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Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Kristin Jankel of Downtown

Kristin Jankel shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Kristin, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
A common misunderstanding about my charter yacht business, Adventure Cruises San Diego is that we only offer a party boat experience. In reality, we host a wide variety of charters — from family-friendly cruises and intimate weddings to professional corporate events. My focus is always on running a safe, professional operation, and since we depart from a high-end marina, I work hard to balance creating a fun, memorable experience for my guests while also maintaining the atmosphere and standards that marina members expect.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We are a fully legal charter yacht operation based in San Diego Bay. We’ve been in business for just two seasons and have already completed over 425 successful charters. What makes us unique is our yacht itself — it features the largest open dance floor on the bay and a professional-grade audio system with DJ hookup, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for our guests. My goal has always been to deliver more than just a boat ride — I want every charter to feel like a truly special experience, whether that’s for a family outing, a once-in-a-lifetime event, or a professional gathering on the water.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Losing my immediate family in the blink of an eye completely changed how I see the world. It was a painful reminder of how quickly life can change, and it taught me to live without regret — to embrace each day fully and make the most of the time we have

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wound of my life has been the loss of my immediate family. There’s no true way to ‘heal’ from something like that, but I’ve learned to keep moving forward. For me, healing has meant finding purpose, creating joy for others, and building experiences that remind people to celebrate life while they can.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is equality. Everyone who steps aboard is welcomed and treated with the same respect, no matter who they are. Creating an inclusive, welcoming environment is at the heart of what I do — it’s what makes the experience truly special for my guests.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop second-guessing myself. Life is too short to overthink — sometimes you just have to go for it and trust the journey.

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