Margaret Tannis-James was born in Bequia, St Vincent and the Grenadines. She attended the Bequia Anglican Primary School and St.Vincent Girls' High School. Throughout these years, she was an active member of the SVG Girl Guides Association. Upon graduation, she worked as a Legal Secretary before migrating to New York, where she graduated from York College with a Bachelor's in Science Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Computer Applications for Business.

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During her years in New York, she gained experience working in many different fields, including six years in Real Estate as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Coldwell Banker Cross Island. She was a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and holds a number of real estate designations. Margaret also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity Housing projects in Brooklyn and the Bronx.

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Margaret's grandparents, Isaac and Margaret Tannis, were pioneers of Bequia in the 1920s. They owned and developed Cinnamon Garden Estate, which has been passed down to their eleven children and their families. This includes her parents, William and Elizabeth Tannis.

One of Margaret's dreams was to become involved in the continual development of Bequia. Upon returning to Bequia, she became the founder and owner of Cinnamon Garden Realty and Property Management. Hence, the opportunity to invite Nationals and non-nationals to become property owners within the Tannis family Cinnamon Garden Estate.  

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Margaret Tannis-James