Name:
Joey Flotteron
How your clients refer to you:
Joey
Company:
Peconic Water Sports
Contact Info:
Website: www.peconicwatersports.com, Email: info@peconicwatersports.com, Ph. (631) 680-0111
How many years have you been in business?
11 years working as a captain, 0.5 running my own business.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
I worked for a wakeboarding school all through college. After college, I got a job brokering derivatives at a brokerage firm in the city. I hated it and decided I wanted to become a boat captain, so I left NYC and moved out to the East End and started a company.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
I love what I do. I have been very lucky to get to spend so much of my life on the water in the Hamptons. The point of my company is to help other people get out on the water and do the things I get to do every day in a way that is fun, safe, and affordable.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
Building a company is all about people. I sincerely believe that we have the best people in the business on our team. Our expertise shows in our work and it really makes a big difference whenever you are out on the water. We know where to go, what to do, and how to do it. Using our services is safer, cheaper, and way more fun than figuring most of these things out for yourself.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
We teach our clientele to live like we do. We are a group of water sports enthusiasts who come together from across the country each summer to work the Hamptons season. Coming out on the water with us gives our customers a break from the routine. Our coaches spend their winters around the world working and surfing, and they bring that perspective out here with them for the summer.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I still love working and coaching in the boats. Since I started this company we have grown really fast. We now have over 20 employees and 3 locations throughout the East End. Over the last few years, my role has transitioned a lot more to managing and making sure things run smoothly. Every now and then I still get to work camp or charters in the boat though, and that is always really fun.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
It’s a secret.
How do you benefit mamas?
We take their kids and teach them awesome stuff every morning for 3 hours. This gives mamas a chance to do their own thing while their kids get to do the same. We also really try to focus on teaching kids self-confidence and how to better themselves across all aspects of their lives using the lessons they learn in camp with us.
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
Working in this business, we often take out the same kids and the same families for many years. I have some clients whose kids I have been taking for 10+ years now and we have been there watching them grow up the whole time. Hearing from parents about the impact you have had on their children, the type of impact that leaves an impression as they go off into the world as adults, is a really cool feeling.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field:
I have spent the last few years surfing all winter and I have really fallen in love with surfing. If you are looking for something to do in the Hamptons, and you aren’t going to come out with us on some boats or some jet skis, I would really recommend you do some surfing with Lars and the guys at Main Beach. They run one of the best programs out here and I sincerely believe that pretty much everyone should learn to surf.
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
Do what makes you happy. The whole idea for my job now came from me just trying to do the stuff I like to do all day. If you do that, everything else will sort itself out.
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
Make the kids help! We are all about giving kids responsibility and treating them like adults when it is appropriate. If you feel like you can’t get enough done, encourage your kids to help you out!