Oct 19, 2025

Notes from “Middle Earth”
Playa Caracol, Panamá 

“I wonder how many are going to make it.”

(Can’t read the full email – click here for the online version.)

The sun was rising although blocked by clouds on the horizon. A few people had gathered on this section of the beach but there was yet no sign of any official to get things rolling.

This is the season of turtles. And given only about 1 in 1000 survive, a local foundation gathers turtle eggs all along the beach, and places them in a small, but protected area to hatch. Now, this month, 4 days a week, at dawn, large numbers of hatchlings are released to the sea. 

We were waiting to witness the event.

Finally a white truck drove up the path and a woman got out and walked into the hatchery. Still, it was another 20 minutes before the real event began. First, promotion boards were set onto the sand, to provide some protection for the young turtles and to create a runway of sorts. Ensure that the turtles don’t go sideways but move downwards, across the flats to the water.

Then, with help from volunteers, 3 containers were brought out from the hatchery, set down upon the sand and gently tilted to drop out close to 200 young turtles for their “run” to the ocean.

A few seemed to know what to do immediately and “took” off towards the sound and feel of the surf, 30 meters away. Others ambled left and right, while a few even tried going uphill, back into the containers. In the end, all seemed to have made it to the water safely, thus this first leg of survival was passed.

Why not simply drop them close to the surf, I wondered. Save them this huge scramble across the damp sand, with the sun rising.

Turns out there is a good reason. Apparently, the young turtles imprint the area from which they are born by this scramble over the sand towards the ocean and thus they (the females) can find their way back to lay their eggs along the same shore of beach. 

That won’t be for another 15 years, and only for the tiny number that live. Most if not all of this group will be eaten by some predator or another, especially in the first few days.

What did surprise me about this whole affair was how little publicity was made about it. Yes, there are signs posted along the beach, mentioning the releases during October. Yes, there was a notice made on one of the local Facebook groups we monitor. And sure, even our property manager talked about it briefly.

But, still, there weren’t more than 15 of us present to witness.

Worse, the person in charge did not talk to any of us nor explain their program, why they are doing it nor even give a brief outline of the life cycle of this particular species.

Worse, she did nothing at all to encourage donations. No selling. No handing out of a simple card or pamphlet with a simple call to action. Not even an upturned hat with a request for some cash. Many there would have gladly given, I am sure.

When I did some research later, I did find a website. It was decent but old. Links to articles dated and many with links that went nowhere. And even there, no obvious call for monies to help fund this and the many more projects they handle. 

Only on one Facebook post, on an expat group site, did I find an obvious call for donations. Deplorable.

Unfortunately, well intentioned non-profits like this are not the only organizations that fail to ensure they have a system to receive payment. Or a system that ensures a prospect is enticed to engage with them with the goal of turning them into a client.

I trust you and/or your clients are not making the same mistake. 

Even so, it is advisable that you check and review your processes and ensure you have made every effort to engage, educate and make offers to all those whom you encounter.

If you are not sure how or what plans, strategies and tasks are required to convert your prospects, then a good place to start is my Do-It-Yourself Business Academy. 

Until next week, 

Stay healthy and focus on profit! 

 - Hugh 
The “Profit Accelerator” Expert

P.S: Tiny, consistent wins—1–2% changes—can compound into 50–100% more profit in a year. Our team built a tool to unlock those gains. If you’re curious about how this can transform your coaching business, click here to explore further.

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