FEATURED OFFICE– INTERVIEW WITH STEVE BOOTH OF BOATSHED ESSEX 

Steve went to  Loughborough University and took a degree in Chemistry, then worked for 25 years in the Pharmaceutical industry in production operations but was made redundant by one of the big firms in the industry and so opted to do something different.

He doesn’t really have much time for a boat with teenage kids and a Boatshed business but he does manage to spend so much time on other peoples. 

Steve has had a few boats in the past, the last of which he shared with his brother but it was sold when he moved to Devon.   His favourite boat was a Challenger 35, which was a great sea boat but it was an absolute pig in marinas! Steve also had a Scanmar 40 and completed the ARC on in 2000.  He skippered her down to Gran Canaria with various crew and then across the Atlantic, they kept her there for a while and did some Caribbean cruising.

What do you feel important in running your Boatshed business on a daily basis? Being organised and keeping everyone informed each step of the way.

What new things are happening in your business at present?  One of the things that seem to be working well is doing the brokerage for local operations and yards, which some yards choose to outsource all their brokerage with us and they send me all the boats for sale in the yard and we have a big window display with boats for sale right next to their chandlery. I do know that I need to get out and about more and hope that now I’ve got some help within the business I will be able to do this.

Where do you see your business in 2012?  Continue to develop and grow the business over the next few years, we have managed to increase our business 30% each year over the last 3 years. The business is getting really well known in the area within around 20 miles of the office and my next plan is to increase awareness to around 50 miles. I am thinking of setting up another office, maybe in West Mersea with a broker and agents to grow the business. Boatshed Essex is still very much the new kid on the block competing against older established brokers but we are certainly making our mark for gaining the market share and I feel that building the businerss on our good reputation is the way forwards.

What new trends are happening in your business?
We’ve had a lot more enquiries from abroad, especially Belgium and the Scandinavian countries. We are in a good location for European buyers owing to the transport links. Boatshed Essex is also getting better known locally and people now pop into the office whereas a year ago they were surprised to find a broker in the yard. I would like to develop this more and feel that we are building up a good reputation locally.

How is your business going?  Very well, this year has been much better that I thought it would be given the economic climate.

www.boatshedessex.com