Today we’d like to introduce you to Vicki Stahl.
Vicki, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started in the mortgage industry 28 years ago in my hometown of Danville, CA. I was a single mom and sole provider for two children. I worked hard, grew my book of business and, at one point, opened my own mortgage company. I ran a successful mortgage company for eight years. After the market crashed, I closed my office and continued a successful mortgage career working at a couple of major banks.
My son, now 32, has had a love of fishing since he was two years old. He moved to San Diego and was a captain and deckhand on a long-range sportfishing boat. He had always talked about owning his own company one day.
So, I moved down to San Diego and we formed a partnership and bought a boat January of 2018. We spent most of 2018 renovating and repairing the boat to get it ready for charter.
It was a long year, starting from scratch, being new to this industry and having no client following. I used my sales and marketing skills to create brochures, marketing, and social media accounts that would give the company exposure to potential clients. I also set up the financial, bookkeeping and reservation system that we use. I maintain all operations and communicate with the vendors we use to operate our charters.
While our first season was short last year, we did have very successful trips and the boat and company operation was received with tremendous praise. This year, we already have doubled our bookings and several are return customers that cannot wait to go out again with the Game Changer.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to starting a new business is not usually smooth, especially if you are choosing an industry that is new to you. There were many challenges in being new to San Diego and being new to the industry. Just finding and building a relationship with the many vendors we needed during the renovation and repairs, was very challenging. The never-ending onion layers of repairs and costs that we did not plan for, the time it took to complete the project was double what we planned for. All this, of course, cut into the business plan for income and expenses budgeted for the first year.
In starting a new business and making your business plan, do lots of research on the vendors you will need, their availability, their fees. Build a plan that is more than padded for unforeseen time and expenses. Have the operational reserves for at least a year of expenses.
Most of all, plan for the bumps and challenges. That way if they come, you are ready and not disappointed. If they don’t, then you are already ahead of the game!
We’d love to hear more about Game Changer Sportfishing.
Game Changer Sportfishing is a private charter, six-passenger sportfishing yacht. The boat is 70 feet and has four staterooms, three baths, a large galley, second deck salon with big screen TV and couch, outdoor patio and furniture and even a front bow with cushioned seating to relax on.
We offer a high end, private charter that is an all-inclusive luxury vacation. The staterooms have memory foam mattresses and full bedding as well as all bath amenities. We have an amazing chef that prepares all the meals and snacks. Also included with our trips arecocktails, beer, wine, and beverages, rods/tackle, and required licenses and permits. With this high-end venue, we are catering to the fishermen that no longer want to go out on a charter boat with 30 other anglers. They have the money and would rather charter a private boat for their own group. With this boat, we are unique from other six passengers (6-pack) charters in that the size of the boat, staterooms and other amenities we offer are far above the rest. This high end, all-inclusive, luxury venue as taken hold, and has been praised by all that have seen our operation and especially those that have joined us on a trip.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Having a mentor or contacts in the industry that you can go to for advice and information is key. We have been blessed that my son has been in the industry here in SD for over five years and has made many friends on other charter boats. Several have been a huge help to us both.
Contact Info:
- Address: Point Loma Sportfishing dock
1403 Scott Street
San Diego, CA 92106 - Website: www.gamechangersportfishingsd.com
- Phone: 619-554-8700
- Email: info@gamechangersportfishingsd.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gamechangersportfishingsd
Image Credit:
Photos are courtesy of Game Changer Sportfishing, Thanks to Jake McNamara for his tuna photo, Rick Rothatcher for his tuna on a fly rod photo and our crew, Brandon Dailey, Joshua Roberts, Griffin Fadden and Captain Ryan Stahl for the crew photo
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