Canberra local Amy Weatherby knew very little about boats when she took a casual job with eco-boating business GoBoat.

“I started at age 19; it was a weekend job, something a bit different, working outdoors. As I got into it, I experienced so much more,” Amy explains.

GoBoat rents out easy-to-drive, electric-powered boats for families and friends to enjoy Australia’s waterways; customers don’t require any boating experience.

The burst of outdoor lifestyle was a pleasant contrast to her cafe job, and Amy took to the role “like a duck to water”, GoBoat Australia founder Nick Tyrrell reveals.

“Amy has a customer-first attitude, nothing is too much trouble. The name of the game at GoBoat is that customers have a relaxed, stress-free time.

“We have the greatest power to do that checking in; it’s about how to make them comfortable when 90 per cent of our customers have never driven a boat before,” Nick says.

Taking on more responsibility

Amy embraced the opportunities to learn the ropes and to take on more responsibility. Within a year she had taken on a management role at the fledgling business.

“We had doubled revenue by our third year, and needed an assistant manager,” Nick explains.

When the manager role became available two years later Amy jumped at the opportunity.

“I liked that I was moving up in the business and getting to put my own spin on things. I had a say in what went into the picnic grazing boxes, for instance. There were just little touches where I had influence,” Amy explains.

Although she loved the job, thinking about her future, and the influence of friends, brought about a sudden career shift. As the public service expanded in Canberra, she was convinced this was an opportunity to explore.

“I left to join the public service because I thought the grass would be greener,” she says. “I thought it would be good working 9-5. Friends talked about extra benefits and super and I was starting to think about the future – having a family and needing maternity leave.”

Instead Amy found the job constraining. 

“I didn’t enjoy being at a desk all day, I missed the outdoors, and I ended up feeling more drained and tired. And I couldn’t put my own spin on things – I just had to follow instructions,” she says.

From constraints of a desk job to freedom of the outdoors

After a few months in the public service, Amy began to miss the flexibility, outdoor environment, and the sense of community that came with working at GoBoat. The happiness of the guests was a big factor.

“You’re providing an experience for people, they enjoy it, you enjoy it,” she says.

“You can shape your week because there’s more flexibility at GoBoat. I thought I wanted a set routine but found I was dragging myself into work for government,” Amy says.

The experience of a desk job brought Amy back to GoBoat – but this time as a franchisee. She was delighted to hear the business had launched a franchise model, and was keen to get involved.

“The thought of owning my own business, learning a bit more about marketing and money, that’s exciting. I am learning something I can take to networking events, and to new experiences. It’s about looking at the future and what possibilities are out there,” Amy says.

Full circle: former team member buys in

“Having Nick in my corner has been great, he can teach me about business. How do you learn it otherwise?

“I’ve been around a very supportive team so this big step is not daunting. The team has made it easy,” she says.

For Nick, there’s a real sense of excitement in Amy’s franchise journey.

“It’s great to have someone who started with us, without thinking of it as a career, owning their own business. She knows the business, warts and all,” he says.

Amy has just the right combination of customer service and practical skills to succeed, he says.

“We simplify the boating experience, and terminology. GoBoat is a relaxed experience, and Amy’s ability to make customers confident on the water is fantastic.

““But she’s also good at ensuring boats work and look good,” he adds. “She’s very hands on and will do things her way,” Nick says. “She’s already got some great ideas; and I know from my experience with McDonald’s that some of the best innovations come from franchisees. As we grow,  I’m looking forward to harnessing franchisee creativity to improve the brand even further,” he adds.

The operating systems are set up to handle high volume – the Kingston location with 12 boats can take up to 60 bookings a day. It can be fast-paced work.

Amy is the third, and first female, franchisee for GoBoat Australia and will own and operate the Canberra business.

Amy’s got her eye on business success as a franchisee.

“My first goal is to maintain the product we have, it makes customers happy, they get to celebrate occasions out on the water. That drives me, but it’s also exciting to learn the business side. I just want to succeed,” she says.

With GoBoat, Amy is steering towards an exciting business adventure, and with team support, strong leadership skills, and her drive for going the extra mile, she will see a bright future as a new GoBoat franchisee.