Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Eden.
Jacqueline, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m from Cocoa Beach Florida, and I grew up on the beach my whole life. So I suppose that’s where I started. I love the ocean. My dad was a pretty well-known scuba diver and was always doing things outside of the box. I must have gotten it from him.
Fast forward a few years, I moved to Hollywood Beach, and just fell even more in love with that crystal clear ocean. I ended up running the parasail operation on Hollywood Beach for a summer and getting to know the south Florida waters more and more. After a while, I realized parasailing wasn’t for everyone and there was a niche’ of people who were not able to enjoy the water as much as I did.
After seeing some smaller Bubbles in a pool one day, I had the idea of bringing them to the ocean, and making them much much bigger! I had contacts with some factories overseas, and asked if I could have these Bubbles made for adults, and then asked again if I could have them made for multiple adults! To my surprise, they said yes. So I had 3 different sizes made, called my friends to meet me at the beach, and literally turned them into my Guinea pigs in a Bubble! Haha, that was a fun day. We didn’t even think to use ropes and anchors at first, and I almost floated away!
After a few weeks of trial and error, I figured out how to safely Bubble off the coast, using marine ropes and anchors I could drill into the sand under water. Making sure everyone was safely attached to the shoreline at all times.
My first year in business, I bubbled with over 2500 people. The youngest being 3 years old, the oldest being 88 years old. I was even honored to bubble with a beautiful girl who had cerebral palsy. Her mother called me and asked if it was possible, and I said heck ya! It was such a beautiful moment seeing her enjoy the water for the first time. I loved it, and I’ll never forget it.
So many people are afraid of or cannot swim in the ocean, and I saw this as an opportunity to give them an experience in the ocean that I had always known. It made me feel amazing to see their faces and hear the endless laughter of so many people. I became addicted to Bubbling!
Not to mention, the incredible workout! Wowza! I was getting in the best shape of my life! It only took 10minutes of running in the bubble to make me as exhausted as a 2hour workout in the gym. Focusing on your core strength, and helping with balance. But when you get too tired, you can just flop over and relax. When you lay down, you can still feel the cool water on your back without getting wet. Then roll over, and “dry snorkel”, being able to see the bottom of the ocean, crystal clear as if you are wearing dive goggles without getting wet!
Since starting off, we have now bubbled from South Florida to the Bahamas! And are now venturing off into new territory again. It’s still a secret, and working out the kinks, but we will be sharing the new spot very soon! Super excited!
I always think about how everyone always told me I lived in a bubble, I guess I made it a reality. And I love it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No it definitely wasn’t a smooth road. I actually started the business riding my bike to the beach every day. I would wake up at 4am and check the waves/current. Always making sure it wasn’t too rough out on the ocean.
I also had lots of skeptics to deal with. People calling me crazy, assuming it was dangerous. Funny how people are so quick to judge something before they try it. I spent many weeks bubbling by myself or with my friend Wolfgang, we had a lot of fun. The lifeguards and beach police thought I was nuts, and would give me weird looks all the time, but I just kept coming back the next day. I also had to deal with this guy named Al who would send his goons to harass me when I first started. Supposedly, the city of Hollywood sold him the rights to the beach from 8am-5pm and he felt he could bully me until I left (or gave him a percentage of my company) … I never left.
Conveniently, I realized the best time to Bubble was from 6am-8am and then again from 5pm-8pm, so I just went out during those hours, and stopped running into him and his bullies.
Next thing you know, John Lloyd State Park was calling me, wanting to go into business on the north side of Hollywood Beach. But after going back in forth with contracts, I felt they were just trying to steal my idea. So I bailed and kept doing my own thing. I realized I didn’t need anyone.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hollywood Beach Bubble – what should we know?
We like to Bubble!! We specialize in water bubbling off the ocean. Providing a once in a lifetime experience that you will never forget. You can get an incredible workout, sit back and relax, enjoy the sounds of the ocean echoing around you, or dry snorkel checking out all of the fish and sea life floating around underneath you crystal clear. It can be enjoyed by everyone. You do not even have to move if you do not want to.
I am most proud of being able to share so many people’s anniversaries, birthdays and special moments in my Bubbles. So many people have called me wanting to surprise their friends, and even a few marriage proposals. I have enjoyed all of those moments immensely. I’ll never forget.
What sets us apart? Well, we are the only company in the United States that bubbles off the ocean. I guess that says it all.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The people I credit the most for helping me would first be my father, for introducing me to the ocean and instilling in me to be different than everyone else. Always thinking out of the box, or should I say bubble?
I also have to thank my friend Wolfgang for being there from the beginning and sticking by my side when people question my sanity. As I danced around in a bubble on the ocean. Haha.
I also thank my trusty bubble boys who believed in the business, and followed my trial and errors, helping my customers have an incredible and safe experience. We have never had an accident, bubbling with thousands of people.
And lastly, I thank my Fiancé Christian who has believed in me, and has helped me to launch my bubbles into international waters. Always standing by my side for whatever crazy idea I had next.
Pricing:
- 1 person bubble is $30/20 minutes
- 2 person Bubble is $50/20 minutes
- 3 person Bubble is $65/20 minutes
- 4 person Bubble is $75/20 minutes
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.HollywoodBeachBubble.com
- Phone: 954-988-8760
- Email: hollywoodbeachbubble@gmail.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/hollywood_beach_bubble
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/hollywoodbeachbubble
- Twitter: Www.twitter.com/SFLBeachBubble
Image Credit:
Jacqueline Eden
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