18 Years of Oasis: The Stories, People & Memories Behind the Team

Every company has a story. Ours just happens to be filled with portable blenders, trade shows in Dubai, a wave that flattened Anwar, and a team that genuinely enjoys coming to work every day.

As part of our 18 Years of Oasis series, we sat down with members of the Oasis team for a special episode of The Cayman Blueprint Podcast. Rather than talking about developments or land, this episode focused on something much more personal, the people behind Oasis.

Everyone was asked the same questions. Where were they when Oasis was founded? What are their favourite memories? What's been the biggest challenge? What have they learnt over the years?

The answers reminded us that while Oasis has changed enormously since 2008, the things that matter most haven't changed at all.

Where Were We When Oasis Began?

The podcast opened with a simple question.

"What were you doing in 2008 when Oasis Land Development was founded?"

The answers immediately showed just how different everyone's journey has been.

Ellie laughed as she admitted she was still at school.

Blake was already working in estate agency.

Others remembered careers in renewable energy, security and even selling portable blenders before eventually finding themselves at Oasis.

Looking back now, it's funny to think that none of those people imagined they'd one day all be working together, helping clients from around the world purchase freehold land in the Cayman Islands.

Joining Oasis

Everyone arrives at Oasis differently.

Some were introduced through conversations with friends.

Some were approached directly about joining the company.

One member of the team even recalled selling portable blenders to builders before being asked a simple question...

"Do you want to come and work for Oasis Land Development?"

Others started by helping organise charity events just two days a week before becoming permanent members of the team.

Although everyone's route was different, one thing was consistent, nobody regretted saying yes.

First Impressions

When asked about their earliest memories of Oasis, nobody talked about property.

Instead they talked about people.

Ellie remembered what she jokingly described as "the girl gang" before the team gradually grew.

Others remembered travelling to Cayman for the first time, attending property exhibitions in Dubai and working within what was then a much smaller business.

Devin's answer summed it up perfectly.

"It was actually being a very small, intimate team."

That close-knit atmosphere still exists today, even though Oasis has grown considerably over the years.

Nobody Expected This...

When the team were asked what they thought Oasis would look like eighteen years later, the answers were refreshingly honest.

Anwar admitted:

"I wasn't really thinking about eighteen years... I thought it might last three or four."

Others spoke about how much the business has evolved.

The sales team once worked across different countries.

Trade shows and international exhibitions formed a huge part of the business.

Today, the team works together from one UK office, communicating with clients around the world using technology that simply didn't exist when Oasis began.

As one member of the team explained, every change has simply been another opportunity to adapt.

"Every transition that Oasis has made... it's done it in a great way."

What Clients Don't See

One of the most interesting questions asked during the podcast was:

"What's something the public would never guess about working here?"

The answers weren't about sales targets.

They weren't about property.

Instead they talked about innovation, helping one another and the culture inside the office.

"We're a small team. We all help each other... and our clients know all of us."

Another team member simply smiled and said:

"The banter that we all have within the office..."

It's something that probably doesn't come across in brochures or social media posts, but it became clear throughout the episode that enjoying where you work matters just as much as what you do.

Proud Moments Along the Way

When the conversation turned to proud moments, it quickly became clear that everyone measures success differently.

For some, it was seeing the business grow.

For others, it was creating something tangible.

Ellie spoke proudly about designing Oasis' offices and building the podcast studio that now hosts The Cayman Blueprint.

Devin highlighted the privilege of travelling to the Cayman Islands to create content and showcase the developments and lifestyle that clients see across Oasis' social media channels.

Perhaps the most unexpected answer came from someone who simply smiled and replied:

"Actually... starting work at Oasis."

Sometimes the biggest milestone isn't a project or a promotion — it's finding somewhere you genuinely enjoy being.

The Challenge That Changed Everything

Every business experiences difficult moments, and when asked if there had ever been a time they wondered whether Oasis would make it through, almost everyone gave exactly the same answer.

COVID-19.

The pandemic changed how businesses around the world operated, and Oasis was no different. Face-to-face exhibitions stopped almost overnight, travel came to a halt and the team had to adapt to an entirely different way of working.

Looking back now, however, there was a real sense of confidence in everyone's answers.

"I don't really think there's anything we can't pull through now."

The experience reinforced something that came up repeatedly throughout the podcast — resilience has become part of the Oasis culture.

The Influence of John McClean Jr.

One of the most interesting questions asked the team was:

"What's something John McClean Jr. has taught you that you'll carry forever?"

The responses weren't about selling land or business strategy.

Instead, they focused on something much more personal.

"Johnnie has shown me the love you can have for a country."

Another added:

"His passion and love for the Cayman Islands is an incredible trait."

Others spoke about his knowledge of Caymanian culture, his respect for everyone he meets and the enthusiasm he brings whenever he talks about the islands.

Listening to the answers, it became clear that his passion for Cayman has influenced far more than client presentations — it has shaped how many members of the team see the islands themselves.

The Stories That Still Make Everyone Laugh

Not every memory was serious.

When asked about the funniest moments over the years, one name came up almost immediately.

Anwar.

"Probably just Anwar being there... he always brings the laughs."

Another story that still gets mentioned involved a Cayman site visit where Anwar was happily swimming before being completely wiped out by an unexpected wave.

It's these moments that rarely make it into brochures or marketing campaigns, but they become part of the stories every team remembers years later.

Advice That Has Stood the Test of Time

The team were also asked about the best advice they had received during their time at Oasis.

One phrase appeared more than once.

"Don't wait to buy land. Buy land and wait."

Others spoke about believing in yourself, embracing opportunities, working hard and remembering that every client has their own unique journey.

Although the advice differed, the underlying message was remarkably consistent: keep learning, keep adapting and never stop moving forward.

Why Cayman Never Loses Its Magic

Towards the end of the podcast, the conversation became much more personal.

Everyone was asked what still makes them stop and appreciate the Cayman Islands.

There were plenty of familiar answers.

• Seven Mile Beach sunsets.
• The turquoise water.
• The white sand.
• The slower pace of life.
• The culture.

But perhaps the most common answer of all was simply...

"The people."

For a team that spends so much time introducing clients to the Cayman Islands, that answer felt particularly fitting.

Looking Towards the Next 18 Years

The final question was perhaps the simplest.

"What do you hope the next eighteen years looks like?"

Nobody talked about targets or numbers.

Instead, they spoke about continuing to help clients, travelling to Cayman, working with the same great team and hopefully creating many more memories together.

One answer perhaps summed the entire podcast up best.

"We genuinely care."

After listening to the conversations throughout this special anniversary episode, it's difficult to disagree.