logical choice,” Her ongoing motivation was to be able to live there and support herself. This has evolved in creating a great place to work, a place for self-realization and development, creativity and play for the entire team.

“I feel a real appreciation for the entire staff at Terramar; many of us have known each other for many years since I first moved here.” she said. The privately-owned company has branched out into well-defined divisions- as a corporate and incentive event management, transportation company, room amenities, themes and decor, special events, wedding planning, touring, individual and charters transfers, and cruise ship support. From the beginning she has seen an extraordinary client base.

“Our newest project (at the time of this interview) was Baja Outback, a tour company that offered client-driven adventures in Hummers.” she added. “I think our team really fell into step about four years ago. By then, we had a solidified team vision and were really enjoying ourselves.” Her plans for the future, she said, are to continue to do well with pride and satisfaction; to flow with the needs of her employees, clients and the ever-abundant opportunities of Cabo. On the personal side, she wants to have time to play with her family.

At the time of this interview, she was a busy mother with two small children – a girl and a boy. Her older daughter, her parents, a sister and nieces live in Canada. “My mother, an accountant and my father, a commercial banker, are still actively involved with consulting in those areas,” They were unconditionally supportive of her career choices all along the way. And what motivated her to go to Cabo?

Clapham was initially chosen for her first job because of her first-aid training; she realized that the medical services were limited in the area and felt she might be of help. Although, eventually, she shifted career goals, she was certain this was where she wanted to settle.

“I knew this was home the moment I drove into San José and saw the church steeples pointing out between the palms and the beautiful sky,” she rhapsodized. “It was just magically peaceful and welcoming.”