This week we chat to Jessie Dobie, co-founder – alongside fellow professional sailor and partner Adrian Fawcett – of Switch Sails. Jesse and Adrian decided they weren’t suited to working for other people, so they both decided to leave their jobs and make sail-making their full-time gig. Adrian does most of the design and deals with customers while Jesse focuses on the bookkeeping and marketing, with both actually making the sails.
ISB: What was the driver behind turning the sport you competed in into your own business?
JD: Professional sailing is weather dependent, and my partner and I both train and compete, so we were always looking for a way we could be able to work around our training and competing commitments. Mother Nature doesn’t tend to take notice of things like weekends, so it became difficult to find a balance between work and sport. The ability to set our own schedule and do things how and when we wanted played a major role in the decision. The freedom and flexibility we now have thanks to running Switch Sails means we get to do what we love all day, every day, and balance our commitments around the weather.
ISB: How has the fact that you are life partners as well as business partners benefited Switch Sails?
JD: We find there is this extra “sixth sense” that only comes with being more than just a business partner, which creates an amazing level of trust. We trust each other’s gut instincts, especially when it comes to the more important decisions. We have a greater understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and can be more understanding and receptive if the other is having a bad day. Switch Sails is not just our business but our life, so even if the doors are closed for the night, business never stops, and discussions can continue on ways we can improve, grow and innovate.
ISB: On the other hand, what are the challenges of such an arrangement and how do you manage to overcome them?
JD: The biggest challenge is making sure work doesn’t become all-consuming. We find that we are together the majority of the time, so business can easily take over everything that we do, and dominate evenings and weekends. We need to actively schedule “me” time, and plan activities we enjoy outside of the business to make sure we can maintain our mental health, wellbeing, and relationship. Communication is also key – regular debriefs keep us on the same page and excited to keep moving forward and see where the business will take us.
ISB: You strive to see to it that your customers are treated like family. How do you ensure that your customers always experience that “familial” treatment?
JD: Our customers are a huge part of our business, so we like to go that extra step and develop ongoing friendships. Taking the time to listen and learn their story, and not rushing them out the door is the first step. Even when our to-do list is out of control, we love making time to stop, and have a chat and a coffee with our customers. At the end of the day, we want to provide our customers with something they love, so we also like to involve them in the design and building process where possible. This gives them a chance to have a say, and come away with a sail that they love.
ISB: How do you manage to run your business remotely, considering you’re at sea so much of the time?
JD: Mobile technology has had a huge impact on our business, letting us work no matter where we are in the world. For example, we have been using mobile invoicing app Invoice2go since 2011 and we would be lost without it. Being able to send invoices, receive payments and do all our accounting activities on site or our at sea means we don’t have to spend time invoicing after hours, or forgetting to bill someone altogether!
ISB: Finally, what is the #1 piece of advice you’d share with couples considering going into business together?
JD: Just do it. Why wait until you have retired to spend more time with your loved one? You might not get there, so make the most of the opportunity while it’s available, and you can work hard knowing the person beside you has your back. Also, enjoy running your business, but remember to make time for each other outside of work.
