Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Shoultz.
Hi Katie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started diving with my dad when I was 12 years old. I had always loved the water and as soon as I was old enough, I couldn’t wait to join him as his dive buddy. Growing up in Arizona, there wasn’t much water around, so our yearly trips to California or Mexico were something special to look forward to. As I finished college in the middle of a recession, there weren’t many jobs to be found, so I was ecstatic to accept a job as a Divemaster in Tampa. I hung up the phone after accepting the position, promptly looked Tampa up on a map, and was on the road within two weeks. I spent 6 years working full time as a diver and teaching classes on the side on my days off. I obtained a business degree in my spare time (HA!) and decided to strike it on my own teaching full time in 2017. Since then, I have relocated to Orlando, and added dive travel to the agenda. While every dive shop tends to visit the Florida Keys and Bahamas, which we do that too, we prefer to go off the well beaten path and coordinate trips to unique destinations like Cambodia, Cuba and the Galapagos, bring the best of land and sea together in single, custom itinerary trips. Shoultz Scuba also specializes in dive leadership development, training Divemasters and Instructors to do exactly what we do. Starting in May, this strong reputation of Instructor development has earned us the designation as a NAUI Approved VA Testing Center, which will allow us to accept GI Bill® funds for dive training from introductory level through Instructor Trainer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t think any small business owner takes a smooth road, and certainly not a straight one. I never set out to be an entrepreneur, or even a dive instructor for that matter. One day and one event at a time led me to where I am. I love the ocean and everything underwater. The sensation of weightlessness. The ability to leave world and it’s complicated state behind, even if for only an hour at a time. Shoultz Scuba began when I took the next natural leap in my never-ending quest to spend as much time underwater as possible, and to introduce as many others to this fantastic, unimaginable world as possible. I quit my job, crossed my fingers, and hoped I could make it. There was no back up plan, no savings in the bank. Just a daily quest to find the next new divers and schedule the next trip. Fortunately, the ocean speaks for itself, and divers are a naturally curious and social breed. Today the biggest challenge is how to fit everyone into the schedule!
As you know, we’re big fans of Shoultz Scuba Services. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Shoultz Scuba is owned and operated by Katie Shoultz with significant support from her fiancé, Garrett Cooper. Both are dive instructors and love traveling. Katie has been teaching diving for nearly 10 years all around Florida but relocated her primary operations from Tampa to Orlando in 2019.
Katie is also very involved with SCUBAnauts International, a dive group aimed at building character and leadership in teens age 12-18 through scientific diving and marine research activities. Her love of the ocean and everything in it runs deep, but there are many challenges facing our oceans today. The youth in SCUBAnauts giver her hope that this generation will be the ones to tackle these interdisciplinary challenges.
In addition to working with teens, Katie enjoys training new dive instructors who share her passion for bringing new divers into their underwater world. Being a good dive instructor requires a combination of strong dive skills, good communication and customer service, as well as attention to details and safety. Starting in May, Shoultz Scuba has been approved to accept GI Bill® funds, opening up a huge opportunity for military serve members to become divers and even dive instructors. The skill sets align in so many ways, and many veterans report significant health benefits from diving as well. As retired Army, Garrett is excited to share the sport with fellow veterans as well!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@shoultzscuba.com
- Website: shoultzscuba.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/shoultzscuba
Image Credits
Katie Shoultz
