Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Goodwin.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m the 3rd generation running our family boat business. I grew us sailing with grandparents/parents and siblings and developed a love for sailing and life on the water. Went to college with a very different focus and once I graduated, it was clear as grandpa was slowing down that I was needed at the boatyard. Cape Cod Shipbuilding has weathered the storms since 1899 and the owners before me certainly have taught me a lot. There was a year where my grandfather, father and I were all working in the office together. I’ve been at CCSB full time for 25 years. In those years, we’ve improved the methods in which we build and repair our boats and how we market and communicate with our customers. What blows me away is the craftsmanship and the commitment our employees and customers have to our beautiful boats.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Mostly smooth. There were times where a call would come in and the client would ask to speak with a man. After a brief conversation, I’m able to answer the question/concern without the need to transfer the call. Those calls are getting less and less these days. I’m in a mostly male-dominated business. The key to success is knowing your product, your competition, and your business.
A family business is also a way other dynamics. Disagreements and discussion shouldn’t be taken home and usually after some time to think the generations can resolve any difficulty. I find I’m always fighting the argument “but we’ve always done it that way”.
As larger boat businesses are gobbling up the small ones, I see friends and colleagues struggling and we struggle too. For now, our product is unique enough and you can’t go out and purchase it at West Marine. Boats my grandfather built in the 50’s & 60’s are still going strong, so sometimes, our biggest competition are used Cape Cod built boats.
what should we know about Cape Cod Shipbuilding? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I run and maintain an antique boatyard in Wareham, MA where we build new sailboats, repair boats and store/launch and haul boats. I’m the company president, having inherited the job from my father who inherited the job from his father. My grandfather purchased the company in 1939. Prior to Goodwin ownership, it was owned by Myron and Charles Gurney. Always a family business, the Gurneys built wooden pleasure boats, Grandpa built wooden boats, including boats for WWII and then transitioned into fiberglass pleasure sailboats. We are the oldest fiberglass manufacturing sailboat shop still in business today. Grandpa pioneered fiberglass boat construction in 1947. He then acquired beautiful, well know designs like the Herreshoff H-12 1/2, Bull’s Eye, Atlantic, Mercury, Shields, and Marlin to name a few. We are the only current manufacturer of these designs, I guess that’s what sets us apart. We’ve invested in the tooling to keep these iconic sailboat designs going for decades.
I’m most proud of the beauty of the new sailboats produced. Varnished mahogany trim, bronze hardware, the way a wave of spray and water hugs the shape of a hull puts a smile on all sailors faces.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
My mom, college professors, siblings, friends. My mom has a financial background, she raised a family and ran a business apart from the boat building business. (our goal was always to never have all eggs in 1 basket). She went through real tragedy when her sister, my aunt was killed in an extreme domestic violence dispute. Mom took leave from her job, thanks to the family leave act and became the guardian of her two youngest nephews. Carrying on my Aunt’s legacy has driven many in our family to go in directions we had never imagined.
My female college professors were fearless ladies, never afraid to speak their minds and at the same time, nurturing at a time when we were all adjusting to being away from home.
My younger sister inspires me to get out of my comfort zone, to think outside the box and beyond the day to day and look at the future. There is a 6-year difference between us but to speak with us together, you wouldn’t notice. Often, I act less grown-up.
I’ve got friends who work for a living, some are just getting by and some don’t have to work at all. These women inspire me, remind me that regardless of our status, be respectful of one another. Don’t talk down to people. Be approachable. We all have more in common than we think.
Pricing:
- New 23′ Marlin Heritage sailboats $102,900.
- New Herreshoff H-12 1/2 $50,450.
- New DaySailer $17,800.
Contact Info:
- Website: capecodshipbuilding.com
- Phone: 508-295-3550
- Email: info@capecodshipbuilding.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cape-Cod-Shipbuilding-Co-79519493701/
Image Credit:
Bryan McSweeny
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