How I Found My Calling.
Reed, how did you get into yachting?
No boating experience + Fear of the ocean. The perfect combination for a boating professional.
It’s not uncommon I get asked ‘How did you get into yacht sales?’ One thing’s for sure: I am the outlier.
It’s 2015 and I’ve been in the event industry for about 4 years. Nothing special. Selling sponsorships, producing mid-size gatherings, meeting lots of people. The usual grind of any kid not knowing what they want to do. Little did I know, a four-year sponsorship deal with this new yacht company called VanDutch would open a door I never expected.
While I never saw life-changing money, I loved event sponsorship sales for a few reasons. I could conceive unique ways for people to engage with brands, and I could produce related video content for those not attending the event (see Hearts & Stars Gala YouTube video). I loved the creative freedom.
From the event’s success over the years, I was offered a job working in marketing for VanDutch. During my interview I was quite vocal about my lack of boating experience and discomfort – fear, really – of the ocean. I knew I’d assimilate over time, but I didn’t know how much time I’d have. I knew industry lifers would smirk about a kid who didn’t know port from starboard, but what could I do? I was green. Little did I know, ‘green’ could be an advantage.
VanDutch was changing the course of boating in Miami. It was cultivating a new-age boater who bought for sex appeal without a care for the construction process, number of sleeping cabins or propulsion type. One who couldn’t translate industry jargon, hated the buttoned up culture and preferred flip flops to boat shoes. I aligned better with this network better than any industry lifer could. I found my niche. So that’s where I put my energy.
I learned how to translate boating jargon into layman’s terms. I saw where (in the boat tour) this new-aged boater got bored and where they got excited, and I helped them digest unknowns and visualize intangibles. I never led with engine room horsepower or electrical technicalities.
Jordan and I testing the first VanDutch 48 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
I wanted to make boating approachable, simple, and fun; the opposite of how I felt when I entered the industry. I built mental patterns to match you to a VanDutch based on your boating style, making sure new operators strayed from metallic paint and we always surveyed your dock before you signed an agreement. I put myself in the buyer’s mind, taking a financial risk on something you may not understand entirely, and made sure I was teaching vs. selling. I found the value I could provide, and fell in love with the process. I especially loved seeing a set of eyes light up if the boat was bigger than expected; that was always a validating moment.
I worked at VanDutch for six enjoyable years, experienced the world, met the girl of my dreams, and learned A LOT about myself. I speak more to that in the About Me page on this site.
VanDutch gave me a crash course in sales, yachting, and personal development. 10 years ago I saw marinas as another universe, now they are my comfort zone. I’m happy to say I love what I do, and continue to look for new opportunities in the marine industry to push its customers and companies forward.
Any questions? Shoot me an email at Reed@RNMarine.com.
