Today we’d like to introduce you to Ted Sharkey.
Hi Ted, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I arrived in the keys a few months after hurricane Irma to visit my cousin; notorious local musician Barry Cuda. This trip was supposed to be about a week. I was in between jobs and driving around the country, unsure of what was next. ‘Cuda asked if I’d stick around for a couple of months to help him with some post-Irma clean-up and repairs, so I got a part-time job telling ghost stories and immediately fell in love with the darker side of Key West’s history.
By the time we had finished working on his house, I was offered a full-time salaried position to manage the local trolley ghost tours and decided to stick around. After almost three years of building a reputation as a local expert on all things haunted, I linked up with my mentor and friend David Sloan to become the new owner of The Original Key West Ghost Hunt in late 2020. Since then, The Ghost Hunt has grown tremendously, we have worked together on a variety of projects and I will be publishing my first book on Key West’s Haunted Saloons later this year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The Keys can be a hard place to make a living, but they say “The Island decides how long it wants to keep you” and every time I think I’m going to leave, something good happens to keep me here. Whether it was finding housing in a difficult market, navigating a global pandemic, or keeping a staff of local experts, I’ve managed to make it all work one way or another.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I had a hard time choosing between “professional” and “Creative” in the drop-down menu because I feel I straddled the line between the two. I’m known locally as a true professional with respect for employees, guests, and fellow business owners alike. The relationships I have cultivated in my short time on the island are invaluable to me; from the fantastic tour guides and creatives, I’ve met to the partnerships with other local businesses. I’m also known to write a mean script and turn a phrase or two, too.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’ve drawn plenty of inspiration from the works of David Sloan. My interest in the macabre started long ago with R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps book series and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic films. These days I’m a true crime junkie, whether it’s television, podcasts, or written articles.
Pricing:
- The Haunted History Ghost Hunt – $28
- Our classic 90-minute walking tour with true stories and ghost hunting equipment provided
- Every night at 9:00 PM
- Also, ask about the Rum & Spirits Distillery tour at Hemingway Rum Company – Thursdays and Saturdays
Contact Info:
- Website: ghosthuntkeywest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hauntedkeywest
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghosthuntkeywest
Image Credits
Ted Sharkey; Ashley K Dixon
