Today we’d like to introduce you to Manuel Marcelo Hernandez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a Miami Beach native, I have always been in, on or around water and a great passion for boating came naturally to me at a very young age – some may say I was even born with it. Most of my childhood was spent on my parents small family boats, navigating Miami and Bahamian waters and creating lifelong memories and experiences I am blessed to carry with me to this day and hope to pass on to my own children.
I was always fascinated by life on the water and all that it entails: fishing, boating, surfing, you name it, if it had anything to do with the water, I did it. With that came curiosity of how boat mechanisms actually work or how do I drive a boat and little by little, it became clearer and clearer to me, that my passion for water and boating became my calling in life and I decided that was the path I was going to follow.
At 20 years old, I got my captain’s license and began working for Tow Boat US towing and salvage and soon transitioned into operating private vessels for various clients. The more I learned about the intricacies of all levels and aspects of properly maintaining a vessel at her optimal standards the more I fell in love with my job and wanted to become better and better at it. This ignited yet another spark in me, the dream of one day owning my own business.
After many years of being a captain aboard an extensive amount of vessels, all with different needs, systems, routines and being in charge of protecting my client’s investments, creating a professional, safe and enjoyable environment for them and their loved ones, and always fighting to offer them the best, in an industry that is difficult to find “the best” it became clear to me that by opening my own business I will be able to hire and train my own team specifically at the demands of a yacht owner create the ultimate level of what customer service and satisfaction should truly mean in our industry. And, this is how TURN A KEY MARINE was born.
Today, TURN A KEY MARINE is 7 years old and continues to deliver the best in yacht care and yacht management and the widest array of professional yacht services in Miami.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth road?? Is there such a thing when building and operating your own business?
As much as I would like to believe that someone out there had an easy way to success, somehow that is hard for me to believe. There is a lot of self-sacrificing involved, a whole lot more work than you ever anticipate and just day to day problems that you as an owner, and only you, are responsible for solving many times for your clients, your employees and yourself.
Few of my personal struggles have been trying to balance my work life and personal life, learning to say no – which I am still working on as my nature is to be a people pleaser, learning to trust and delegate … and also some other – bigger – issues such as trying to find professional, loyal and reliable employees that love their job as much as I love it and are willing to learn, grow and build with me. That aspect has been extremely challenging for me but I overcame it and today I have the best team I could have asked for and am grateful for my employees every day. I see my business as something I build for my clients, but also for my family, my employees and their families. It’s just how I see it; I see my business as OUR life and OUR future.
I mean, I’m not sure we could do what we do now at 80 years old, but would sure like to still have the team I have today, in my eighties.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Turn A Key Marine – what should we know?
Turn A Key Marine is a quality maritime service provider focusing on top vessel performance by providing specifically tailored professional maintenance services for all aspects of any vessel. The company generally operates on tier levels and routine monthly schedules. For customers who choose TURN A KEY MARINE, vessel ownership is simplified and focused on their enjoyment.
We also offer a la carte services which include: wash & dry, interior detailing decorating and outfitting, linen services, administrative services, bottom cleaning, mechanical and electrical services, audio video installations, crew services concierge services etc.
We also operate a sister company a full-service boatyard, where we haul out and service vessels up to 80′.
Between our two companies, we offer a complete line of marine services are the “one stop shop” of yachting in Miami.
As a company, I would say I am most proud of the quality of services we provide. Many clients and even crew always complement our team about that. You can tell if TURN A KEY marine is servicing your vessel or not, just by stepping aboard.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would like to thank my wife, family and clients for believing in me, sticking with me thru it all and having faith when we struggle. I am grateful to my former employees as well as our current team.
Contact Info:
- Address: 300 ALTON ROAD MIAMI BEACH FL 33139
2100 NW NORTH RIVER DR. MIAMI FL 33125 - Website: www.turnakeymarine.com
- Phone: 305.324.2090
- Email: info@turnakeymarine.com
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