Justin Pavey, 35

While working in the luxury auto industry, Justin Pavey saw the lack of similar services for boat owners. A longtime boater himself, he founded Coastal Marine Management to “take that white-glove service from the auto world” to the water. 

The Naples-based concierge service for high-end vessels provides maintenance, storm preparation and other assistance for boat owners. “It’s the convenience factor of having just one person to call,” says Pavey. “I really try to build that personal trust with clients.”

Photo by Mark Wemple

Attention to detail and an ability to adapt are musts in his line of work. “Everything changes so quickly; there are emergencies and storms that come out of nowhere,” he says. “I’ve learned how to be adaptable.”

His ability to understand each client’s individual needs is an asset. “I can read their personalities and what kind of client they’re going to be and expectations they’re going to have, and I adapt my actions toward that,” he says.

Pavey learned a lot about running a business by watching his late father, Stan, who owned several dry cleaning locations in Naples. “He always made sure that clients were treated like family,” he says. “Now that I’ve grown older and am running my own business, I see the importance of that and see why people kept coming back to him. They knew that working with him they were getting the best quality.”

He also saw his father’s persistence and the way he took care of his employees. “It’s how I want to continue,” he says. “I want to open doors for other people who want to get into the marine world. Taking people under your wing and creating opportunities is what I want to do.”

Having two close friends who are also entrepreneurs provides current-day guidance for Pavey. Watching them start their own businesses gave him the courage to turn what he thought would be just a side hustle into a successful company. “We meet all the time to go over different ideas of ways to expand,” he says. “Them being in my corner really pushes me to grow.”

His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? “Take the risk and don’t be afraid,” he says. “I was always so nervous to do it. But after being pushed off the ledge, it’s crazy how quickly you can catch yourself and really open your own doors for yourself.”