How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success? I set goals with a mindset of continuous improvement. Each year, I challenge myself to outperform the previous one in results, leadership and personal growth. I believe there ' s no true ceiling, so I stay focused on raising my standards. I break down long term visions into short term, measurable goals, because consistently accomplishing small wins builds momentum toward bigger outcomes. For me, success isn ' t a destination, it ' s a process of setting clear targets, executing daily and steadily pushing beyond what I achieved the year before. What boat did you learn to boat on? A Mako 17 Skiff. Where is your favorite place to go boating? Anywhere in Florida is hard to beat, but recently I ' ve really enjoyed exploring the Suwannee River with my wife and spending time on the Gulf. The Suwannee offers peaceful, untouched scenery and that classic " Old Florida " feel, while the Gulf gives us incredible fishing and wide-open water. We also love Table Rock Lake in Missouri for its clear water and beautiful Ozark backdrop. Each place is unique, but what ties them together is their natural beauty and the chance to unplug and enjoy time on the water. Who was your hero as a child? As a child my heroes were my mother and father. Both worked incredibly hard and were models of discipline, resilience and strong work ethics. Even during seasons when I didn ' t always have the focus or drive, they never wavered in their support. They always pushed me, believed in me, and showed me that anything is possible with commitment and effort. My brother has also been a strong example of discipline and consistency, even as the younger sibling. I was fortunate that my first and greatest heroes were right at home. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? Outside of boating, my favorite hobbies revolve around time spent with my wife, Lissette, on our small farm. We care for our two dogs, Lana and Zoe, along with our goats, ducks, chickens, tortoises and donkey, Rocket. We also enjoy growing food and constantly improving the property. Farm life is hands on and requires hard work, but it ' s incredibly rewarding. Watching the animals thrive and seeing the results of daily effort brings a different kind of fulfillment. Some of our best memories are made out there, doing simple, meaningful work together and building something that ' s truly our own. Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry? Young professionals should consider the marine industry because the opportunity is incredibly diverse. It ' s an industry that brings together talented people from different backgrounds, united by a shared passion for life on the water. Boating is where memories are made, but what makes it special is that you ' re not just creating those memories for customers- you ' re building your own within the industry as well.
TRAVIS PEPIN
DIRECTOR OF MARINE OEM PARTNERSHIPS, TRADER INTERACTIVE
What first drew you to the marine industry? Boats! I ' ve been passionate about boating, especially wakeboarding and waterskiing, since I was a teenager. I always believed that combining your passion with your career makes for the most fulfilling work. The idea of being around cool boats every day, talking about them and driving them, sounded more like having fun than being at work, and I was right. Plus, my first job in the industry involved wearing flip flops and shorts to work every day, which really sealed the deal. What was your first job? My first " real " job was working on a farm down the street from my house. I was in charge of the farm stand. I got my first taste of sales by negotiating deals selling pumpkins and was hooked, thus began my entire career in sales.
What accomplishments are you most proud of? I am proud of the impact I ' ve made on growing the boating community throughout every role I ' ve had in this industry. While working on the dealership side, I introduced many consumers to boating and helped them get on the water. On the dealer consulting side, I helped dealers and brokers connect with consumers to grow their business. Now in my current role, I partner with marine OEMs to provide the tools and strategy needed to build their brands and connect with current and prospective boaters. I love this industry and I ' m proud of the ways I ' ve contributed to its growth. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? I have had a tremendous network of mentors throughout my career. Two individuals who especially stand out are Corey King, a colleague from my dealership days, and Carie Godfrey, a colleague from my time at Boats Group. Both possess a wealth of industry knowledge and have always generously shared their insights and answered my questions, something they still do to this day. Most importantly, both reinforced the same value I ' ve always had in sales: take care of the customer first and the sale will come after. Doing what ' s best for the customer( not the sale) will always cultivate the most success in the long run. As a young professional, what are the biggest challenges you’ ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them? I didn ' t grow up with any ties to the marine industry. We didn ' t have a family business or deep family tradition tied to boating. I just fell in love with it on my own. So, starting out, my biggest challenge was breaking into the industry by finding an opportunity and then learning the ins and outs of the boating world. I worked hard, asked questions and wasn ' t afraid to try. I love learning new things, and that desire to continually push myself and expand my knowledge helped me gain valuable industry expertise. I ' m still constantly seeking out new opportunities to learn and grow. How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry? I hope to inspire others to see the impact they can make by building relationships and genuinely helping others. My success has come from the wealth of relationships I ' ve built and my willingness to always help. This mindset can translate to any role in this
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