Today we’d like to introduce you to Reed Nicol
Reed, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Reed earned his entry into the marine industry by way of VanDutch marketing in 2015 after working in sponsorship sales and consulting. At VanDutch, he learned the value of customer care and thought provoking innovation, the base of his character today.
He grew into a VanDutch Sales and Management role while prioritizing client education over a pushy sales strategy, since many VanDutch clients were new to boating, coming to the brand for its modern appeal and ease of use.
While managing VanDutch Sales from 2018-2020, Reed was responsible for globally recognized marketing efforts including the operation of VanDutch + McLaren program during the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix, VanDutch + Dior Art Basel launch in 2019, VanDutch’s 2020 Super Bowl programming with Stella Artois, AT&T, Lady Gaga, and Natural Seltzer, as well as numerous other profitable logistics programs extending the brand’s reach into new media. Since, Reed has made a name for managing major marine logistics programs for some of the world’s biggest brands.
In 2021, Reed incorporated RN Marine to serve a variety of marine needs, including his brokerage services, marine consulting, specialty refits and as an educational source for inspired boaters. Reed is licensed yacht broker with Prestige Marine, a division of Prestige Imports, located in Miami, FL.
Since opening RN Marine, Reed has served a number of happy customers in a variety of marine scenarios, from owner representation on the build of super yachts to the creation of a streamlined process to make your boat charter-ready. Reed also produces an educational and informative day boating newsletter you can sign up for here.
Outside of RN Marine, Reed invented PilePad, a line of specialty dock fenders to protect your boat from obstructions at the dock. PilePad has become an obsession for Reed, which is now expanding into a variety of products to protect your boat, including boat fenders and lift pole sleeves. The mission of PilePad is simple, pad and protect everything while reducing your dockside stress.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I started PilePad in 2020. What I thought was a simple product was anything but simple. Creating a padded surface that was strong enough to withstand impact, but malleable enough to wrap marina pilings was no easy feat. Add the ability to withstand harsh salt-water and UV environments, and PilePad has been through a number of iterations.
We’ve gone through multiple manufacturing processes, lost key production people, were scammed out of money for the startup of online advertising, had to stand up to a few significant warranty claims, and the list goes on.
The key to withstanding conflict – for us – was keeping the company lean and keeping the product simple. As long as we didn’t over extend in either area, we knew we could weather the inevitable storm.
Still today, scaling has been difficult. But regardless, we continue to iterate the product to give our customers the best possible padded protection systems for their boats.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
PilePad is a manufacturer of marine accessories. We design, build and sell our own line of protective padded systems to protect boats at the dock. All too often, boaters – novice and advanced – can be swept off by an unexpected wind gust or current, slammed them into a piling or dock and creating serious and expensive damage to their boat.
We decided to create durable, removable padding systems for standard dock obstructions, like pilings and dockwalks, which are shipped across the country and easy to install with no hardware required.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
None yet but we’re ready for it 🙂
Pricing:
- PilePad XL $395.00
- PilePad Mid $315.00
- PilePad Slim $285.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pilepad.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pilepad
