Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Burnfin.
Hi Dana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I do not have one of those stories where I went to a fancy school to learn about the service industry or tourism nor, working for a company that gave me knowledge and experience to grow and venture on my own.
Nope, I’m self-taught, don’t repeat your mistakes, what can I do to move forward type of female. I guess you can say it all began when I was working for an Engineering company in Orlando. Working 14 hours a day, commuting over an hour, no family time, stress from work, and ever so tired.
The corporate world chewed me up and spit me out, they let me go, I was devastated, it was so hard to get another job in that industry because it was predominately male, and most engineering companies work with each other. I felt so lost. One day, I decided to take my jet ski out and just clear my head.
As I was traveling down the water and had the sun beating on my face just asking the universe to send me the answer. I thought, ” This is it; this is what I want to do”. Too many times we get caught up in being an adult, the faces we wear, the responsibilities. where is the freedom and release from everyday life?
I started with two skis in my garage, made my website, and started investing in my dreams instead of someone’s else. Thus, began the Move Aside Jet Ski Rentals journey.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t think you can be a business owner and not make mistakes and have I learned many. The reason I say learned is that once you make them you do not repeat them. Overcoming them makes you stronger and you are able to proceed with this new information, becoming a better version of yourself and what you do.
When the business started growing there were only so many jet skis you can put in your garage and driveway before the HOA gives you a piece of their mind. So now, I needed to get a shop. I was so excited about this new venture I was on. I walked into an empty shell. I got to make this my very own business space. I saw in my mind’s eye what I wanted and went to work, with a little help from my friends. Now I was able to do all my paperwork, meet and greet the customers, and had enough space for all my skis and more.
I used to be the only company that operated out of the Clermont Chains of Lakes, I believe people started getting their tax returns and just tried to open a jet ski company overnight. All of a sudden there were multiple companies at this lake. It got unruly for a while. I went to the city council meetings multiple times and was finally granted a permit. Since then, the fly-by-night companies have left and we were voted #1 in the Orlando-Clermont area.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I run a Jet ski company in the tourist capital of the world. The many different faces, my team and I meet on a daily basis are astounding. It all starts with a phone call after we make the reservation they meet us at the office, we do some light paperwork and we get them fitted for jackets. The renters then drive to Waterfront Park in Clermont.
They are greeted by one of our Adventure Specialists who shows them the operations of the jet skis, the rules of the water, and how to connect their phone to the Blue-tooth feature on the ski. The place where they ride has 7 chains of lakes, two beach areas, a splash pad for kids, and restaurants out on the water. The Adventure Specialist, takes you under bridges, through canals, and into other lakes. You get to see a lot of Florida’s natural beauty. It is a feast for the eyes.
My favorite part of my job is when we rent to people who have never ridden before. when I first talk to them, they are nervous. I assure them that they are in good hands. When they return from riding, the sun has kissed their skin, their hair is all wild from the wind and they carry a smile from ear to ear. I know I have done my job.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Every day presents new challenges, should I buy more skis, will the winter months be profitable, should I expand locations? I don’t think there is any reward if we don’t take risks, after all, isn’t that what life is all about?
All I can say is anything you do you must be passionate about; you must wake up every day and raise your arms up and say. “Today is going to be great”. Then go out and make it that.
Always move forward and when you have to make those hard decisions, I like to hop on my jet ski, go out and ride towards the sun, and again, I ask the universe to send me the answer.
Pricing:
- March: 1 hr. $149.00 per ski per hr.
- 1 ski /2 hrs. $199.00
- $10.00 fuel charge per ski
- half day $600.00 per ski
Contact Info:
- Email: info@moveasidejetski.com
- Website: http://moveasidejetski.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moveasidejetski/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moveasidejetskirentals
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/moveasidejetski
- Other: tiktok.com/@moveasidejetski
