2019: A year in review

Before I begin, I must admit, I had a tough time trying to figure out how to start my year in review. After much thought, I decided I wanted to focus on my growth in 2019 instead of what has held me back. 

So….2019 as a whole, has been a year of ‘New’ for me. 

After the fanfare of New Years had worn off, I was living in Palm Coast, FL and felt a weird knot in my stomach. It was almost like I was missing out on life. After talking to a few close friends, I realized I have what many sailors call ‘the itch’ (ie: I was craving to get back out on the water, and just didn’t know it). I sent out a handful of resumes and continued grinding away on the Paul Landry Empire while I waited to hear back. 

In March, I received a call from a captain in Ft. Myers, FL offering me an amazing opportunity on board a superyacht as a First Mate. After a quick three day ‘trial run’ I was quite literally brought on board. You can read all about it in my Ft. Myers blog here. 

Come early June, and I was flying to the French island of Martinique for a yacht delivery! It was only my second time doing such a thing, and my first leap in the Carribean. I could go on for days talking about my experience there, but we simply don’t have enough time. After successfully delivering the yacht to the Dutch island of Bonaire, I was once again back in Ft. Myers to fulfill my contract. 

Days after my 22nd birthday in September, I once again saw an opportunity and seized it. This time it was as a Private Yacht Captain in Chicago. It was very much a baptism by fire kind of gig, but I picked it up quickly and felt after two weeks on the job, I had settled in nicely. Being in Chicago was very surreal for me. I had always read about it or seen it in the movies, but never actually stepped foot in it before now. The buildings, the architecture, the parks, and the all around hustle bustle of the city was thrilling. It really is true what they say about others around you motivating yourself. I found myself waking up early and hitting the coffee shop with all the “regulars” to get cracking on work. After a month and a half (two days it seems looking back at it) I was once again packing my bags. No, I wasn’t fired… It was merrily getting too chilly to make boat trips enjoyable, and thus signaling the beginning of the winter season in Florida. Once the yacht was put on the back of an 18-wheeler, I headed down to South Florida myself. Four days later, I was stepping foot in the boatyard of sunny Palm Beach. Bouncing from hotel to hotel while the yacht had a major refit was fun yet exhausting. I never really felt like I could settle down all the way. 

During this time, many small but essentially steps were being implemented here at Paul Landry Co. I had taught myself how to sew in Chicago, and honed my skills over the next few weeks as I pumped out crewneck after crewneck to coincide with our first outerwear release. I am never one to complain about being too busy, but boy was the arrival of Christmas much welcomed. Additionally, Dec. 1, I hired my first staffer! Not quite full time, but a part time assistant to help me with the growing amount of social media work. 

Lastly, and most importantly, I was able to finalize sourcing and manufacturing for our signature hats; releasing those puppies just over a week ago! 

The day after Christmas, I made my final move until May to Miami Beach, Florida. The apartment has an amazing view of Biscayne Bay and downtown (ie: to die for). 

I am unbelievably grateful for all the amazing opportunities that have come my way in 2019, especially the growth of Paul Landry Co. It truly has been a year of ‘New’, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Cheers, 

Paul Landry