We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob Kelley and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jacob, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my own business was something I knew I always wanted to do, but like many others, I wasn’t quite sure which idea was worth fully investing in. After working 8-5pm in a corporate sales environment, one day I just had enough. Quitting a full-time salary with benefits was a tough decision, but I would rather fail at something and give it a try rather instead of remaining in the status quo doing the same thing everyday at the office.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The industry has a high influx of other captains and fishing guides, but my differentiator is my experience on a wide array of different vessels. Anything from large sailboats to luxury yachts, I’ve comfortably ran and mated on to gain experience even at such a young age.
Getting to this position wasn’t easy and there were many times I felt like my hard work wasn’t helping me advance in my career. For example, before obtaining my captains license I was working as a deckhand or mate for some not so great bosses and owners. However, those experiences have helped me learn what to look for when taking a full or part time position with a new client.
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.
Entertaining in guests in south Florida is rather easy because of the beautiful beaches and waterways we have available. I would start by taking my guests out for a day on the boat, fishing and sight seeing along the way. Afterwards, I like to pull up to the square grouper bar in Jupiter inlet because they always have good live music.
A trip to Jupiter isn’t complete without climbing the lighthouse and kayaking through the Loxahatchee River. There are manatees, dolphins, otters and so many other cool animals to see along the way.
Lastly, we would go out to clematis street in downtown West Palm Beach to bar hop and see more live music. There’s also a lot of good food and fine restaurants in the area to try as well.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents have been my largest supporters and deserve a shout out for helping me transition into my career. Additionally, my father has given me lots of advice and mentorship regarding running a profitable business.
Website: www.flyguyfishingcharter.com
Instagram: @jacobkelley731
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-kelley-a9756514a
Other: Instagram: @fly_guy_fishing_charters