How To Become More Involved

brapperdoodle

brapperdoodle

Location
Asheville, NC
I have been thinking on this for a while now and wanted to reach out for some advice. Over the past 3 years I have become completely immersed into the PWC community. In some weird way, it really feels like I found a new home and a family that was there all along. Jet skis changed my life and I wake up everyday thinking about them. I think about them most of the day, and I usually drift off to sleep dreaming of my passion. I have a simple lifestyle and the ability to focus my time on whatever I choose, a luxury most people only hope for. Because of these circumstances it has inspired me to find a way to become more involved in the PWC community. Im not the guy that wants to strike it rich, I just want to feel good about what I am doing and who I am doing it with. I am sure many folks would love to find a job working around PWC in some way or another. I do feel that I have above average communication skills and the desire to learn and share knowledge. I am extremely attentive and can follow instructions precisely, I am also very good at coming up with creative solutions and managing a team. I am NOT a salesman, but I love helping someone find what they are seeking. I enjoy that probably more than anything. I don't think there is a large community of PWC where I live and the idea of starting my own repair business, really doesn't interest me. I just want to put myself out there and see what some of you very successful people have to offer in means of opinion and advice. Like I said, Im not looking for the highest paying job, I want to be part of a real TEAM. How can I become more involved with this lifestyle? Cheers to all :cool:
 
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Half flip95

Formerly pondracer95
Location
Lake Havasu City AZ
Without being the wrench or the salesman, what's left, Factory Racer?

All jokes aside, major OEMs like Polaris, Yamaha, and Kawasaki have tons of support / admin positions. Everything from supply chain to accounting to ethics officers. If you took a position at one of those companies, you could become a real insider without having to wrench or invent.
 
brapperdoodle

brapperdoodle

Location
Asheville, NC
pondracer95 said:
Without being the wrench or the salesman, what's left, Factory Racer?
Click to expand...

haha, you’re totally right! That’s why I’m curious if there are any ideas aside from the obvious stuff. I’m not necessarily looking for a job but I just really like being a part of the jet ski community and want to figure out ways to contribute something to the sport because it has really inspired me!
 
kevbo

kevbo

Location
dfw
The community is largely a bunch of fickle people who come and go very quickly. People tend to overcapitalize up front and want out fast as soon as their interest wane a little. All riding groups sooner or later completely vanish. You may be able to find employment or start a company that services the industry. Otherwise just enjoy the scene and try to keep a network of people to ride with.
 
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E350

E350

Site Supporter
Location
Sacramento Delta
Cool, we get to crowd source your future!

First, the basics. How old are you.? Are you married? Do you have kids? Can you move? Can you travel for work?

To work in the ___(insert pwc industry/trade/service)___ you need to fulfill a need.

You can determine what if any needs there are in the pwc industry by your observation or experience or by asking.

What needs are there in the pwc world?

Asking here is a great start.

Traveling to Lake Havasu City and asking each one of the shop owners, manufacturers, riders what you could do from your current location or from Lake Havasu to fulfill a need would be another way to start.
 
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mthomps

mthomps

Location
Cleveland
Never take for granted having time and money. I've never figured out how to have both at once. I started out digging pennies from the couch for gas and saving up for parts to fix a break down. 10 years later I can afford goodies but get a day a week to ride and my ski has more power than my weak body can handle. (Just an angry little x motor, nothing special, even)

I certainly plan on getting back in riding shape but I'll never be more than a casual rider. And that's fine with me.

For you, dig in to your local scene. Ride with as many people as possible. Work with your local government and organize legal rides you can promote here.
 
brapperdoodle

brapperdoodle

Location
Asheville, NC
E350 said:
First, the basics. How old are you.? Are you married? Do you have kids? Can you move? Can you travel for work?
Click to expand...

Well, Im currently 32. Not married. No kids. Really don't want to move because I own my home and its very unique (although I wish It were closer to the water). I could totally travel though!

I think my location is a great one, but not necessarily for watercraft. I live in the mountains but with Charlotte just 2 hours away, there are several lakes and I think quite a few stand up riders.

I don't know how to bridge this gap, but it seems like parts availability is spotty most of the time. Are there any distributors like Western Power Sports or Parts Unlimited that carry jet ski parts? Ive seen Hot Products catalogs and that seems like what i'm talking about. I would love to work parts at a jet ski shop, connecting the dots for people and being able to source parts. I understand that some companies do that on their own and wouldn't want a middle man making money off their products though. I was listening to a recent podcast with Victor Sheldon and he was talking about when he was racing for Butch's they would just use whatever parts worked the best because they sold stuff from all the manufacturers. I certainly don't have enough money to open my own shop, but it would be cool if I could! Nowadays, people have entire businesses based on selling parts they don't even have in stock. You get a website and when people place orders, the product gets drop shipped from the manufacturer. I wish I could do the opposite, have a physical location with different manufacturers parts and ship them for the manufacturers when the products sell from their website. I just enjoy talking to people and I have good organizational skills. I think being able to work with or for a company that needed a middle man to connect the dots and create good working relationships with clients and partners would be awesome.
 
E350

E350

Site Supporter
Location
Sacramento Delta
Ok, I don't know anything. So, I hope others will correct my misunderstandings for you.

I would focus on what the need is. I would like the need to be standups, so let's use that as an example.

So, what is the need? And like Steve Bannon says: "What is your super power?"

If the industry needs to sell parts to standup jet ski owners, then I think that need is likely met by @JetManiac and @john zigler and Partzilla.com and Blowsion and others.

If the standup industry needs to grow, then maybe being a manufacturer's rep and taking demo skis to a defined place on a defined date for people to demo ride who have prepaid their demo fees online to the manufacturer? Personally, I have always wondered how one of Blue's Big Bore engine performs. Would you fulfill a need for @Blue if you had one of Blue's Big Bore engines in your ski and you took it to local ride spots on defined days? (You would have to have good observation skills and judgment and proper insurance and should probably take a credit card or hold a driver's license and a liability release for each rider and/or their parent.)

If standup riders can't properly tune their carbs or don't know how to mod their skis for their particular desire, then maybe being a mobile mechanic would fulfill a need. We have a family friend who has been flown internationally to prep skis for high powered sit down races. There is a member of the 7.3L PSD subforum on Ford-Trucks.com who travels across the Nation to install veggie fuel systems.

1. What is the need?
2. What is your super power?

P.S. speaking to people is only an extra super power if your main super power is being a true master at the thing the buyer is buying.
 
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brapperdoodle

brapperdoodle

Location
Asheville, NC
Absolutely, its easy to be enthusiastic when you truly believe in a product. Being a master jet ski wizard takes DECADES! I just need to get myself around more riders and keep thinking creatively!

I really appreciate all of the response. This is all very helpful and a great place for sharing ideas. Im really just daydreaming out loud :)
 
Chris024

Chris024

Location
Phoenix, AZ
Hey Brap, a little late to the party, but just found this thread so figured I'd throw out an idea. Have you ever looked into/considered customer service jobs? Other names are like customer care advocate, or customer relations, or service representative. I have a buddy who's big into mountain biking and recently got a job with a major bike company in the area and loves it because he basically just gets paid to answer calls and talk to people about bikes all day. Maybe even potential to work remote. Not sure if yamaha/kawasaki/bombardier or maybe even other shops would have these positions, but might be worth checking out!
 
tor*p*do

tor*p*do

Squarenose FTW
Site Supporter
Location
NW NC
But a fleet of video drones, nice cameras and attend every freeride on the east coast. Set up a blog and get tons of killer footage to share the stoke with the community
 
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