Growing up, I didn’t just watch my parents run a business—I watched them build a life. My dad, “Pops,” crafted sailboats in Virginia while my mom stitched the sails. Together, they taught me about grit, partnership, and doing things their way.

After a decade in the boat business, we cast off as a family—sailing the East Coast, exploring the Bahamas and Puerto Rico (where my parents first met), before settling in Jacksonville. No matter where we were, one truth held: They always sailed their own course.

Years later, I asked Pops what lesson stuck with him from those days. His answer was immediate: “Reinvestment.”

He told me about buying specialized Navy-grade equipment—something no other small shop had—that prevented hulls from rusting. That bold move didn’t just keep him competitive; it redefined what the market needed.

Today, that lesson guides me. In my work in tax and accounting, I prioritize reinvestment—in knowledge, technology, and relationships—through peer groups and industry communities.

The boats are gone, but the spirit remains: Build with intention. Adapt relentlessly. Never stop exploring.