The Boat Princess Podcast

Welcome back to The Boat Princess Podcast. This episode was recorded in the beautiful city of Venice, Italy, where Ethan Zone and I were both attending the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference. It was the perfect setting to sit down and discuss one of my favourite topics—the future of marinas and the boating industry. Ethan is the CEO of the Tingdene Group, a remarkable British family-owned business whose story is one of innovation, vision and diversification. Founded in 1969 as a manufacturer of high-quality park homes, Tingdene has evolved into one of the UK's leading operators of residential parks, holiday parks and marinas. Today, the Group owns and operates 12 marinas across the UK, has an extensive boat sales network, and continues to develop exciting innovations in floating homes, bringing together its decades of expertise in residential living with the ever-growing appeal of waterfront lifestyles. During our conversation we discuss where the marina industry is heading, what we need to do to attract younger generations into both boating and careers within our industry, and why creating vibrant marina communities will become increasingly important. We also explore how changing customer expectations, sustainability, technology and floating living could reshape the marinas of tomorrow. Whether you work in the marine industry, own a marina, or simply love spending time on the water, this is a fascinating conversation that looks beyond where we are today and into what the future may hold. To find out more about the Tingdene Group and their marinas, visit https://tingdeneboating.com. And if you'd like to learn more about Empire Marinas Group, our family-owned marinas, boating facilities and everything we do to help people enjoy life on the water, visit https://www.empiremarinas.com.au. Now, let's head to Venice for my conversation with Ethan Zone of the Tingdene Group.

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.

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/

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.

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