Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in the yacht industry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Drazen Jagunic, Co-Founder of Yachtiecareers, located in Antibes, France.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Yachtiecareers is Superyacht Training, STCW certification for new crew entering the Yacht industry. We help them get certified and find their first job on board.
Tell us about yourself
After 15 years in the Superyacht Industry, we, as a group of Officers and Captains, decided to create training to give the new entry-level crew a chance to get an all-inclusive package giving them their first job on board with all the necessary skills we require. We know what it is like starting, and it motivates us to see the success of our candidates finding their dream jobs and giving them the courage to start a new career.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Employing new crew monthly, being able to give them the tools and certificates to get on board a Yacht and enter a lifestyle they have been dreaming about.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Managing working hours. With more requests coming in, we try to be available around the clock to help the crew in our network secure their Superyacht job and start working as a Deckhand or Stewardess on board.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Find a balance between what you can do yourself and if you have weaknesses be brave enough to invest and trust others to that work for you.
2. Prepare for months and years of rejections, failures, stress, and trial and error before you succeed. Prepare for self-doubt and wanting to quit. This all means you are doing it right and should just keep going! If you keep fighting through problems over time and invest your time and effort, you are going to succeed.
3. Have a plan in place, and do not rush. Study and complete each step to perfection, or you will have to redo it later on. This applies to things such as:
- Website design
- Email Marketing
- Creating Products
- Content
4. Make sure to do it for the right reasons. The world's most successful business owners have always succeeded in creating a business in what is their true passion.
5. Marketing Strategies will take you so far. But if you have a truly genuine desire to help your customer, they will always buy your product.
6. Do not feel afraid to give away for free.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://yachtiecareers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YachtieCareers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yachtiecareers/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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