We here at SHIPSHAPE wish we had an adequate way to introduce this week’s guest but everything we think of seems to fall short.  She describes herself as a business development consultant in the yachting industry, and has become affectionately known as ‘the yacht lady’ but in truth, that is just skimming the surface. 

She is revolutionizing the industry. 

Since stumbling into it over a decade ago, she started gathering information. Across 11 different countries, from dock logistics to corporate strategy and myriad besides. She is testament to what one can do when they apply old knowledge to new ideas. Currently based in Dubai, exploring the yachting world from a new perspective, clamber aboard and join us as she tells her story. How she came to build a virtual empire, teach a subject that didn’t exist before her and literally write THE book on the yachting industry. All starting with snapchat.

Check out more from Marcela

Brought to you by SHIPSHAPE

Transcript ——-

Farah [00:00:00] Hello and welcome to the Shipshape Podcast, a series of podcasts where we meet amazing people and talk about their experiences, personal, technical and all related to the maritime world. Come and dive in and dive in.

 

Georgia [00:00:17] Diving this week on the Shipshape podcast. We are joined by Marcella. It occurred when Marcella is the founder of the yachting consultancy and marketing company Onboard DMC, author of the first ever Superyacht industry textbook creator and host of the Superyacht Academy yachting courses, which are held at the Yacht Club in Monaco. And that’s just the start. So here we’ve grabbed Marcella from her busy schedule to discuss the state of SuperYacht ownership in 2022, what being a yachting influencer really means, and how to combat a lack of information about the industry. So my name is George Tindale and I am a Superyacht journalist and editor freelance, and I am coming from Lancaster in the UK.

 

Merrill [00:01:10] And I’m Merrill Charette and I’m a liveaboard on a Ta-Shing Tashiba 36 in Boston, Massachusetts. So, Marcella, where you are recording this from.

 

Marcella [00:01:18] High low from Dubai.

 

Merrill [00:01:20] Yeah. How’s the weather out there?

 

Marcella [00:01:22] Well, everybody says August is like the worst. They say there’s two seasons in Dubai, Summer and hell, and it’s currently hell. We have I don’t know. How much is that in Fahrenheit? In American. Sorry, about over 100, probably. We have 45 degrees Celsius, so we don’t have snow storms like in Boston. We have sandstorms. So you need to check the weather every day to see if there’s going to be a blizzard. So it’s it’s quite different. But to be honest, it’s not that bad. Like there’s air conditioning everywhere, like in the bus stop, like the public bus stop has air conditioning. So I was scared to come here in August, but so far, so good.

 

Merrill [00:01:57] Hmm.

 

Georgia [00:01:58] I think they know how to handle hot weather Better in Dubai than we do in Europe, shall we say?

 

Marcella [00:02:03] Definitely. You know, like in south of Europe, south of Italy, south of France and in Spain. It’s really hot in the summer, but there is no infrastructure for it, Right. And you just die. Whereas here they’re so well prepared for it that you don’t even feel it like you just continue life as usual, to be honest.

 

Merrill [00:02:20] So, you know, as we get into this, right, and we already know that no one just decides to really come into the industry, they just fall into it. So what is your wild and wacky story of how you got into super yachts and where you are?

 

Marcella [00:02:36] Oh, God. I mean, I’ve always been like boating. My dad has had like a fishing yacht in Guatemala. You know, Guatemala is very well known for sports fishing. So I was in a boat, you know, literally every weekend. And my dad builds his own bows. We he has his own, like, you know, small shipyard in Guatemala, and he does like wooden boats. So and then I’ve always been into the boat building and, you know, into the water, but I never thought it would be a career. So I graduated from finance and then I was in 2008 working for a private bank in Monaco. And as you know, 2008 was like the financial crisis. So everybody lost their jobs. And I was out in the street in Europe without a working visa, and I was feeling quite miserable because I thought, what am I going to do with myself? And then as a business school graduate, I was completely brainwashed that either you work for, like, you know, the top 500 or 500 by a Forbes list or you are in pro banking. Nothing else is a real career, right? So I was quite like, you know, in a crisis. And there was this American company that just started selling underwater lights and it was like, you know, the beginnings of underwater lights. And then they had offices in Antigua, in the south of France, and they were looking for somebody to do sales to shipyards in Italy. So they really hired me just from my languages because they speak, you know, Italian. So I could sell to the Italian shipyards and then I could run the office in Antigua, in French. And then they were American. So and I studied in in the U.S. so I had them American corporate mentality. So, yeah, it was all about languages. But, you know, like you said, it was just like a big, you know, punch in the face And, you know, you just got to, you know, take whatever it comes your way, right? So that was just like a temporary job. And then, yeah, here I am 15 years later, stuck into the yachting industry.

 

Merrill [00:04:31] How many languages do you speak and how exactly did you learn all of these languages?

 

Marcella [00:04:37] Right. So I’m from Guatemala, so obviously Spanish, but I went to the American school there, so English. And then I was learning French in high school. And then when I graduated high school, I went to France. To me, that’s how I ended up there. I went to Niece to like Alfonso’s to like a French school for the summer. And then I stayed there. So then, you know, had an Italian boyfriend. And then he refused to speak in English with me, so he forced me to learn Italian. So I was like, The best way to learn languages, guys is always through boyfriends. And then I was working for this company that wanted to open offices in Rio and they asked me to speak Portuguese and I lied and I said, yes, I didn’t. And then they said, Great, so we’re going to send you to open an office in in Brazil. And I said, I have two months to learn Portuguese. So I took intense courses. But Portuguese is very similar to Spanish. So I was able to pick it up. So and then I never, ever in my life thought I would marry a German guy. And then when I am, I said, That’s enough. I speak five languages. I don’t need a61. But his family don’t speak very well English. And I really wanted to communicate with the grandparents and hear all about their stories. So then, yeah, I just took classes and I learn German and then I got a job in the Netherlands and they say, When are you going to learn Dutch? And I say, Guys, that’s enough. You know, I’m done here. I’m not learning my seventh language now. So that’s it?

 

Georgia [00:06:14] Yeah. I lived in Amsterdam for a few years and then learned Dutch, but I only have one, so I have no excuses. Whereas I think, yeah, by the time if you’ve got German as well then you know that’s pretty good.

 

Marcella [00:06:25] Exactly. In German and that is pretty similar. So I didn’t want it to confuse it because then you start kind of like mixing it, you know. So and then in Holland everybody speaks English like and it’s not like, you know, Germany, not everybody speaks English. So it was quite easy. But my daughter is going to be even worse. So my daughter speaks German with that Spanish with me, French in school, English with the nanny. And now she’s going to go to school here. So she’s going to learn Arabic. So.

 

Georgia [00:06:56] Oh, well, you’ll have to learn Arabic as well then.

 

Marcella [00:06:59] I just know, like, you know, the basic, you know, shukran, Inshallah, you know, yalla. But, you know, just words to get by and then that’s it. But I think I have other other goals to focus on other than languages right now.

 

Georgia [00:07:13] Yeah, I think so. That’s very cool. So. So you’ve told us how you entered the industry and you worked for a company. How did you start building your own kind of thing and your own brand? And you’re saying from that.

 

Marcella [00:07:29] So when I was selling underwater lights that opened the doors to a lot of shipyards, I was literally in a different country visiting shipyards. And that got me on my network of project managers and shipyards. And then I was also organizing properties kept in parties. And then that got me to, you know, to my network of of captains and crew. And then I moved into yacht management. So that moved me into the circle of yacht managers and brokers. And then I was in shipyards. So then I was dealing with sales brokers and then, yeah, I mean, one thing led to another. And then I started also what I like young professionals in yachting in Monaco. I just want an association where I could meet other cool people like, you know, to network and to learn from others and then organize, you know, just workshops and seminars. And I wanted to learn about everything. To be honest, I was really curious. I was like, you to paint like, Oh my God, how do you do yacht paint? You know, Tell me about it. You’re in insurance. Tell me, what are the most hottest, you know, cleans. And I was just very curious, you know, and then I was always just about bringing people together and learning and then, yeah, that’s how, you know, I started White Blue Eyes. So I was the founder and first president. So that’s how, you know, people started to know me in the industry. And I was the one always organizing the cool party. So everybody was like, you know, I was doing captain dinners at the yacht club. I was doing crew parties on board, I was doing shipyard events and stuff like this. So, yeah, just through, through networking and stuff. Then, you know, people got to, got to know me. And actually how my brand started was because I started Snapchatting, Oh my God, I sound like a dinosaur, but I am. I started in the area of Snapchat. I love Snapchat, by the way. It’s my favorite platform, but I don’t use it as much, but it is my favorite platform. And then I started just sharing my day to day life in Monaco and The Secret Life. And to be honest, I never thought people would be interested because for me it’s just like a garage. I mean, you know, secrets are dirty and messy and like and I was just a bit embarrassed. So I was like, you know, not filming everything, but every time I would film stuff, they would be like less like show is more, show is more. And people were really interested. And then I was living out of a suitcase, literally going from, you know, traveling so much. So I was always just sharing tips like what it is like to travel as a for business. Because it’s not tourism. So I’m not like, you know, vacation influence. You know, it’s like how is like to, you know, like do business. And you have to go to this like, you know, shitty, you know, cheap hotels and then, you know, get ready in the morning, are on your shirt. And I was giving all of my, you know, tips like to hang your, you know, shirt on the shower so that you don’t have to wake up one morning to iron. And I was sharing all of this like, you know how it’s like to business travel and then yeah, people liked it and then yeah, that’s how it started. And then I started a blog to share about interesting things. I was learning about yachting because I felt like, you know, the big media companies, it was all biased because it was all like paid input to Angel, but it was not talking about things that I was interested in or that, you know, my generation would like to read about, you know? So then I mean, I write very informal and it’s very like, you know, I, you know, when I write is like if I’m texting you, you know, so it’s not like super elaborated. And I think like nowadays people like that type of, like casual.

 

Merrill [00:11:03] So, you know, you did write a textbook and super yachting. And the thing about writing books is it’s usually a reflection of your own internal type of scenario that you’re in. So can you explain what it was like when you first got into the industry and what that learning curve was like? And like, how did you really manage that?

 

Marcella [00:11:23] Yeah, so actually, like you said, like the book is just like my personal notebook, to be honest. I was so frustrated that, you know, we were selling the most expensive assets like, like it’s more expensive than a jet, than a helicopter, than the villas and the cars. You know, we have the most exclusive industry, sophisticated industry. And yet there was no information. You know, there was absolutely no information. And then I remember when I was in yacht management and people were talking to me about them ISPs, and I was just like, where do I learn this? Like, what is this? You know? And I didn’t want it to be like the stupid person in the room, you know, And I always wanted to learn. So I was always just like Googling and stuff like this. And I was like, guys, like, where do I learn this? And then when I was in the shipyard, you know, people were talking about, you know, bulwarks and, you know, GM bother you and displacements and stuff like this. And I was always like, I mean, I’m not a normal architect, but I want to know, you know, and I was just like, where do I learn this? You know? And the thing is that, you know, because of the association, I was always inviting people. I am I don’t have an architecture dude. Like, can you just come and explain me in easy terms what I need to know about engineering, you know, and then like this type of curiosity. And then if you see my book, it’s written in a very easy like Yachting for Dummies type of language because I didn’t want it to be a textbook. I wanted to be something the me, you know, it’s like, you know, a book for me when I joined the industry that you can explain me the yacht building process because it was nothing. You know, when I wrote the book, I interview the top biggest shipyards, Lucid ketchup, Ocean, I interview the biggest, and I say, Guys, can you just tell me what is the yacht building process? I’m sure you have like loads of PDFs and documents about it. Just send them to me unedited. No, it’s never been written. Ever, ever. You know? And then when I was in the shipyard, I’m like, What is the difference between commissioning, launching and delivery? It all sounded the same, you know, And the news and media is like yacht is being commissioned and I thought it was being delivered. I’m like, How am I supposed to know? And the whole industry just pretend that they know, but they don’t, you know, and they are too afraid to ask questions because there’s this big elephant in the room that everybody’s supposed to know everything, you know. But like, you know, my husband is in finance. I studied finance like there, you know everything because you study it, because there’s books, because there’s courses, because there’s everything, you know. But in the yachting industry, like, there is nothing, you know, there is nothing. There was nothing. So yeah, basically it was like I said, just like my notebook and just me interviewing people out of curiosity and writing it in a way that would be like somebody like me that has no attention span would read it.

 

Merrill [00:13:58] So one of the things about it, right, is the maritime industry and yachting and all of that, because there really is no established kind of like education. And you know, for the most part you kind of have to learn along the way through meeting people and listening and and hearing what they’re doing. How does that affect how quickly someone can actually climb into the industry? How can that affect someone’s career path?

 

Marcella [00:14:22] The thing is that honestly, I’ve met a lot of people that are on top of the ladder that still don’t know, you know, and it’s okay, you know, but they are just too afraid to admit it or to ask, you know? And I feel like there’s a lot of newcomers and young people that are super passionate and then, you know, now they have the resources to learn, which is going to give them years of competitive advantage. I guarantee you there’s a lot of brokers out there that don’t know what my students know 100%. You know, I lounge sometimes we tend to time like teasers of quizzes I do to my students and like. People that have been in the industry 25 years, they like Wal-Mart a lot. That’s hard. Even I didn’t know the answers, you know. So it just to show that there is a lack of of this type of information and, you know, knowledge is power. And there’s a few people that like to keep it that way. So when I started, you know, doing my my books and my my my teachings and sharing stuff on social media, I actually got some of the, you know, big boys and whatever to kind of say like, oh, don’t share too much information, Marcela. Like, you know, this is an exclusive industry, you know, for the selected few. And then they really didn’t like it. You know, it’s like it was so hard for me to get there, like, why are you bringing everybody into it? You know, let’s keep it, you know, close. And I said, well, because it was so hard for me to get here, I would like to open the path for the newcomers and say, like, guys, I fell down in the hole. Be careful or let me open the way here for you, because now I know something, because I’m in in the mountain and I can see clear so I can help you out, you know, Whereas other people, they’re like, I’m in the mountain. I’m it was so hard to get here. I’m not going to help anybody. They should go and fall where I fell, you know, learn their lesson, you know, and learn the hard way. Whereas me, like, why don’t I help you? You know, like, get there.

 

Georgia [00:16:11] Yeah. I mean, obviously, when it comes to sports, there’s always going to be questions about non-disclosure agreements and obviously protecting owners. And we all, when we work within the industry, we all respect that. That’s important. But I think is a very important distinction, isn’t it, between privacy, exclusivity and then just hoarding information. I think it’s finding that balance, isn’t it?

 

Marcella [00:16:32] Exactly. And I think that by sharing information, you are not disclosing the name of the UBO, you’re not disclosing private information. You know, but I like I said, a lot of people like to keep the power this way and they don’t like to share information. And then the answer is like, Oh, I cannot tell you that. And I’m like, Yeah, that information is not going to reveal anything about the owner, you know? But it’s just their excuse, you know, it’s just to, you know, keep power to themselves because they know that knowledge is power, you know. So and I think that nowadays owners are a lot more well educated. And then before they would just trust blindly what one broker said and then maybe, you know, get burned, whereas nowadays they like to be more informed. And then I’ve spoken to, you know, the CEO of Frazer, who tells me that, you know, they have meetings where the kids know a lot more than the owners themselves, and then these kids who are really passionate about boating, they really like, you know, they learn about the models and the days and the dad. And they are really, you know, because now we have the power of the Internet. So if you are interested in something, you can learn as much. Whereas before you really had to rely on what the professional said.

 

Georgia [00:17:40] Yeah. So why are these you allude to these kids, where would they be getting their information about thing then? Is it social media? And if so, which platforms and who are they getting it from?

 

Marcella [00:17:51] And so what I like to do is share likes more snippets about, you know, the yachting industry. I like to promote the yachting lifestyle on what can you do because I know a lot of people that could afford a yacht, but they don’t just because they don’t even know where to start, you know what I mean? And then it seems like such an exclusive thing that is only for the super billionaires, but it’s not. And you know, whenever you make them comfortable, then you’re bringing new people to the industry and it’s just helping the entire ecosystem, Right? So, yeah, they can learn through my books, my blogs, my you know, I have a yachting masterclass, which I’m launching now in Dubai, joining the Young Professionals Association, going to now I have a woman in yachting as an initiative where you go and do you know, networking, learning events, seminars, conferences and stuff like this. So it’s all about you know, it’s not about what you know, it’s all about who you know, but it’s all about cultural sensitivity and going to boat shows and knowing how boating is different in the US than in Dubai, than in the Caribbean, than in Europe, and how that culture affects how you use the boat.

 

Merrill [00:18:56] Well, one of the things that I love about the maritime industry and yachting and just like everything in general, is that we’re all connected by like a sea scape, right? It’s less about, you know, dealing with, I feel like U.S. people versus English people versus people out in Dubai. We’re all kind of in the same industry. And those boats do travel like across the ocean. So I guess what are some tips on the social dynamics of the, you know, yachting industry and communication and things like that? Well, in terms of you’re dealing with so many different cultures, I don’t know. Just speak on, you know, your experience when it comes to connecting with people.

 

Marcella [00:19:37] I think like what I love about Boat love about boating is that there is this like, you know, unspoken, like brotherhood, like, you know, when you’re in a boat, even if it’s like a big boat and a big and a small boat, they still like each other. You know, there is this kind of like community this time of bonding because we like the same thing. We like being in the ocean. We like that, you know, it doesn’t matter the size. You will still, like wave, you know. So I think that in the end, it doesn’t matter if it’s if you’re in a kayak or in a superyacht, you know, it’s still the same feeling and effect of of being in the water. In terms of cultures, you know, like in Latin America, for example, using boats just like to go fishing, you don’t necessarily sleep on board. You know, Latin American people would not sleep on board like we do in Europe, where you talk to for one two weeks of the summer for a month, you know, it’s kind of like a day boating type of thing. You go out, you swim, you’re back, you know, you barbecue at home. It’s more like, you know, also in Florida, you know, it’s not that you spend, you know, ten days on board a yacht in Florida. You know, maybe you go to the Bahamas and back, you know, also in Dubai is like a day trip or even like hours, like they rent yachts, like superyachts are rented by the hour. You can rent disappear for 4 hours, something that would never, ever happen in Europe. You know, they would never allow it. So I think different cultures have different ways of using boats, like in Asia, Hong Kong, you have a lot of yours that don’t even have engines. That’s the joke, because they don’t take the boat out. You know, like the boat is just like a entertainment platform where you invite business people and you do your karaoke and you know, you close your business deal because it’s on a boat and it’s cool. Better than being in an office. But you would necessarily take the boat out, you know, and then, you know, boating in the Holland and, you know, what is the country that has the most boats per capita?

 

Merrill [00:21:25] The United States?

 

Georgia [00:21:27] I would guess the Netherlands.

 

Marcella [00:21:28] Is actually Sweden, believe it or not. Do I mean per capita, Right. Like boats, I mean, so yeah. But also like in Holland, like every person has a boat, it doesn’t matter the size, you know, like everybody has like a small boat. Right? Which is funny because, you know, you would think it would be like Spain or something, you know, in the cold environment. But, you know, Dutch people, they go sailing in the worst conditions ever. And it’s and they are suffering. I’m like, why am I in a boat when it’s cold? But they absolutely love the wind and the elements and the cold and, you know, gray. And it’s absolutely only cloudy. And they’re they’re smiling. And I’m just sitting there like a Latin America is like, What? What are you doing?

 

Georgia [00:22:15] Yeah, I felt like the biggest fraud in the world because I not only lived in the Netherlands, but I also worked within yachting and every single person. I would say, of course you own a boat. I was like, No, no. Biggest fraud ever. Yeah, but they absolutely love it. I think what you’re saying about different cultures and dealing with yachts differently and boating differently is so interesting. But obviously what you’re doing on social media is kind of trying to bring bring different people together and bring this kind of common knowledge. Am I right in thinking that you’re known as the yacht lady on the social media? So what do you I think you could be fairly described using the much maligned term influencer. What do you think about the status of being a sort of influencer in 2022? And does the term have any use for you?

 

Marcella [00:23:02] Yeah, so I don’t like that term because it has a bad connotation. As you know, a pretty little girl shaking her butt and looking cute. But what is an influencer is a person that has influence.

 

Georgia [00:23:13] Over all the.

 

Marcella [00:23:15] Who is an influencer in yachting. An influencer is yachting is anybody that can influence the sale of a yacht. So an influencer can be a lawyer, can be a captain, can be the broker, can be the secretary, it can be the family office, can be, you know, whoever has influence over the owner’s decision to buy a yacht, that is an influencer, right? That’s a real one. It’s and an influencer is somebody that has the power to influence you in a certain behavior, you know. So I like to feel I influence people to buy yachts or know about the yachting lifestyle, to know more about the yachting industry. And there is a difference between an influencer that is just like a spokesperson of an industry. But there’s I’m also a content creator, which is a completely different ball games, you know. So, you know, I have a marketing agency, but I have like a team of videographers, photographers, copywriters. I have the whole package of creating content, right? So we do for video, short video, I do the script, I do the creative storyboard, I do you know, the websites, the brochures, you know, I do like I create like real content, even though if it’s not on my channels, but I create content for all the brokers for shipyards, you know, you don’t even know that it’s me, but it’s me who kind of like created that content. So I don’t like to call myself an influencer because first and foremost, I’m a consultant, so I’m a business consultant in corporate strategy for ship guys, marinas and brokerage houses, an author and then a business owner and a mother, which is my favorite title amongst many other, you know, titles. So I don’t like it when people introduce me as an influencer because I feel it diminishes my professionalism in a way. If you see me as an influencer to share, you know, positivity and good values and, you know, inspire people to join the industry by a chance. Then in that connotation, I like it, but I think that that term has been really wrongly use in social media lately. So I don’t appreciate it when people call me an influencer. So I would just like to make that clarification, you know, is that, yes, I do have that power because I, you know, sold yachts, charter yachts through my channels. And that’s what an influencer is, is right. Is influencing a behavior for sure.

 

Georgia [00:25:36] So tell us, have you do you think you have sold yachts yourself through what you’ve done directly or indirectly?

 

Marcella [00:25:43] Yeah. So like this year. Yeah. Yeah. Owner contacting me saying, you know, I want to sell my yard. And then I said to him, Yeah, sure, I can put you in contact with some brokers. And he was like, No, I want you to sell my yacht. And I’m like, But I’m not a broker. And he’s like, Come on, guys. I’m sure you can do know how to do that. And then I was like, No, I’m really serious. Like, I’ll put you in contact with some brokers on line. He’s like, I don’t want to meet anybody. I want to deal only with you. Here’s my boat. Do whatever you want. And then I ask you. I said, Well, you know, I need to do photo, video, photos that are at I like how much money you want. And then I, you know, created like a very low budget marketing strategy, but created like an awesome YouTube video, you know, a walk through video, a lifestyle video, you know, a social media content. And as soon as I posted it, there’s a client in Germany, sold a YouTube video, and the next day he took a flight and went to see it and made an offer. And I was like, first yacht sales in ever. You know, normally it takes a lot of viewings and a lot of like things. So I’m proud to say that, you know, because of my video and 30 days I saw the yacht and I representing the buyer. So I was really cool. And then I’ve done a lot of charters as well, even though I’m not a broker, but I collaborate with other brokers and a lot of people just reach out to me, you know, Hey, I want to charter a boat. So I’ve done many, many, many, many charters on through social media.

 

Georgia [00:27:11] But would you have ever considered going into yacht brokerage properly yourself?

 

Marcella [00:27:15] To be honest, it’s not that I wanted to, but kind of like my career is leading to that, you know? But I work with other brokers. I don’t want to compete with other brokers, you know? Yeah. So, I mean, I have many business. One is business consulting. Then I have my marketing agency and then I have the educational channels. So my yachting masterclass, my books, I do also corporate trainings and coaching. So yeah, like eventually I will be doing more yacht sales and charters, but I won’t be only a broker, if that makes any sense. Yeah, definitely.

 

Merrill [00:27:50] When it comes to recreational boating in the United States, there’s all sorts of problems when it comes to like hiring people. And obviously the big thing that I believe is the lack of awareness in the industry, which is leading to like a ton of problems. Could you talk about the current state of like employment in the Superyacht industry?

 

Marcella [00:28:07] All right. So in terms of crew, they are more and more and more yachts. So the demand for skilled crew is increasing and yachts are becoming more and more regularized and they need more certificates and you need more, you know, so and then visas is getting really difficult. So in the superyacht industry, what do you think is the most common nationality of.

 

Merrill [00:28:29] Australian.

 

Marcella [00:28:30] South African?

 

Georgia [00:28:31] I was going to say South Africa.

 

Marcella [00:28:36] Yeah. And then South Africans have a little visa issues. So there is a lot of just jurisdictional challenges nowadays. Crew are having a lot of like, you know, mental problems because charters are becoming really intense. So they are, you know, pushing for rotations so that they have more, more free time. But it’s really, really hard to find like, for example, engineers, like they are one of the most like the highest paid engineers. They get like ten grand a month or something and they work only six months a year. So if I were to be born again, I’ll be a yacht engineer. But there is like really like everybody is dying to get like really good engineers. I mean, it’s a tough job. I mean, you’re in an engine room and it’s stinky and it’s hot and it’s like, you know what it is? You don’t have a view and you’re in a dark room the whole day. So it is a tough job. And that’s why it’s really a lot. The problem with crew is that they’re not very loyal. Like they see it kind of like as a, you know, trip abroad program, like, oh, we work for three years, make a lot of money, save it, and then, you know, find myself a real job or they move a lot because of all boats and stuff like this. So yacht owners complain a lot about like having to change crew old time and that they are not very loyal. So we do have a retention problem in terms of crew, in terms of land based professionals. Again, there is a high demand for yacht managers. There’s not enough home. Yacht managers. They try to bring them from, you know, ex captains or from the cruise ship industry. But there is like a really high demand for young managers. And then that, in my opinion, the problem in the acting industry is that there is no regulation in terms of professionalism. I know in the U.S., in order to be a broker, you need to have a license like a real estate agent. Right. But in Europe, literally, I can print myself a business card and call myself a broker and I can sell them millennial yacht. You know what I mean? Like, there is no, like, standardization in that in that sense. So I would like to see a little bit more of professionalism, and I would like to contribute to the education of the industry.

 

Merrill [00:30:40] Well, maybe your educational classes will become the gold standard, right?

 

Marcella [00:30:45] I hope so. That’s the goal. So, yeah, I’m working towards that. But I don’t want to say names, but in the industry it’s run by a small association and then they are not the easiest ones to deal with.

 

Merrill [00:30:59] Well, I feel you on that one.

 

Georgia [00:31:01] Though. I mentioned before that you’re also a mother, and I believe that you’ve written a children’s book amongst one of your many, many things that you’ve done. So I’m actually I know a little bit about the book, but I just think it’s great. So could you just tell us a little bit about your children’s book?

 

Marcella [00:31:18] Yes. How I was once in the yacht club in Monaco, and I had the honor to meet with Peter Kassig, who is like a royal family in Monaco. And he’s an avid sailor. And he just did like a sailing trip around the world. And he came back and he was telling us about, like, you know, his trip and then how he sailed around the world and the animals and the challenges and these things. And then I went back home and then I was putting my daughter to sleep and I told her this story. And then I navigated it like, you know, like how to build a boat and go on an adventure and meet whales. And my husband is like, is a beautiful story. And then I put my daughter to sleep. And then I went in my computer and I just started typing it, you know, And then I wanted the main character to be a girl because my daughter and female empowerment. I just thought, if my daughter ever wants to do that, she can also she should know that she can also do that. And then, you know, so the book is actually a sailing like you actually learn about Portside Star Board, the weather of the waves. You learn about, you know, sailing, you know, the ropes, the parts of the boat. So it’s actually educational. It’s like a sailing book, but like a storytelling. It’s an about adventure and it’s all about sustainability as well, because she goes and she makes friends with the whale who tells her about the pollution. And then she feels that, you know, the ocean has echoed a message that she is like now responsible to share with the world. So she goes back to the land to spread awareness about sustainability and protecting our oceans. So it is a beautiful book and that’s how it started.

 

Georgia [00:32:47] It sounds like we should get a copy of that to every CEO in the superyacht industry.

 

Marcella [00:32:53] Because I think that the way that you change behavior is through education. And then the word sustainability is like so overused. But if it’s from the beginning, they understand that, you know, and then you build a conscience. And the only way to, you know, do something about sustainability is through education. And this is a way that you can, you know, brainwash them in a positive way in the future if they read these stories, you know, and then they would start caring about the ocean and realizing about the problems from an earlier on. And then it will give them also it comes with like a sailing logbook. So they can imagine that they’re going sailing and then they have to ride the time, the weather, you know, So it brings them into this like, you know, it’s an interactive thing that they can put stickers and they, you know, they will want to go boating one day if they if they don’t, you know. Yeah.

 

Georgia [00:33:42] You mentioned already about the fact obviously you’ve got a daughter and you mentioned before that you’re doing things around inclusivity and female empowerment in yachting. You know, I hesitate to ask the question because I always end up asking it, but I keep asking it because it’s important. Where are we up to with that, do you think, in terms of yachting and boating being a man’s world?

 

Marcella [00:34:04] Yeah. So when I started it, the only woman in yachting were like in marketing or as a receptionist or charter broker. That’s it. There was no woman, you know, and in any like top senior powerful positions. But that has changed a lot. Like nowadays, like I see a lot of women, which of course I feel like it’s not even a conversation anymore that we should be having that. So like, you know, ten years ago, I hope now that women have the same rights, there’s still a big p gender difference, which I’m hoping, you know, we’re also raising reason is that there should not be any difference in salary between men and women. There is a lot more of women captains, actually. You know that the captain of the biggest super yacht in the world is female. The you know, the boat.

 

Merrill [00:34:51] Giorgia, what is it?

 

Georgia [00:34:52] I do not read right. Oh, yes.

 

Marcella [00:34:55] So, yeah, so, you know, like the captain on the big. A superyacht in the world is female and there’s a lot of there’s like a group of like female deckhands on Facebook and then, you know, it’s becoming more common things. Or we see women in male roles a lot more. And I think think times have changed like I feel so old now. But when I started in the industry, some people didn’t wanted to, you know, I was like the sales director of shipyard and some people didn’t wanted to deal with them because I was a woman. But then my boss would tell them, you know, speak to her, and then that’s it, you know? So I think that as a woman, you do need to do your job. Like first. You really need to know what you’re talking about and they need to gain the respect and then you do your job. So actually it’s like twice the effort because first you need that recognition and respect and then you do your job, you know?

 

Georgia [00:35:42] Yeah, absolutely.

 

Merrill [00:35:44] I’m interested in hearing about this sailboat that you have. What is it? Where have you taken it? You know, Tell me about that. How long have you been sailing?

 

Marcella [00:35:52] So we don’t use it as much as I would like to, of course, because we don’t have free time. We have a small Bavaria there, too. And we actually during our university years, me and my husband, we lived on boats and we lived there for three years. So yeah, I mean, all over the Med, you know, our lifelong dream is to own oyster, a sailboat and then sail around the world. I actually know some people that did it with their young kids and they did like home schooling for four years. And that’s like a dream to be able to take, you know, my kids around the world and just do like a11 year tour around the world that would you know, I would love that. So we’ll see. I mean, I need to, you know, have enough money to do that or find ways to get paid for sailing around the world. But yeah, both me and my husband, we we love sailing. I mean, he was also part of the sailing team. So, you know, it’s a it’s a passion that I would like to also, my kids have it. And, you know, this this sense of responsibility, of taking care of, you know, just being in the ocean, in nature, you know, what it’s like in the sea when it’s all dark and quiet and the sound of the waves and looking at animals and, you know, it’s just my way of escaping reality.

 

Georgia [00:37:09] Yeah. I was going to ask you, actually, you are one of the busiest people I’ve ever met. And I mean that in a good way because you just have so many plates spinning and so much going on. What do you actually do to relax?

 

Marcella [00:37:21] Yeah, I don’t relax. Months? Yeah. I try to force myself when I get home this time right now. I told my nanny not to come home for the next hour, but when I come home, I like to put my phone away and just play, you know, like playing with my daughter, you know, and try to just be present as much as possible. I do get anxiety that we all do nowadays with the crazy world that we live on. I think not one single person does not suffer from anxiety. So I do too like this, like breathing exercises on you to find like an app or something and just take a break and and do my breathing just to calm down, you know, because of course, we are all going through, you know, we’re living at crazy like the brains are not used to this amount of stimuli and notifications and expectations and social media. So I do take my nine draw your girl types of breaks. Do try to meditate, yoga, sleep or exercise as much as everybody try to fit that, then it’s really difficult. But I wish I could do more and I should do more because overworking is health is affecting my health as well. So I don’t know how to answer this. I’m not the best relaxing person.

 

Georgia [00:38:31] You know, It is really hard finding that balance, especially when you’re in the sort of media sphere and, you know, things are always happening. And also with yachting, what I found is it’s very personable, which is one of the great things about it. But it also means that people just contact you. And I’m sure this must happen all the time to you getting you up. Funny times, even if they’re asking you to sell their yacht, which is great, you think, you know, maybe like 5 minutes off from this? Yeah.

 

Marcella [00:38:56] I mean, I love helping people, but they just even realize that I just can’t do it all, you know? And then people come for everything. Like I have a new business idea. Can I call you? I’m going to change careers. Can I call you a problem? Because this new product is not selling. Can I call you? You know, it’s just like and I always, like, tried to say yes, and I have a lot of students. I teach at universities, I have my own courses. And all of these students are always reaching out. And I try my best to accommodate everything, but I just can’t do it all sometimes, you know? And then, you know, I have LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, Snapchat, you know, tick tock, and then I get so many DMS plus my personal emails, plus work emails, you know, the amount of notifications and stimuli that I get every day, it’s is really hard to handle. Yeah.

 

Georgia [00:39:45] Definitely.

 

Merrill [00:39:46] So as we kind of get near the end, what type of protests would you give to getting into the industry? You know, to be one, two, three, you know.

 

Marcella [00:39:56] Yeah. So I mean. Work. You know, try to go to photos. Try to join associations. Try to, I don’t know, volunteer. You know, much as you can try to talk to people that are out of your comfort zone, if it’s like a different race or culture or position, like, you know, we will learn so much from meeting people that are different than you. Just expand your mentality, you know, like go talk to people you would never, ever talk to. Go talk to crew and captains and brokers. You know, a network. Be curious. Don’t be shy. You know, there is no stupid questions. Learn as much as you can, of course, by the book. You know, if you’re interested, then then you know, learn more. You know, not only my yachting master class, but there are other courses. If you want to learn about stuff about like crew on board. There’s so many courses for crew, There’s not so many courses for land based professionals. But, you know, just learn, you know, try to to find What are you passionate about? Because, you know, if you’re a broker for the sake of being a broker, but you hate it, you’re not going to be a good one, You know, Whereas if you’re an engineer and you love it, you know you’re going to be making a lot of money having you’re going to work only six months a year and you’re going to be the happiest. So try to find like your your passion, but be true to yourself, not because of what school, what your parents want you to be, what you think you should be. It’s just like try to really like find out what your passion is and then, you know, it’s not always going to be fun. Like people talk about purpose and passion, and that doesn’t mean that I love my job every single day. Of course I love it. But there’s hard work and there’s you know, it’s there is many things. And you just have to know that it’s not going to always be amazing, but like, the overall picture is going to be okay, but you’ll have to wake up early. You still have to, you know, handle people you don’t like. You still have to do the sacrifice and you still have to do the thing. But overall, this is what you like doing, you know, And then don’t be stuck in a job that you hate or whatever. And then, yeah, so Learn network.

 

Merrill [00:41:55] Have fun. Awesome. So where can people find you? Where can people find your book? Tell us how people can get a you know.

 

Marcella [00:42:02] So if you’re on Instagram, on board with myself and then I have a page dedicated just for you also, which is on Boy Dot M.C. and then my website is on board and C and then in my website you will find the links. And then the link for the book is the Super Yacht industry dot com. But everywhere you would find you know, my blogs my I just move blog so it’s a bit of I used to have a website just for the blogs so basically like on board with Mozilla it’s all like social media and then on board is like the consulting. And then I used to have them separately because I thought whatever, and then now I merge them. So now, like I’m all on board. BRAND Yeah, there’s my marketing agency business consulting, the books, the masterclasses. I’m actually posting a lot on LinkedIn. So if you want like real industry insights, then I post, like interesting stuff in LinkedIn. Instagram is more lifestyle boating, lifestyle, Superyacht lifestyle. I will start soon doing a YouTube videos about educational videos that you can learn about, you know, architecture, engineering, yacht building, yacht design. I already filmed them. I just need to edit them. I don’t know how you do that because the editing is the worst part. Yes, but yes, soon they will be uploaded. So I’m going to have a full YouTube playlist with educational videos.

 

Merrill [00:43:24] Awesome. It was amazing talking to you.

 

Marcella [00:43:26] Thank you. Yeah, I think.

 

Georgia [00:43:28] We’ve learned more facts about yachts in this podcast than we have many of the things we’ve done. To be honest, Maybe we should have done a quiz we’ll have to do one next time.

 

Marcella [00:43:37] Yes, exactly. Like before joining or something like that. And then learn about this on the podcast or something like that. Yeah, the 7:00 here, so I’ll have to get on. But thank you so much for having me and I look forward to seeing it.

 

Merrill [00:43:51] Awesome.

 

Farah [00:44:05] Check back every Tuesday for our latest episode and be sure to like, share and subscribe to shipshape. Doc Pro. Doc Pro.