24 | Acquisition International, Influential Businesswoman Awards 2024 May24126 Best Boat Sales Business Owner 2024 (New Jersey): Catherine Toogood erving Cape May County, Cape Harbor Marine Service LLC is a fullservice outboard marine center offering on-the-water service and on-land storage. The company is a Premier Mercury Mercruiser Repower Center, Platinum Key West Boat dealer, Yamaha sales and service center, and Loadtrite trailer stockist. In its 34 years in business, Cape Harbor Marine has maintained a reputation in the local community and further afield for its personal approach and knowledgeable service. Kate, who has a background in banking, wears multiple hats in the business. As well as owner, she’s also the sales manager and human resources officer and has 22 years’ experience in the industry. In the early days, it wasn’t easy for Kate. She tells us, “When I started it was very much a boys club. My husband worked hard to get people to accept me as the point of contact, but it was a battle.” Undaunted, Kate took a radical approach. Registering with supplier Mercury Marine, she joined its Marine Technical Fundamentals course (MTF) and achieved her certification. Working alongside Andrew as a mechanic, Kate honed her technical and communication skills. Acting as a translator between customers and technicians, Kate helped to facilitate better troubleshooting procedures leading to faster diagnostics and repairs. She says, “It’s tough for some people to understand that women have a mechanical background or are capable of understanding the complex aspects of the marine industry. However, over the years, the industry has become more accepting of women.” Kate’s road to acceptance in the marine industry has been interesting. She’s learned a lot, not only about the industry but about herself. She explains, “Without a doubt, being accepted has been my biggest challenge. To overcome this it’s important to work hard to learn the material, but also to be truthful about what you don’t know. It’s about being confident in your position and willing to find the information your customers need. Always be willing to learn. Things are always changing and to take better care of your customers you must be well-informed.” Kate and Andrew’s company is the proud winner of 12 Mercury Marine CSI Dealer Awards. Cape Harbor Marine currently employs 8 staff members and the couple is committed to maintaining a strong business foundation and a secure future for them all. Kate is also passionate about helping more women enter her industry. She tells us, “I am always willing to open any discussion with women interested in the industry. I’ve hired women who wanted to see if it was a good fit for them and worked with them to see where their path would lead. My next goal is to start an educational series for women and first-time boaters. I want them to have a place where they can ask questions and have discussions without being embarrassed about what they don’t know.” Outside work, Kate is also a member of the board of the educational restoration society at the Cape May Maritime Museum. Her dedication her area of expertise has led her to winning Best Boat Sales Business Owner 2024 (New Jersey), and we wish her success for the years to follow. Company: Cape Harbor Marine Service LLC Web Address: www.capeharbormarine.com Based in Rio Grande, New Jersey, Cape Harbor Marine Service LLC, is a power boat specialist with a human touch. The company offers a large selection of Key West Boats for sale as well as specialising in Mercury and Yamaha Outboards. At the helm of the company, alongside husband Andrew, is Catherine (Kate) Toogood. We chat with Kate about the company and the challenges of being a woman in an often male-dominated industry. S
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