We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Booth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I realized as a teenager that I didn’t want to work for someone else. I wanted a trade that was creative and physical and that I didn’t mind selling. Woodworking and furniture design is very equitable: a person wants something, you are the expert that can give it to them, and they pay you for it!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I don’t know if there is destiny, or we are hard-wired to do certain things, but I’ve always been convinced I’m “supposed” to make things. The goal is always to get more creative, closer to art. I have realized that, at least in this business, clients want you to be creative for them. So I’ve been fortunate to have clients give me a lot of freedom to pursue ideas. A client/designer relationship is almost entirely built on trust, which takes time and good work to establish, but is then self generating.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I feel like you have to orient the city within the water that surrounds it. I take them sailing out of dinner key to see the downtown skyline and islands with a few miles of brilliant open water to emphasize just how special this place is. Miami Beach is magical. The color of the water, the cleanliness of the beach is enough to forgive traffic and parking and rudeness.
We’d probably have to eat carne asada from Pinolandia, Cuban food from Palacio de Los Jugos, Mexican food down in Florida City on the way back from Flamingo in the Everglades. I think it’s important to recognize Miami not as the southern US, but as a northern capital of South, Central America and the Caribbean. Then you start to appreciate how rich the culture is.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh man, there are so many people that have had faith in my potential and let me learn on their dime! The yacht designer Merrit Walter taught me a lot about how to get paid what you need to do what you want. Gary and Olga Teplisky gave me a lot of opportunities and an inspiring friendship.

Website: https://youthboatworks.crevado.com

Other: youthboatworks@gmail.com

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