Today we’d like to introduce you to Hugo Gonzalez Kakouris
Hi Hugo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was Born and raised in Coconut Grove (Miami) and grew up boating and fishing in Biscayne Bay, the Florida keys, and Bahamas. After college I decided to get my captains license and from there started picking up captain jobs on several different vessels. Over the next 10 years I got jobs running everything From large Sport-fish to Cruising Yachts. Through deliveries, and Fishing all over the Caribbean, I was able to pick up a good amount of information on how all different types of boats ride and operate, the systems, and construction as well. I spent a lot of time on the water as I switched from different jobs but had stuck with a handful of clients which grew into a small Yacht Management business with a few of the boats under management agreeing to rent out their yachts, which then turned into a charter business. In 2020 I was hired by a large yacht brokerage to operate and manage their charter division which consisted of a large fleet of yachts. Shortly after I applied for my brokers license through the brokerage I was working for and stepped into the world of Yacht Sales. From the relationships I made growing up in Miami, my clients under yacht management, and my overall knowledge and passion for boats, I was fortunate to sell and learn from each deal. In 2023 I left the brokerage to Start my own Company with the vision of a Yacht brokerage, Yacht management and Charter business which is when Tidal Yacht Group was created.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been smooth. It has been an extremely difficult road and still every day there are new challenges. I honestly do not think it will ever get easy but you get better managing challenges. First of all, boats by nature are very unpredictable and notorious for failing. But the other big struggle has been finding and developing the right team. I see everyone involved as a partnership. Tidal Yacht Group is made up of a group of team members which I rely heavily on to perform as expected and if one of the positions is struggling it can affect the entire company. Managing people can be very complicated but I do feel fortunate to have the current team that’s part of the group today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My main focus is Selling Yachts and taking care of my customers. but at the same time, I am managing a Yacht Sales Brokerage, Yacht Management business, and Yacht Charter Business. Every day there is something different to do and most of the time I don’t know what my day will look like as there are always things that come up. I am usually on the road visiting or showing the yachts we have for sale, or meeting one of our techs at a client’s boat to discuss a repair. During the day I am also taking phone calls and replying to texts for inquires on our sales listings or charters. The phone usually starts at 7:30am and slows down around 9:30 – 10pm. I guess what sets me apart is I don’t believe I am better than anyone or too good to get my hands dirty and I work harder than my competitors. I am not smarter or more talented than the next guy but I have good work ethic and believe success is a direct correlation to the time that is put in.
What matters most to you?
My Reputation. You only have one and once it’s gone it is very hard to get it back. I want to do right by my clients and it is important to me that they believe that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tidalyachtgroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidalyachtgroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558168355556
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tidal-yacht-group-miami
