There’s a moment many chief stews have at some point in their career, usually mid-season, slightly sleep-deprived, juggling a provisioning disaster while guests ask for something wildly specific, where you think: what comes after this?
And yet, when you step into the world of running a business, you quickly realise something surprising, you’ve been training for it all along!
In fact, being a chief stew is probably one of the most underrated foundations for entrepreneurship. The skills aren’t just transferable, they’re already second nature.
Having built my own business, Chief Stew Shop, I’ve found myself constantly drawing on habits and instincts that were formed on board. Especially one key trait: the ability to adapt, pivot, and keep going, no matter what the day throws at you.
Here are some of the biggest lessons yachting quietly taught me about running a business.
- Tenacity is your greatest asset
On a yacht, giving up isn’t an option.
Guests don’t see the backstory, they see the end result. Whether it’s a last-minute theme night, impossible provisioning requests, or a team member down, you have to make it work.
Business is exactly the same.
Things go wrong constantly, orders get delayed, customers fall through, marketing doesn’t land the way you expected. The difference between something that succeeds and something that quietly disappears often comes down to one thing: sticking with it when it would be easier not to.
Chief stews don’t quit mid-charter and that mindset is invaluable when you’re building something of your own.
- Flexibility is survival
If there’s one thing yachting teaches you, it’s that plans are merely suggestions.
Itineraries change, weather shifts, guest preferences evolve by the hour. You learn to pivot quickly, calmly, and without making it anyone else’s problem.
Running a business requires that same level of flexibility.
You might start with a clear vision, but the reality will shift. Products evolve, customers respond differently than expected, and opportunities appear where you didn’t plan for them.
The ability to adapt without losing momentum is a huge advantage. And for chief stews, it’s already built in.
- You already understand high end customer service
Luxury service isn’t just about delivering what’s expected, it’s about anticipating what’s needed before it’s even asked for. That mindset is gold in business.
Whether you’re selling products or services, the brands that stand out are the ones that create an experience. Thoughtful details, consistency, and a sense that someone really gets the customer.
Sound familiar? From turn-down details to perfectly timed service, chief stews operate at a level many businesses are still trying to figure out.
- You know how to manage people
Managing a team on a yacht is not for the faint-hearted. Different personalities, long hours, high pressure and no real escape. You quickly learn how to motivate, delegate, and keep standards high, even when energy is low.
In business, whether you’re working with suppliers, freelancers, or eventually building a team, those same skills apply.
Clear communication, setting expectations, and knowing when to step in (and when to step back) are all part of the job. If you’ve handled a difficult charter guest or a tense crew dynamic (or three!) you’re already well equipped.
- Attention to detail is what sets you apart.
The difference between good and exceptional service often comes down to the smallest details. A perfectly folded napkin. A well-timed drink. A cabin that feels just right.
In business, it’s no different. It might be packaging, communication, branding, or the way you follow up with customers, but those small touches build trust and loyalty over time.
Chief stews are trained to notice what others miss. That’s a powerful advantage.
- You’re used to wearing all the hats!
On paper, the chief stew role is clear. In reality you’re an event planner, stock manager, HR, guest liaison, interior designer, problem-solver (often all within the same hour).
Running a business feels very similar, especially in the early stages.
You’re doing a bit of everything, sometimes well, sometimes learning as you go to put it gently, but always moving forward.
The difference is, for a chief stew, that level of responsibility isn’t new, it’s just been given a different setting.
- Resilience is in your DNA
Yachting isn’t easy. It demands energy, patience, and a level of resilience that not everyone has.
But if you’ve made it to chief stew, you’ve already proven you can handle pressure, adapt quickly, and keep standards high even when things feel stretched.
That resilience carries directly into business, because behind every “overnight success” is a long period of figuring things out, adjusting, and continuing anyway.
A final thought
It’s easy to underestimate what your role has taught you.
But when you step back and look at it objectively, chief stews are already operating like entrepreneurs, managing budgets, delivering high-level service, leading teams, and solving problems in real time.
Running a business doesn’t require an entirely new skillset.
More often than not, it’s about recognising and trusting the one you already have.
Clair Minto
info@chiefstewshop.com
(+44) 781 667 8634
www.chiefstewshop.com
IG: @chief_stew_shop
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