The Next Generation: Stephanie Haywood

This interview is part of the article The Next Generation.

Stephanie Haywood – Owner
Blue Springs Boat Company, Kington, Tenn.

What do you see as the industry’s biggest challenge?

I think the biggest challenge is going to be attracting more buyers and younger buyers to the market. One of the biggest challenges we see in our area is that the customer thinks we’re going to be like the local auto dealer or RV dealer, and we are far from that!

What makes you optimistic about the industry?

I’m very optimistic because we have seen the demographic of our buyer change and grow recently, while maintaining the usual customer we’ve always had, along with the fact that we’ve seen our products improve a lot more for the better.

How can we attract more young people to the industry as boaters? 

We have to appeal to their senses and make boating “cool” and interesting to them. You have to be able to get across to them how much fun they are going to have while boating. Or we have to get them hooked on the boating lifestyle at a younger age.

What do you think the younger generation brings to the industry?

Life, energy, new perspectives, new ideas and passion. My husband and I own our dealership, and we often hear from our customers about how they love our energy and passion and that it’s obvious we love what we do.

How did you get involved in boating?

I’ve been boating as long as I can remember! I grew up in the industry like a lot of the other young leaders out there. Then on October 1, 2007, my husband and I funded my parents’ retirement and bought the dealership. Mind you, 2007 was not the best time to be buying a boat dealership, but we weathered through and learned a lot and we keep going forward!

Why did you join the YLAC?

I thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved more in the boating industry and put my “two cents worth” in. Plus it is a great opportunity to meet and get together with other young leaders and share ideas and how we do things. It’s nice to have others around you with the same energy and passion that you have and bounce ideas off each other!  It’s very exciting!

What can boat builders and other manufacturers do to help dealers be more successful?

Websites need to be both dealer and customer friendly! In the technology world we live in, you have to be extremely automated. Plus, they need to be willing to listen to their dealers and be more versatile to change. After all, the dealers are hearing first hand from consumers what they like or would like to see on a boat.

How has your perspective as a young leader helped you improve your company?

We have made a lot of changes in the way we do things that have caused us to see continued growth for us in our area. Granted not all of our ideas were great, but we tried them anyway.  We’ve been open to change and try new things and fortunately it has worked for us! Even some of the small changes we’ve done have helped us with our employees. They are happy, and in return, we get good work and good communication from them.