Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT Boat Fix!
Four questions with Steve Zales, Acting CEO of Boat Fix.
Why did you start your business?
Having built a business in the UK providing on-the-water emergency mechanical repair services to boat owners, I came to the US to create a business that would provide similar services over the phone, plus tracking and monitoring through telematics to ensure that the boating experience is safe, secure, and enjoyable.
What is your best-selling product/service?
Our only service is Boat Fix -- a 24/7 telematics service that monitors the essential functions of the boat, tracks location, provides invisible fencing capabilities, and 24/7 mechanical support service over the phone. We warn the boat owner immediately if anything is wrong or needs attention, and if you are on your boat and have a problem, you can call us any time -- day or night -- and we'll help you solve that problem over the phone.
While our service is based on a device manufactured in China, we ship and print extensively in the area -- working with the US Postal Service in Southport, the UPS store in Fairfield, and Universal Printing and Mailing in Fairfield.
Have you "reimagined" your small business?
Yes. The original idea I had was to replicate the UK business upon coming to the US. We set up in Florida and quickly realized that even the waterways in Florida covered more territory than all of the UK. Operating an on-demand business with mechanics traveling out to every boat in need of help in the US was going to be an unprofitable undertaking, so I switched the model to its current telematics and phone-based support model, and "voila".
Visit Boat Fix online here, and make sure to check out their Facebook page as well!
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!