Florida's Only Source for Everything British

Hallo my lovelies This is bare bones bio put up hastily. Born In Germany, raised in UK. German mother, English father. Lived in France. Spent 5 years in Nassau Bahamas working for Bahamas Government at a college there. [English language and literature tutor]. Had column on the Bahamas national newspaper, the Nassau Guardian. Married an American businessman who I met in Bahamas [NOT for a Green Card!]. He brought me to USA as his wife. Have since divorced. We settled in Ft. Lauderdale in 1988. Worked in my ex-husband's company until the divorce, specialising in PR/Marketing. Became Vice-President of Marketing. Took various PR courses here and became freelance writer for Hallmark, American Greetings, Russ Berrie and 7 other greeting card companies. American Greetings editors put me on their list of Top Ten copywriters in USA. After the divorce, I was unemployed with 2 months rent left in bank. I decided to keep husband's name Kawaja because it was on my USA documents and articles since my arrival in USA. I had a Green Card and a strong determination to Make it in America--[later the marketing slogan I created for FABB. ]

Then a major turning point. In 1990, my Britpal Mike Corcoran, who was with the Ft Lauderdale British-American Chamber of Commerce [now defunct], handed me a copy of FLORIDA BRIT Newspaper. This was a Florida imitation of the national Union Jack Newspaper. So I approached Brit Magazine publishers and offered to be their South Florida "office". From my Ft. Lauderdale 2 bedroom condo, with a computer, FAX machine and photocopier all charged to my creditcard, I established a home office. For the magazine, I wrote the British news column for South Florida, handled advertising accounts and promoted the magazine. Paid on commission only, no expenses paid, for a whole year I had to survive on my wits to pay the bills. So I just got in my car and drove everywhere locating every single British business in the area, giving them copies of the paper, featuring them in my BritNews column and selling them an ad. This was 1990-91 and there were few Brits in Ft Lauderdale. I worked so hard to pay the bills my weight dropped to a bony 116 pounds. Current prosperity means my skinny days are gone-----alas! From this pioneering work, I perceived a need, a niche nobody was filling. I realised that other newcomer Brits needed help, would enjoy social events to meet other Brits, immigration advice and more.

This would become my life's work from 1991---helping and promoting the British community in Florida.

So The British Bureau was born in 1991. [I created the name and designed the BB logo]. More----just highlights. Have had scores of newspaper and magazine articles and TV programmes etc done about my work. See more on other pages on this website.

• 1990 Hosted 2 radio shows at a Miami AM radio station: The British Breakfast Show and The Florida Welcome Show.
  
• 1992-----present: Florida Editor of Union Jack Newspaper national publication for the USA's British community
• Member British-American Chamber of Commerce since 1991,BACC Director 1992-95
• 1991-present: owner of British Bureau PR/Marketing business. Miami, which has the largest British database in Florida.
• September 1992: Established BritSingles...the Lovable Limeys Network. That later became The British Network. Still organise the occasional soiree for British Singles to meet each other. Many marriages and longterm relationships have resulted, I'm pleased to say.
• Over 100 Florida TV appearances as spokesperson for local British community.
• Featured and was consultant on "Florida Folk" UK programme about successful Brits. (BBCI TV. Aug. 96.)
• Often quoted as British source by Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Florida Trend Magazine, UK-USA magazine and other publications.
• Became a US citizen in February 1996.
• In August 1997, with British partner Mike Towner, founded the Florida Association of British Business [FABB]. Designed FABB logo and F.A.B.B. name. In July 1999 we dissolved [amicably] the partnership, so since then I have run FABB myself.
• In June 2002, I moved to Miami --the Magic City, seeking a more sophisticated lifestyle and a new mission to raise the profile of Miami's considerable but ignored British community.
• Education: London University [first degree--French Language/Literature and Education]. Years later took second Honours Degree from Leicester University in English Language/ Literature and Education/Psychology. Also got associate degree from Royal College of Preceptors in London and few other academic qualifications which are a FAT lot of good in Florida. 10 O Levels, 3 A Levels and a one mile Hertfordshire school swimming certificate! Voted the most popular teacher [out of 150 staff] in Nassau, Bahamas School I taught at. Voted Most Beautiful Teacher [out of all 50 female staff] at my Kettering, England I taught at. Other academic accolades too...won't list here.
• In England I was Head of Modern Languages in a London secondary school. Then took up promotion doing same in a Kettering school---as sole female applicant, I beat out 57 male applicants for Head of Department position--yessssss! Moved to Bahamas in 1983. PERSONAL: Divorced, no children.

--Patricia Kawaja.