🙋‍♀️ Meet our Multi-tasking Genius, our Operational Expert, aka our Sales and Customer Success Operations Manager: @Rebecca Florissi!

Originally from Portugal, Rebecca has over 6 years of experience working in operations and commerce in the yachting industry. She is passionate about the potential for improvement within chartering operations, and strives to make an impact with Floatist.

What made you want to work in the yachting industry?

I did not grow up in the industry. My first contact was while at university, during my first internship, where I fell in love with the yachting industry. Not long after that I started pursuing my sailing licenses and I am still at it.

Professionally speaking, it’s a small but mighty industry, where you get to meet everyone regularly at different industry events, and make relationships that are all connected with the best feeling ever; sailing. Being able to work for something that most people only dream of as their holiday is one of the best gifts.

What do you like most about working at Floatist?

After working in the industry for a while but mostly following the set path dictated by what already existed, working at Floatist and creating a new, much needed path and solution for the industry is very refreshing.

It feels as if we are shaping the future of yachting, and it is very fulfilling to know we are helping fleet operators innovate and we are changing the industry for the better.

How do your previous professional experiences in the industry help you in your role at Floatist?

Before joining Floatist, I have worked at a travel agency that specialised in events in the yachting industry and later at a charter broker.

My experience was varied, from skipper and chef management, to commercial, operations, customer service etc.

I wore many hats, both in the office and on-site, but all were linked with the yacht charter business, which gave me great insight on most things maritime industry.
Since Floatist is a small startup, everyone is needs to wear a lot of hats to make it work, so this is not new for me!

Moreover, I experienced some of the challenges first-hand in the overall structure of charter operations and I understand different perspectives that allow for me to give my two cents in shaping Floatist.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for the coming months?

As with any transition in any industry, changing traditional ways can be challenging.

We have seen this especially in the yachting industry though, which has experienced slow adaptation of new trends like using apps and digital tools, especally comparing other industries.

This seems mostly the case because the generation that started, and is still running a large amount of the industry, is resistant to change their ways.

However, with the next generation of people getting involved, we are seeing more and more charter companies that reach out to us because they want to innovate, improve their customer experience, make the data they are collecting insightful, and make their business more efficient and future proof.

What is your favourite feature of Floatist’s product?

It's hard to pick only one, but if I had to: Mobile Check-in. The fact that you can allow charter clients to do the check-in at their own pace, independently of any technical base staff, with images, videos and instructions in their own language is just a game changer if you ask me.

Doesn’t that sound like charter check-in reinvented to you? A skipper’s dream!