The Boat Princess Podcast

Maximilian Eagle and I met some 4 years ago when he was very green in this industry. It has been such a pleasure to see him grow with Sunseeker London Group and to bump into him at multiple Boat Shows in Europe. I have to say, Sunseeker London Group always take such care of me at Boat Shows. They are one of my favourites for relationship building, and this podcast along with some others, was recorded onboard an absolutely stunning Sunseeker at Southampton Boat Show because of their and Sunseeker International's generosity in giving me such a luxurious space to record. My boating life began on Poole Harbour, in the UK, home of Sunseeker, so I must confess I have always had a soft spot for them. Max is a young man - still in his 20's and he displays an honesty and openness that is refreshing in the world of Boat Brokerage. In our conversation we delve deep into his career path and the challenges he had to face on the way - one of which was the ultimate challenge anyone can face - thankfully he came through that - for which I and I am sure many many others, especially his family, are truly grateful. You see, when we see Max now, on the Sunseeker stand, presented meticulously with a smart outfit and haircut many would envy, we might make assumptions. Max is the perfect example of what Boat Brokers often have to do themselves - don't judge a book by it's cover. Get to know the real person and build a relationship with them - that is in fact how you build trust for them to buy from you rather than another broker. People buy from people and I am sure that is why Max's career continues to grow. With boys his age myself, I have to say, without being condescending, that I am incredibly proud of this young man and it was such a moment of joy for me to interview him on my podcast. I hope you enjoy it. I hope it will encourage other young men and women to become part of the boating industry - we need you. We need your fresh approach, your enthusiasm, your drive, your innovation, your openness, your smiles and frankly we need young people to realise that this industry is in dire need of you. The average age for someone in the US in this industry is 64. That's scary. And something we need to fix. Hopefully my conversation with Max may be a small start - please pass it on to anyone you think might be inspired to join us. Nicky x For more info on Sunseeker London Group go to: https://www.sunseekerlondon.com/luxury-yachts/office For more information on Sunseeker International go to: https://www.sunseeker.com/ Please review this podcast so it reaches more listeners and sign up for my news and event invites at: https://www.theboatprincess.com/

We often speak about being a minority in a male dominated industry as being a potential disadvantage but maybe sometimes it can actually be an advantage? For oh I don’t know something typical like stunt boat driving for Cameron Diaz??? In my podcast interview with Sarah Donohue at Southampton Boat Show she told me about the opportunity she had to be a stunt driver for Cameron Diaz because she was the ONLY powerboat racing driver that was female in the UK - so maybe sometimes it can actually work to our advantage to be the fewer in numbers occasionally. Having said that, I suspect she would have achieved it anyway competition or not - she's perfect for the role. Sarah is a dynamic and incredible person with a self-belief and confidence in herself that is admirable and aspirational. Listen to my interview with her as we explore how she got into this incredible space and how much she enjoys not only the racing but being part of making this sport safe and accessible to others all over Europe. Sarah is a keen marine conservation advocate, commercial diver, freediver, stingray diver, climber and marine biologist in study, she was also nominated as a 'Woman of Achievement' at 'Woman of the Year' in London several years ago. One of her proudest moments. Her energy exudes into the microphone - I know you will enjoy and be inspired by this one. Enjoy Nicky x For more info about Sarah or to connect with her you can follow her on Instagram @sarahdonohueofficial or find out more on her website www.sarahdonohue.com At our marina, Empire Marina Lake Macquarie we are proud sponsors of the Offshore Power Racing at Lake Macquarie, see more about the event HERE

Mike Reischmann - CEO Kenyon Grills There are some people you meet in business who are clearly building a product… and then there are those who are on a mission. Mike Reischmann of Kenyon Grills is firmly in the second category. Sitting down with Mike at IBEX in Florida, you immediately feel it — his enthusiasm is so genuine and so powerful, it’s like he’s saving the world one grill at a time. And in the boating industry, he just might be. With Kenyon Grills cornering over 90% of the market in their space, there’s no doubt he has created an exceptional product that boaters trust. But what really stood out to me wasn’t just the market share — it was the craftsmanship and innovation behind it. These grills feature unique design elements that Mike has painstakingly developed over the years. Every detail has been considered, refined, and engineered for the marine environment. And understandably, those innovations are carefully protected with patents — when you build something this good, you protect it. The atmosphere at IBEX made this conversation even more special. There’s an energy at that show — the pulse of the marine industry all in one place — and Mike’s passion fit it perfectly. His energy is truly infectious. You’ll hear it in his voice. You’ll feel it in the way he talks about his team, his customers, and the relentless pursuit of getting it right. If you’re in the boating space — or simply appreciate entrepreneurs who care deeply about what they create — you’re going to love this conversation. For more details about Kenyon Grills and their incredible product range, visit https://www.cookwithkenyon.com. And if you haven’t experienced IBEX yet, make sure you visit https://www.ibexshow.com/ and plan to attend in 2026. It’s an event that brings this entire industry to life. I hope you enjoy my chat with Mike. If you do, please like and subscribe, and leave us a review so we can continue to champion voices like his and share more stories from leaders shaping our industry. Let’s dive in. Nicky x

Welcome to the Cannes Yachting Festival — where the sun hits the water just right, the pontoons are basically catwalks, and you can walk from a 5-metre day boat to a 50-metre statement piece in about three minutes… if you don’t get distracted every six seconds. Today’s guest is the person who makes this whole floating city run on time: Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival — and, frankly, the only person here moving faster than the tenders. And a quick warning: if you’re listening thinking, “Oh great, an interview at a boat show — relaxed pace, scenic background…” — you’ve never tried to catch Sylvie. Because here’s what happens: you spot her at Vieux Port, you make eye contact, you wave… and by the time you’ve said “Bonjour,” she’s already halfway to Port Canto, apparently teleporting between meetings, pontoons, and VIP drop-ins like she’s running the Monaco Grand Prix — but in flats, with a radio, and 700 boats waiting for her decision. So we’re thrilled we managed to intercept her and her successor for long enough to put a microphone in front of them – it’s a quick but meaningful chat! Sylvie has led the festival since 2013 (the show began in 1977 believe it or not), and 2025 marks her final edition as Director before handing over to her successor, Constance Brément . We’re going to talk about what it takes to run Europe’s biggest in-water boat show, why women make such great show organisers and what happens now as she hands over. Sylvie Ernoult is the longtime director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, appointed show manager in 2013 (then under Reed Exhibitions France, alongside the Fédération des Industries Nautiques). She has described having grown up in Le Havre, with the sea “part of her DNA,” and says she has spent almost her entire career connected to the maritime/yachting world. Since taking leadership, she has overseen the festival’s growth and the operational reality of running a two-site show across Vieux Port and Port Canto, with the event structured into distinct “worlds”/sectors to manage scale and visitor flow. 2025 is a symbolic “handover” year: Sylvie’s final edition as director before passing leadership to Constance Brément. A few facts about Cannes Yachting Festival The Cannes Yachting Festival was founded in 1977 and has grown into a flagship European boating event. It’s widely positioned as Europe’s largest in-water boat show, staged across two ports: Vieux Port and Port Canto. The show’s modern identity also reflects its increasing international focus; the official site highlights its scale and “world capital of yachting” feel during show week. 2025 show stats From official festival information and 2025 reporting, the 2025 edition landed around: Nearly 56,000 visitors About 710–711 boats on display Roughly 677–680 exhibitors 147 world premieres (reported as a major jump year-on-year) https://www.cannesyachtingfestival.com/en-gb.html Follow us on Instagram @theboatprincess Sign up for our events and happenings news at https://www.theboatprincess.com/

Princess Yachts is not a brand that sponsors me or I am directly linked to, but my first decent size motor yacht was a Princess, so it has to be said, I have a soft spot for them. (The hint is in MY brand name) But there is more to it than having owned one (and for that matter intending to own another in the future). Their values align with mine. Despite being a luxury brand, they have a humble approach to their clients. They believe the clients know more about the boats than they do and thus they as Will expresses in this interview “we have two ears and one mouth and use them proportionally” listening to what their clients need and responding accordingly. Will and I met for the first time in 2018 when, as a Princess owner visiting the UK, my family and I visited the shipyard – at which they were both generous with their time and open with their tour – allowing us to truly experience where and why these beautiful motoryachts are built. 18,000 Princess Yachts have been built over time and their company is a substantial employer in Plymouth in the UK – with multiple generations working as craftspeople across all of the different build processes – from electrical looms to perfectly finished furniture, from fuel tank building to fibreglass laying, Princess is proud of just how much of their build is done in-house. Will has been with Princess Yachts 23 years this year, joining just before Southampton Boat Show in 2003. In his first few days he experienced the product first-hand on a delivery run to the show from Plymouth, Cornish Pasty in hand (on the flybridge of course so the crumbs blew away and didn’t upset the stylists at the show) - what a way to start! In this interview we discuss how his boating life started, how stabilisation has changed how people go boating, the new products Princess are bringing out to cater to those client needs they have been listening to, and their return to building Superyachts – their last 40m was delivered some 7 years ago – so this is not new to them – it’s returning to a space they know meeting the demands of a market demanding bigger boats but also a client base that they don’t want to lose to another brand simply because they don’t have a boat big enough. I hope you enjoy my chat with Will – aboard a beautiful Princess flybridge at Cannes Yachting Festival. Let me know what you think in a review please! UPDATE: Excitingly our new office base and Podcast Studio is coming together in the Marine Precinct in Coomera on the Gold Coast – looking forward to sharing more with you in the near future! Nicky x Sign up for our News and Events on my website Follow me on Linked IN Follow me on Instagram For more information on Princess Yachts go to: https://www.princessyachts.com/

I am finishing off 2025 with a very important guest who leads an incredibly inspirational project that is dear to my heart in my continuous goal to have more women join me in the boating industry and boating generally. Victoria Low and I met in 2023 at the ICOMIA Congress in La Rochelle. I interviewed her then but she's since changed to lead an incredibly important project she was actually part of the creation of 10 years ago. A meeting after a sailing event which illustrated that the guys were being given opportunities for employment but women were not....inspired some incredible women to create a group which had an aspiration to "Create a group to change the world". The Magenta Project has this on it's website: Mission & Objectives Sailing is a unique sport—a test of skill, endurance, and the interplay between humans, technology, and nature. It is one of few professional sports where men and women compete together. Yet, despite this, only 5% of professional sailors are women, and a mere 3% represented across the entire marine industry. Across the marine industry, from the intense environment onboard race boats to the practical settings of boatyards and the wider marine industry, women navigate a complex landscape of challenges that mirror those of the corporate boardroom. These hurdles extend beyond simple discrimination, encompassing limited access to opportunities, support, difficulties in obtaining certifications, and the pervasive impact of systemic bias. Recognising these inequities, The Magenta Project, an award-winning global charity, is dedicated to building a sustainable network and implementing impactful programmes. Our mission is simple: to ensure greater equity and inclusion for women in the sport and the wider marine industry, by working to dismantle the barriers that hinder their full participation and advancement. You can see more about them here: https://themagentaproject.org/ Big thanks to Sunseeker International and Sunseeker London group for hosting us on their beautiful Sunseeker 74 at Southampton Boat Show. https://www.sunseekerlondon.com/ https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/

Fairline Yachts has had its tumultuous times – has it reached safe hands now? The boating industry is going through a transition period for the next 10 years or so, in my view. Those who created the manufacturing businesses, marinas and small enterprises are entering their retirement phase and, as a result, someone has to take over — or sadly, sometimes they simply shut down. Often the skill set isn’t available in adequate numbers to pass it on, or the generational handover is not there, or simply not interested. In some cases, investment funds or private equity have recognised this shift and are entering a market that is entirely new to them. It’s a unique industry. With funny words, unusual problems, and a solid requirement for reinvestment. What some of these businesses have historically lacked, however, is strong financial management skills, clear growth strategies and financial backing (banks have, for some unknown reason, always been extremely cautious with LVRs in this sector). And so we get to my next podcast interviewee. Starting in the banking industry before most of us would normally leave school, Paul Taylor brings a wealth of financial experience and strength as the new owner of Fairline Yachts, alongside his partner Robin Southwell OBE. Paul also had a period invested in marinas, with the second-largest European marina at Vilamoura in Portugal. It was a delight to interview Paul on the back of a Fairline Targa 50 at the Southampton Boat Show. Having someone with a brain like his to delve into brings insight, intriguing ideas and genuine hope that Fairline is now in steady hands. I hope you enjoy it. 🎙️ Listen to the episode: 👉 The Boat Princess Podcast: https://theboatprincess.com/podcast 🚤 Learn more about Fairline: 👉 https://www.fairline.com⚓ Southampton Boat Show: 👉 https://www.southamptonboatshow.com #TheBoatPrincess #FairlineYachts #BoatingIndustry #Leadership #MarineBusiness #SouthamptonBoatShow #Yachting #Podcast

Today I have something a little different for you. I am venturing outside the Boating Industry into the Hospitality Industry and the timing of the release of this podcast episode is critical. As you know my ethos is to support women in business. A rising tide lifts all boats. This is a woman I have admired for a very long time as she quietly achieved in the background of a very famous husband and someone today I can gratefully call a friend. She is someone that has done so much more than many people realise, changed her career and adapted strongly to her new circumstances and through it all faced some challenges and moments many do not even know of. In this conversation we explore topics that actually reveal our similarities and endless connections and we discuss what's happening in her world, including the very exciting new restaurant at Coogee Sydney, which literally opens on Monday - 1st December. Thus the crucial timing of this release. She, as a PR expert, has got it covered but that doesn't mean I don't want to shout from the rooftops my support for her new venture and encourage as many as possible to enjoy what is the great cuisine (which is actually always complex yet simple flavours allowing the ingredients to shine through) of Rick Stein. Rick is of course well known for his TV shows - truth be told he is my go to at the end of a stressful day - his dulcet tones about all things food and beautiful locations in Europe are the perfect escape. I hope you enjoy my chat with Sas Stein, this bubbly, humble, high achieving human in London earlier this year. Big thanks to Brown's Hotel in Mayfair for hosting us in one of the most beautiful suites I have ever seen. https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/brown-s-hotel/ Here's the restaurant you need to visit soon: https://www.ricksteinatcoogeebeach.com.au/ And here's my Girls Getaways location which is literally a 4 minute walk to Rick Steins at Mollymook (who buys a house based on it's location to a restaurant? Well me I guess! - You'll get that story in this episode) https://venusgetaways.com.au/south-coast-girls-getaway-beaches-mollymook/ Much love Nicky x

I always say the best "job" you can have is one you create for yourself. I am a perfect example - I offered to help out at the Boat Brokerage at our marina when my kids were now at school and I had some more time on my hands and I have now been part of this amazing Boating Industry since - we sold 300+ boats in 7 years in that brokerage so I kind of get what's involved in brokering boats - and I can tell you it is not nearly as easy or as glamorous as it looks. Climbing under black covers on a stifling hot day, cleaning toilets, cleaning bilges, explaining why the owner needs to spend more money - we get to do it all - but the only bit you invariably see is the showing of the boat as you should see it after we have done all that :) When you go out on a successful sea trial in the fresh air and see the smile on the new owners face though - that's a feeling that makes it all worth while. From doing the negotiations to securing another listing brokerage can be thrilling, frustrating, joyous and disappointing all in one day - which is why it is such an interesting business to be in. Brokerage now though is moving into different times. Social media is now an essential part of the process and how you present the boat is everything. That's why I wanted to interview Olivia. Her new business kept popping up in my Instagram feed over the last few years and it impressed me. It was clear they not only had a handle on boats but a handle on marketing and presentation too. Thus my interview with Olivia at Cannes Yachting Festival delves into how this all came about - her path is one she has basically created herself - and thus she has created the best "job" she could ever have. Join me as she explains how it all happened, why it all happened and what she thinks the future holds. Enjoy. Nicky x For more information on Browns International Yachts see: https://www.browns-international.com/ To sign up for our Newsletter and hear more about what we are up to (including our new fashion collection for boating coming soon) See www.theboatprincess.com

As I fly to Monaco Yacht Show tomorrow I thought I might share one of my favourite superyacht brand interviews with you. Vasco Buonpensiere is one of those people that charms you from the outset but you know underneath is a man that expects nothing but perfection and uses his excellent mind to do so whilst bringing the best out in others to achieve it. Commencing his career in law and becoming an extremely successful one, whilst lucrative, was not the life he wanted for himself. And so he entered the world of Boat Brokerage. Now he creates with his technically talented partner Ennio Cecchini yachts designed to pursue true exploration whilst in the height of luxury. "I believe when you reach a certain spend on a yacht you should be able to determine the capability of that yacht not be restricted by it." says Vasco in this interview. As such there are currently Cantiere delle Marche yachts circumnavigating the globe but also resting in the mediterranean for the beauty of it. So as you listen to my chat with Vasco hear the joy in his voice of creating masterpieces for exacting clients and his clever business brain of how with a few laughs along the way. For more information on these spectacular brand see: https://www.cantieredellemarche.it/ And if you are a client in Australia please contact my dear friends Paul Miletta and Domenico Giuffre - more lovely people to work with you would be hard pushed to find.

Ok, so I will admit, as an Aussie that grew up in the UK that is constantly chasing the sunshine for my boating, Scotland would not be the first place I would think of to go boating. But then I tried it. And what a glorious boating experience it was. You see, my dear friend Ashlee and her husband Mike own a Freedom Boat Club on Loch Lomond in Scotland and on a recent trip to the other side of the world we decided to add their location to our itinerary of boating industry visits and we discovered what an amazing place it was. Loch Lomond has some 35 places to stop off and enjoy something to drink or eat or an activity to participate in so it in fact lends itself beautifully to the Freedom Boat Club model. So what is Freedom Boat Club and why did Ashlee and Mike decide to open one? Freedom Boat Club is now a division of Brunswick since they acquired the brand in 2019. It makes perfect sense for a boat manufacturer to acquire a Boat Club Franchise brand after all it secures boat sales of their boats but also is a way that curious people that would like to get into boating but literally have no idea how to do so, are brought into boating experiences in the easiest and most risk averse way and may well at some point convert to owners. The model includes boats that are new or almost new, training, check in and checkout procedures each use and a joining fee and monthly fee rather than an outright boat purchase or having to have a boat sitting on the driveway and fighting for usage rights at the Boat Ramp with other boat owners. Ashlee clearly got into it, and you will hear this in her voice, because she believed more people should be boating and that indeed SHE should be doing MORE boating. Having a club like this literally forces you to: Go boating taking prospective clients out and in events Spend time getting boats ready and taking care of them Mixing with people that love boating And as a mum – it exposes her kids to not only the world of boating but the world of running your own business. So I hope you enjoy my chat with Ashlee. She will reveal some of the challenges of mixing motherhood and business and her strategies for handling that (this is not their only business) and what boating really is like in this stunning part of the world. We are Freedom Boat Club Owners in Australia too at our fabulous Empire Marina locations at Empire Marina Bobbin Head and Empire Marina Lake Macquarie and in Pittwater too – so if you live in Sydney, Northern Beaches, Central Coast, Sydney's North Shore, Lake Macquarie or Newcastle and would like to dip your toes into boating or maybe you’ve sold your boat and wish you hadn’t or you’ve got a busy family life and would still like to boat but don’t have time to even think about the boat let alone care for it, then get in touch. Links below Nicky X Our Bobbin Head Sydney and Pittwater Freedom Boat Clubs: https://www.empiremarinas.com.au/freedom-boat-club Our Lake Macquarie Boat Club: https://empiremarinalakemacquarie.com.au/freedom-boat-club/ Ashlee and Mike's Freedom Boat Club on Loch Lomond, Scotland https://fbclomond.co.uk/

Cherise Reedman – Yacht Pearls of Wisdom and the Superyacht Laundry Podcast Working on a superyacht can be mentally challenging – in fact the tragic recent loss of young crew members has brought this subject front and centre all over the world – but what is being done about it? And how about the crew members that leave yachting and then hit the land without knowing what to do next or how to stay connected? I know our The Boat Princess network here in Australia is one that brings connection, support and joy to those that attend our events – we’ll be doing some more work on this in the future to make the connection stronger because we recognise how important connection truly is – loneliness is rife and we want to fix that but what about further afield? In this episode I have a very real chat about this and more with Cherise – a former head steward in the superyacht industry who now runs a podcast and network to try and address some of these issues but most importantly provide support and bring together those that need that support. We discuss a whole bunch of important subjects in this podcast – from the financial side of being in the superyacht industry to the choices women have to make, from challenging the mindset that all women have to strive for a high flying career when in fact they want to travel and build practical skills instead, to how difficult it is sometimes for women to prioritise being a mum in a world of expectation and other demands. Cherise has a fantastically British sense of humour so whilst we discuss these serious subjects it’s interjected with much entertainment and laughter too! I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did. Nicky X PS We mention Cherise’s husbands business in this podcast which provides financial advice to Yacht Crew which some of you may be interested in – here’s a link to his business below https://www.reedmanwm.co.uk/ Here’s the link to Cherise’s community and her podcast https://www.yachtpearlsofwisdom.com/

In fact you can study and start your career in Theatre Production Management..and jazz bars. In this interview I chat with Frank Hugelmeyer – President and CEO at National Marine Manufacturers Association about his career and his love of boating. Frankie as I rather cheekily call him, is a dear friend that I have come to know through ICOMIA. As the new President of ICOMIA (The International Council of Marine Industry Associations) he leads the world in recreational boating bringing the MIA’s and BIA’s and as many boating associations of the world as possible together to discuss and hopefully solve the barriers, the struggles, the limitations, the new regulations and the successes they are all affected by – it’s amazing how many of them are the same the world over. Given he’s been doing that for the NMMA for the last 6 years I would suggest he’s the perfect candidate for the task. Frank is a man that loves to rise to a challenge. Check out how he introduces himself on his Linked In below: “Here’s something very important to know about me: I love to inspire teams to do extraordinary things, especially when the outcome or idea has never been done before. Climb a mountain? Check. Build a better sandbox? Let’s do it. Grow an entire industry? I'm all in. Striving to accomplish what seems hard and sometimes impossible is why I bring a pioneering spirit to every encounter, challenge conventional thinking and discover new ways to learn and grow.” Our chat covers where his love of boating began, his passion for this industry and what he sees for the future of it. You see, he finishes his Linked In with: There is one more thing that I am very passionate about…living a life-well-lived and encouraging others to do the same. So go fly fish Alaska's Kongakut, paddle Costa Rica’s Pacuare River, climb Italy’s Dolomites or dive Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. You’ll note 3 of those activities involves boating. That’s because Frank doesn’t just work in the boating industry, he truly believes in how much it enriches peoples lives and what a disappointment life would be without it - and that’s why he diplomatically fights for it every day. You can follow Frank here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankhugelmeyer/ And connect with his amazing team at the NMMA here: https://www.nmma.org/

Zandra Sissing - Senior Manager - Marina - Red Sea Global may be an articulate and softly spoken interviewee but she has an underlying strength of character that suggests she will not tolerate incompetence nor should you mess with her. Perhaps that softly spoken quality pertains to the secrets she is to reveal to the world in the near future as the Red Sea becomes the next destination for boaters from all over the world. You see Red Sea Global are creating destinations that feel out of this world and yet at the same time are taking great care to do everything to not only protect our world but in fact nurture it further. With a strong sense of environmental consciousness yet an excitement and warmth to welcome guests and yachts to enjoy this incredible part of the world, Zandra shares her passion for this project in Saudi Arabia as this region starts to turn its focus to a more tourism orientated economy, but in a very special way. I’ve seen the photos - the resorts are almost like pure art and the colours of the water are simply mind blowing. So join me as we explore how Zandra got to this point, what she loves about what she does and what brings her joy in her work in this unique and wonderful location.

All of us - no matter what gender - go through moments of self doubt. Women though - maybe more so. In this podcast Sarah inspires us with how she overcame her fears to become so capable in the Coastguard - inspiring her own daughter at the same time. She has taken chances in life - including moving to New Zealand from the UK without having even visited - but those chances have meant she has said yes to more in the future - like saying yes to being on this podcast. We discuss self belief, and go through the fear of public speaking with some terrific advice to help you get through your understanding of this skill that so many fear. Building confidence in doing something can literally change your life. In every aspect of it - find out Sarah's views on this and listen to her encouragement to others to do so. Sarah talks about the importance of having women within a team and what they bring to the organisation and her love of teaching kids and making a difference. I hope you enjoy this podcast recorded at Auckland Boat Show. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Sarah and thank Dean at Protector and Rayglass Boats for the introduction and for the fun we had Sarah driving the awesome Protector at speed! If you would like to become a member, donate to or volunteer for NZ Coastguard you can find out more information here: https://www.coastguard.nz/ As a boater we are always grateful for the volunteers at NZ Coastguard and all of the other bodies all over the world including Marine Rescue NSW. Enjoy this episode and be inspired. Nicky x

Small businesses usually start because of a need, a problem that needs to be solved or a sheer passion someone has to drive it. Wildchix, the brainchild of Isabell is all 3. She saw a need that women were missing out on sports she loved because a training environment women actually felt comfortable in wasn't available. She saw a problem that the bias women experience often through no malice at all, but sheer bias, meant that they were relying on their male partners to enjoy such sports as fishing, and she has a passion that you viscerally feel through her voice in this podcast. Taking the brave step of leaving a perfectly good full time position to launch - Isabell has created a business that trains women, and only women, about the recreational sports and adventure activities she loves. In this episode we delve into what that actually involved and how she feels having jumped off the cliff of salary safety. We also talk about the challenges she faced that made her see what was needed, her love of boats and what she has achieved in her career including selling a substantial number of boats (often to someone who would ask - "Is there someone I can talk to about the boats please?") This is an episode full of some things you won't agree with (because we are all different) and yet some you will completely align with - whether you are a woman OR a man. We also talk about Imposter Syndrome briefly and I mention a book available on Audible by the amazing Dr Kim Granland. That book it turns out isn't on Audible YET - but is available on the link below - it gives some great strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome in a beautifully simple, positive and relatable way and is a ridiculously good price....so why not see what it's about. Enjoy this episode, check out Isabell's business and book in for one of their courses - I know I will one day - because we can never learn enough about boating, or fishing, or being in nature (and New Zealand surely is one of the very best versions of that)- and that's the beauty of this boating lifestyle - our brains are continuously learning - what a joy that is in itself. Nicky x Check out Wildchix here: https://www.wildchix.co.nz/about That book about Imposter Syndrome and what to do about it (and we know guys get it too so feel free to buy one too guys) https://www.amazon.com.au/What-Imposter-Syndrome-Overcome-Forever-ebook/dp/B0D1YLFHTV The link to book the event we shall be holding at Sanctuary Cove Boat Show on Fri 23rd May at Horizon Yachts. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1395123 The link to the Charity Walk celebrating Women in Marine we are doing at Sanctuary Cove on Fri 9th May - link to register (it's free) https://events.humanitix.com/women-in-marine-global-walk

Dubai Boat Show was an amazing experience for me this year. I met some incredible people, presented on stage, enjoyed the media walk with fellow marine media and best of all recorded some fantastic interviews. One of which you are about to hear. Wyndham Tops (great name huh) is a friend of mine through ICOMIA and he is a really interesting guy to listen to. With a fantastic history as to how he got into the boating industry and now working on one of THE most exciting projects in the world for yachting I wanted to share his story with you. He then suggested we include John W R Paul aswell to give another perspective to the marine industry in this region and share more information about the Leisure Marine Association MENA. This Association was only founded in 2020 but is so important to bring the industry together in this region to allow them to have more strength and ability to work with legislators, authorities and other stakeholders. John leads Exalto Emirates, a prominent marine equipment distributor and retailer in the Middle East. John has 29 years of experience in the GCC, sharing his expertise with the marine community and now with you, our listeners. Exalto Emirates LLC was founded in 1995 and is a wholesaler of marine equipment. The company represents over 80 reputed international manufacturers of high-quality marine components supplying to pleasure and commercial boat builders, shipyards, service providers, fleet owners and to the retail market thru a network of dealers. Operating from the head office in Sharjah and branch office in Dubai, the company supplies within the UAE, other GCC countries and across the greater Middle East, Africa, and Indian subcontinent. Wyndham Tops is Senior Director for Marine and Marina Mobility Operations at Red Sea Global, with extensive experience in marina management. An active sailor and certified Yacht Master Ocean, Wyndham has held leadership roles at Abu Dhabi Maritime, Emirates Palace Marina, and Ferretti Group. His expertise spans marina operations, community harbors, and ferry terminals. Now at Red Sea Global (RSG), he's working on projects where luxury, sustainability, and innovation converge to redefine how development is done. They are spearheading new development and tourism models, putting people and planet first to deliver projects that actively enhance the well-being of customers, communities, and environments. If you have seen any photos of the new resorts (Roxy Jacenko posted some just this weekend) you'll have seen they are mind blowingly beautiful and frankly, almost out of this world. Bringing boaters and yachties to this region is so incredibly exciting. Enjoy our chat and please give us a review! Nicky x https://www.redseaglobal.com/en/ https://www.exalto-emirates.com Make sure you sign up for our Newsletter at https://theboatprincess.com for all news on events, which Boat Shows we'll be at and educational info

Su Lin Cheah It’s amazing to find how many people “find themselves” in the boating industry. My next guest, the fabulous Su Lin Cheah did exactly that when a friend of hers – who recognised her talents and abilities - asked her to join him in his boat brokerage business. In doing so Su Lin faced the challenges many women did at that time of being put in a box of assistant, secretary or even girlfriend - but above all of this she rose to the challenge and became one of the people that truly raised the profile of the cruiser market in Asia. Su Lin is a people person. And we all know - that people buy from people. Boat brokerage is about relationships, and we talk about this in depth in this episode as we discuss great strategies that can be used in boat sales but even more so behaviours that can change attitudes and perceptions. She started as a graphic artist but with a career spanning more than 30 years in customer service operations, marketing and sales distribution management, Su Lin brings a unique local-global-local perspective and insight into a region of diverse cultures and business practices. So, her current role at ICOMIA in the Asia-Pacific region compliments her own personal mantra that there is strength in collaboration and cooperation, and working as a collective will always benefit all parties, in resilience and sustainable growth. It's a mantra I like to live by myself. Nothing makes me happier than seeing other entrepreneurs (especially women) thrive and nothing makes me happier than bringing them together to help each other – a rising tide lifts all boats. Our next event will do just that. Keep an eye on my Instagram @theboatprincess or sign up on our website www.theboatprincess.com so you don’t miss out on the details Nicky X PS We recorded this last year at ICOMIA Congress and I have been waiting for a good time to issue it – directly between the China Shanghai International Boat Show and The Singapore Yachting Festival seems entirely fitting got the ICOMIA Regional Representative Asia Pacific don’t you think? Enjoy and please give us a review – it helps others hear our stories but also makes our guests feel good too. For more information on ICOMIA: https://www.icomia.org/ For information on their World Marinas Conference in Venice in October (see you there) https://www.worldmarinasconference.com/

Life is full of incredible moments when you make them happen, and for me interviewing Abeer AlShaali – Deputy Managing Director of Gulf Craft Inc and Captain Patricia Caswell – General Manager of Gulf Craft Services onboard the very boat that Mohammed Hussein Alshaali Chairman of Gulf Craft) calls his own was one of those. I know you are going to listen to this one at least twice. You see interviewing Abeer is a delight. She is one of the most articulate and interesting people I have ever met and is it any wonder their business Gulf Craft Inc has been expanding whilst some other boat builders have been retracting. Is this because they are in a part of the world that is continuing to grow or is it because they are meeting the market worldwide on what the market are asking for? I would suggest it’s both. Captain Patricia Caswell has had a distinguished career in the yachting sector. Currently serving as General Manager of Gulf Craft Services, she previously held the role of Quality Control Manager. With extensive hands-on experience as a yacht captain, Patricia ensures the highest standards in yacht building, overseeing processes from design to delivery. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the successful sea trials of the Majesty 175, the world’s largest composite production yacht. She was recently elected as Vice Chair of the Leisure Marine Association (LMA) for 2025. If you are not aware of Gulf Craft Inc as a boat brand let me help you out a bit here. Gulf Craft are an Emirati brand built in the UAE. (I know that kind of doubles up - but sometimes we need a deeper understanding in regions we don’t know well if we haven’t been there) They produce 5 brands: Majesty Yachts – for those of you that have chartered “One World” in Sydney she is one of these Nomad Yachts – for those of you that have chartered “BlueStone” in Sydney she is a Nomad 101 and in fact she is featured on the Gulf Craft Website in of course the iconic position right in front of the beautiful Sydney Opera House. Oryx – these are fast and fabulous Sports Cruisers designed for fishing or just having fun Silver Craft – Fishing and Day boats And Finally Silver Cat – their name gives them away of course as their Catamaran range (of the motor variety) So, as you can see, they’re covering quite a range of client types and budgets. This in itself is a clever strategy as most of us know in the boating industry - most boat owners will start small and grow big as time in their life and their bank account progresses. Their dominance at Dubai Boat Show with 18 boats on display showed not only their versatility but also their support of the industry in this region. In this podcast we delve into what they have done in their company to attract more women and what they do especially for them to make them feel supported. Surely though, the most obvious move they have made is engage two strong women at the very helm of the business. You see once the team look up to that, and the world sees the success they achieve – that’s when changes happen, that’s when others can see what they can do and are encouraged to aim high (this is the difference with women, some of us need that). That’s when other companies think about following the lead too. So, thank you to Gulf Craft Inc for being one of those showing the way for women in our industry. I know some think we don’t need to dwell on this still, but the reality is, we still need to shine a light, we still need to be there to encourage, support and celebrate the progress. About Gulfcraft: Gulf Craft envisages success not as the reward for our innovation, but as a motivation to set out on a path of difference, with dedication and commitment, while creating world-class masterpieces that truly belong to the waters of the world. From manufacturing fishing boats to megayachts, and standing amongst the top superyacht builders around the world, the company nurtures and preserves each brand’s distinctive identity. Since the company’s inception in 1982, Gulf Craft has grown to become one of the top seven shipyards in the world. From being a builder of small fishing boats in modest premises, a genuine passion for the sea led Gulf Craft to establish its credentials as a leader of innovation and technology in the yachting industry. With five brands in the product portfolio, ranging from 32 to 175 feet, Gulf Craft manufactures yachts and boats that appeal to a wide audience such as touring passenger's vessels, Silvercraft family day boats, Oryx Sport Cruisers, Nomad Adventure Yachts, and the flagship Majesty Yachts. Utilizing advanced technology, powerful engineering, timeless design, and world-class craftsmanship, Gulf Craft is today recognized as one of the world’s premier yacht manufacturers. https://www.gulfcraftinc.com/ About the Leisure Marine Association The Leisure Marine Association, headquartered in Dubai, is a leading trade association representing the interests of the boating and yachting industry across the Middle E

Hillary Buckman is the Founder and Managing Director of Ocean Media Australia - including Ocean and Sails magazine, Great Southern Route Superyacht Guide and the Ocean Club. There’s plenty of energy in this episode, which Hillary and I recorded whilst enjoying a glass of Lallier Champagne on her stand at Sydney Boat Show. We have a great laugh together and even though I count Hillary as a friend I learned so much about her - so you will too. Hillary is a powerhouse in yachting media and is known for throwing lavish events which everyone always enjoys. Established in 2005 as a boutique publishing house, Ocean Media has grown into a contemporary, progressive company focused on bringing the highest-quality print and online journalism to the Australasian premium yachting industry. Her magazine “Ocean” feels divine to the touch and enhances any superyacht interior with it’s graceful covers. With a dedicated in-house team and industry-leading journalists from all over the world contributing to their editions, Ocean Media pride themselves on their comprehensive editorial, exceptional design and photography, and incisive news and reviews. The Ocean Media experience extends well beyond their magazines to their presence online, which includes websites for each title, e-newsletters and social media feeds. I know you’ll enjoy this episode as we explore not only Hillary’s story but also current trends, challenges and insights into the yachting industry. Thanks Hills, this was fun. x All Ocean Media magazines are available online through www.oceanmedia.com.au where our latest issue and every past issue published are available in digital format. Each website is updated regularly and we are continually improving the format and content to maximise appeal to our e-readership. www.oceanmagazine.com.au / www.sailsmagazine.com.au / www.greatsouthernroute.com / www.oceanclub.international Please help us by reviewing this podcast – and subscribe to our podcast – this helps us not only extend our reach so more future Boating Industry team members can haer about our amazing industry, it also helps us secure more sponsors and thus bring YOU more content. Connect with The Boat Princess here Follow The Boat Princess on Instagram @theboatprincess