Start with simple buy/sell routes to increase popularity in specific towns.
The Caribbean world operates on a supply-and-demand system where hundreds of convoys move goods between nations like Spain, England, France, and the Netherlands. port-royale-3-pc-game-all-dlcs-free-download
Increasing your rank unlocks the ability to build in more towns and eventually interact with high-ranking officials like Governors. Start with simple buy/sell routes to increase popularity