🚤 Boat Rental Company - Marco Island Making $1M/yr!

Here’s what we have for you today:

Confusing Corporate Sayings:

“I don’t care what people say about you, I think you’re great.”

Professional Translation
“A personal compliment meant to boost your confidence.“

Corporate Pivot Translation
“People are definitely talking… and it’s not great for you.“

Sam’s Perspective (1st Time Buyer)

🆕 Status Update: Secretary Method 3/100 – Concrete Contractor

This week I checked out a concrete contractor. Numbers looked solid, good margins, consistent revenue, equipment included, and a backlog of booked jobs. On paper, it felt like a low-drama, blue-collar business with steady demand.

But then I dug in a little more.

Turns out it’s been around just a couple years, and the owner is doing everything. Sales, management, probably even picking up bags of concrete. SDE looks strong, but once you factor in replacing the owner’s full-time workload, the net drops fast. The only full-time employee is the owner. No team, no manager, no process, just grit.

If you’re someone who wants to be on the job site every day and grow from the ground up, this could be your thing. But for me, it’s not quite the right fit. I’m looking for something with systems, team, and at least a little breathing room from day one.

Another good rep. Three down in the Secretary Method. Patterns are starting to show.

Tyler’s Perspective (Experienced Buyer)

🆕 Status Update: When I bought my home service business, I quickly realized the systems were just as important as the route or customer list. And in this case, the systems barely existed. Scheduling was done with the world’s most confusing spreadsheet and a lot of random texts. Invoicing? Same deal. Hit or miss and mostly done through texting too.

If you’re looking at a small business, make sure you really understand how the day-to-day runs. Sellers will often say, “we’ve got systems in place,” but once you take over, you realize that means a few half-working tools and habits duct-taped together.

Building structure from scratch slowed me down way more than I expected. And anytime you roll out changes in a home service business, it tends to shake things up and cause turnover. A business with solid operations already in place is a huge advantage. It’s not the exciting part, but it’s what keeps things moving.

💰 Deals < $500k 💰

Business Name:📦 eCommerce Logistics & Reverse Fulfillment Company
Revenue: $695,682
Asking Price: $500,000
Profit: $170,335 (Profit Margin = 24.5%)
Location: Tampa, FL (Relocatable)
Established: 2017

✅ Pros:

• Rated #1 on Amazon SPN: Strong reputation drives trust and inbound leads.

• High repeat rate: 75% of revenue comes from returning customers.

• Low overhead: Minimal warehouse and labor costs keep operating margins lean.

• Recurring revenue: 80% of income comes from ongoing services.

⚠️ Cons:

• Niche model: Primarily serves international eCommerce brands, which may limit local expansion.

• Hands-on logistics knowledge may be required: New owner should understand warehouse flow and returns management.

• Limited physical assets: Most value lies in process and customer base, not FF&E.

📈 Growth Opportunities:

• Launch DTC resale site for unclaimed returns or excess inventory.

• Target U.S.-based brands needing affordable reverse logistics.

• Invest in marketing or strategic partnerships to diversify customer base beyond Amazon sellers.

💰💰 Deals $500k - $1m 💰💰

Business Name: 🔧 Fleet Service Company – Saint Lucie County
Revenue: $1,540,743
Asking Price: $865,000
Profit: $307,781 (Profit Margin = 20%)
Location: Saint Lucie County, FL
Established: 2016

✅ Pros:

• Government and commercial clients: Includes inspections and service for Fortune 500 fleets and public school buses.

• Experienced team in place: Shop manager and certified mechanics allow semi-absentee ownership.

• Diversified income: Earns from both mandatory inspections and follow-up repairs.

⚠️ Cons:

• Specialty skills: Repairs on boom lifts and hydraulic systems require certified technicians.

• Heavy reliance on a few accounts: Strong retention, but any major client loss could sting.

• Facility lease is fixed until 2028: Limits relocation flexibility unless the property is purchased.

📈 Growth Opportunities:

• Expand geographic coverage: Demand exists in adjacent counties.

• Market retail services: Retail work is currently unadvertised and could boost revenue quickly.

• Acquire or lease larger facility: Additional space could accommodate more volume or larger vehicles.

💰💰💰 Deals $1m+ 💰💰💰

Business Name: 🚤 Boat Rental Company – Marco Island
Revenue: $2,650,000
Asking Price: $3,000,000
Profit: $1,000,000 (Profit Margin = 37.7%)
Location: Marco Island, FL
Established: 2013

✅ Pros:

• High profit margins: 38% SDE is strong for a seasonal tourism business.

• Prime location: Marina space is on one of only three commercial waterfront zones on Marco Island.

• Scalable: Fleet of 30+ newer boats is in high demand year-round from both tourists and locals.

⚠️ Cons:

• Seasonal fluctuations: Revenue will ebb and flow with tourism peaks.

• Optional land purchase: Business is $3M, but owning the marina adds $4.5M more — a big capital ask.

• Limited moat: Other marinas could expand offerings or undercut prices in peak seasons.

📈 Growth Opportunities:

• Add jet skis, dolphin tours, or sunset cruises to increase per-customer spend.

• Launch kayak, golf cart, or e-bike rentals to capture additional beach traffic.

• Expand digital marketing and booking partnerships to drive occupancy outside peak weekends.