Amy McCormack & Carubaa Haircare | From yachting to beauty entrepreneurship

Amy McCormack, former yacht Chief Stewardess turned entrepreneur, whose leap from heeling decks to healthy hair has been nothing short of inspiring. Her story is one of adventure, determination, and the pursuit of purpose…sparked by discovering haircare that truly worked through her own experience and sharing it with others.

Amy joined the yachting industry at 24 but promised herself that by the time she turned 34, she would transition into something new. Her passion for haircare led her to create Amy McCormack Carubaa Haircare, embarking on a new venture.

Now 35 and based in Palma, Mallorca, Amy reflects on a journey that’s been anything but ordinary. Born in London, she briefly explored the nine-to-five world before realizing it wasn’t for her. “Yachting was incredibly fast paced, rewarding, and full of unforgettable moments but I never saw it as forever. From day one, I knew I needed a long-term plan beyond life at sea.”

That craving for something bigger than routine led her onto cruise ships as a photographer, where the open ocean became both workplace and playground. “That was my first taste of life at sea and I was hooked.” Soon after, she joined the yachting world, a move that would shape her life for the next ten years.

Her first yacht job was on a 76-metre motor yacht, impressive by any standard, but it was sailing yachts that truly stole her heart. “Working on a sailing yacht really makes you feel close to the water and immersed in the elements, the wind, the sea, the movement.” she says. “And serving at a 20-degree angle? That’s a skill that stays with you,” she adds with a smile.

The life onboard was physically demanding, unpredictable, and by her own admission completely addictive. Amy climbed the ranks, becoming Chief Stewardess on a 60-metre sailing yacht, where she discovered some unexpected perks. “We weren’t just polishing glasses and arranging flowers. I was scuba diving with owners, tagging sharks for conservation projects, and exploring remote corners of the world most people never see. There were days when I thought, ‘this is my job?’ It’s surreal.”

One of the greatest rewards of yacht life, however, came from the people. “You live together, work together, laugh together, and support each other through the daily challenges, you are literally all in it together. It’s intense, but it’s magic. There’s nothing quite like the bond you build on board. Even when you’re exhausted, there’s always someone there to sit on the bow after work and laugh about the experiences you’ve shared.”

Of course, yacht life isn’t always smooth sailing. Amy remembers a tough Atlantic crossing when seasickness really got the better of her. “I felt awful but there was no time to take a break. I had to keep smiling and get the job done, even when every step felt like a challenge. It taught me how to push through the rough patches and keep things professional, no matter what.”

That promise she made to change careers shaped everything. She worked with focus and intention, moved into a rotational Chief Stewardess role, and gave herself space to perfect the formula of something she’d been working on for years, a haircare line designed to give your hair the daily moisture it truly needs, especially when presentation and looking great are part of your daily ritual

What started as a small side project soon grew into a tangible business plan. “Friends kept asking, ‘When are you going to launch this properly?’ That’s when I knew I had to commit. You can’t keep one foot on the boat and one on land. So, I jumped ship and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Years at sea had taught Amy one thing: sun, salt, and wind do terrible things to your hair. “I didn’t want to make just another conditioner. I wanted something lightweight, effective, and built to protect and nourish your hair no matter the environment.

Her debut product, Carubaa’s Leave-In Conditioner, is made locally in Mallorca, packed with hydrating, restorative ingredients and completely free from silicones and parabens. Infused with mandarin and linalool, it smells like a subtle floral-citrus holiday and is packaged thoughtfully in a 100ml glass bottle, perfect for yacht crew who are always on the move. “It’s like a holiday for your hair,” she joked.

Carubaa is already expanding. Shampoos, conditioners, and restorative masks are in development, with a focus on clean ingredients and real results. “This is effortless beauty, rooted in intention, modern luxury you can see and feel. It’s about making people feel good in their everyday lives delivering salon-quality care without ever setting foot in a salon.

Amy is hands-on with every stage of production. “I’m sourcing packaging, designing labels, and even sticking them on bottles myself, some days It’s all part of building something real from the ground up. That ownership feels incredible.”

Leaving yachts wasn’t easy. “The hardest part was losing the structure and security. On board, you know your schedule, your income, even what’s for crew lunch on Thursdays. Suddenly, it’s just you, making all the decisions. It’s terrifying and empowering at the same time.”

And then there’s the unique crew dynamic, something you can’t easily replace. I miss waking up in unexpected places and checking off bucket-list destinations as part of the job. Choosing to live in Mallorca allows me to stay connected to that lifestyle, surrounded by fellow yachties who come and go on their own journeys, all while enjoying life in a Mediterranean dream.

Life on land comes with its challenges. “You become your own motivator, your own safety net, your own biggest supporter. Some days you feel unstoppable, and other days you question everything but, that’s the journey of entrepreneurship. 

You push forward, learn from every step, and ultimately you create your own rhythm and success.

Amy doesn’t hesitate when asked what she’d tell her younger self. “Don’t stress so much about what’s next. Say yes to opportunities, trust the process and stop worrying, you’ll figure it out.”

Her advice for yacht crew? “Enjoy it, save as much as you can, and think about what’s next before you’re ready to leave. This lifestyle is incredible but rarely forever. Having a plan makes leaving so much easier and far less scary.”

Today, Amy is living proof that you can leave yachting behind and still chase adventure, just in a different way. Carubaa Haircare embodies everything she has learned: resilience, adaptability, and the confidence to create something with lasting impact.

“It’s been the most rewarding decision I’ve made. Carubaa was born from passion but has grown into something real, something that makes people feel good. And that, to me, is success.”

Whether she’s serving cocktails at a 20-degree tilt or building a beauty brand from scratch, Amy McCormack shows that when one chapter closes, another can open beautifully with great hair to match.

Amy’s story is one of adventure, courage, and transformation. She shows us that life after yachting can be as thrilling as life at sea, and an opportunity to embrace wellness and self-care on a whole new level.

Follow Amy’s journey and discover Carubaa at carubaa.com and on Instagram @carubaa.haircare.