We’re looking forward to introducing you to Zack Neeld. Check out our conversation below.
Zack, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My wife and I are continuing to progress along our goal of traveling the world having completed visiting all seven continents last year. We are eagerly approaching 100 countries visited.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota. I moved to Miami as an infant where my mom ended up meeting my stepfather. I grew up in the South Florida area all the way until I left for college to attend the University of Florida. I met one of the future franchise owners of Get Up and Go Kayaking and became very close friends with them… Fast-forward to 2022, I decided to take the plunge and open a Get Up and Go Kayaking location myself in Miami, an area that I knew well from my childhood. Today we now have two locations one in North Miami Beach, and one in South Beach, which are able to provide multiple different types of Eco tour experiences, including the mangroves and manatees as well as night kayaking to see South Beach, iconic architecture, and skylines.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My father. He began working at a very young age and taught me about work ethic. And had me work inside of our family businesses at the age of 14 and ever since then I have always had a job throughout college and now as an entrepreneur with the ability to help create jobs for fellow motivated entrepreneurs In the South Florida area we continue to explore opportunities to help our community and those in it grow.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Trust the process. If it was easy, everyone would do it and there’s always resources available to accomplish the task at hand- they’re just difficult to find at times. It may be tedious and time-consuming but at the end of the day as long as you create a plan that is step-by-step, as long as you follow and execute each step and don’t cut corners, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel… you just have to trust the process.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I worked very hard to be able to wear shorts and a fishing shirt to work every day. My entire closet is just full of different combinations of that outfit. I don’t really believe in the need to sugarcoat everything in life, and sometimes it can come off as a little bit unpolished or unmanicured, but at the end of the day I believe as long as everybody communicates in realistic terms and upholds what they say, It seems that life and business flows much easier than trying to hide from the truth or misrepresenting who you are. Be true to yourself and everyone around you.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
At least once a year, my wife, Cassandra, and I take a week together at our condo in St. Thomas. It’s a very special place that was introduced to me by my grandfather who also did the same thing throughout his life. It is the first place that my wife and I visited together abroad and continues to be a tradition of ours. It’s one of the few places in the world that I can truly shut down. We know how to get around and how things work but most importantly, it’s the one place where we can enjoy our time together and disconnect from the distractions of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://getupandgokayaking.com/florida/south-miami-beach/
- Instagram: @getupandgokayakingsouthbeach
