Lou’s Business Journey
Lou Geraghty (he/them), is the proud Owner and Operator of Horus Horizon Marine, a wooden boat and yacht fine finishing and carpentry business based in the Port of Port Townsend. Lou's business journey began in June 2021 when he took the courageous step to venture into entrepreneurship, marking what would become the beginning of two years of independent operation.
Lou had always possessed the hands-on skills required for his craft but lacked the confidence and financial knowledge to take his business to the next level. His journey was one of self-discovery and personal growth, as he transitioned from working for others to becoming a successful business owner.
In his early years in the marine trades, Lou faced challenges typical of a male-dominated industry, including a stifling and sometimes oppressive culture.
"I was really hoping to develop a long term employment relationship with one of the large outfits, but quickly found that the environment didn't match up with where I was at in my trades journey. I was just, like, cast into the wind to, figure things out on my own. Which I know at times can be really motivating for a person, but I just felt entirely lost… Usually, a lot of my past supervisors have been, you know, a person of a certain type who doesn't do well with criticism or conversation. And it just felt over the years like this really stifling, oppressive environment where I just couldn't even ask a simple question. And I have, you know, I have had experiences here in this port that have been uncomfortable at times.” Lou recalls.
However, his determination to pursue his line of work and later cultivate a supportive environment in the shipyards eventually led him to the decision to start his own business.
Identity and Personal Journey
Lou's commitment to authenticity is a central theme in his journey. He openly shared his experience of being transgender, and how he finally felt safe enough to ask others to use his pronouns, fostering an inclusive atmosphere and allowing him to be his authentic self in his workspace.
"Because I feel like I can show up as myself, I'm really hoping that other folks who don't really feel safe right now, can start to also show up as themselves." Lou expresses.
Lou's vision extends beyond his business. He aspires to transform his shop into a welcoming space where individuals from all backgrounds can come to learn and work without fear of judgment. Lou believes in the power of community and wants to provide a safe environment for others to explore his craft and express his true self.
His commitment to inclusivity doesn't stop there; Lou also hopes to inspire the next generation of tradespeople, offering opportunities for boat school students to gain hands-on experience in his shop. He recognizes the importance of mentoring and supporting those who wish to pursue careers in the marine trades.
Participating in Start Simple
“So before taking Start Simple, my business was pretty bare. [I had to] go out and either hunt down the job or have it come to me. At the time, I was just too overwhelmed to provide estimates. And generally, I was just working per hour, and I was really disorganized, I was not making enough money to get by. I had a business license, and also insurance because I knew that at least I had to have those things from the beginning, to start to legitimately operate as an independent. But it was yeah, just like pretty bare, working out of the back of my truck, you know, scrambling to keep things together.
Then I took [Start Simple] and I felt like over those couple of weeks, I started to get a better understanding of all the things that I actually needed and was missing in having a good foundation and being able to build off of that foundation.”
Support from CIE and EDC Team Jefferson
Lou's journey to success was not a solitary one. He received support from the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) and the EDC Team Jefferson. Lou's collaboration with Rick, his business advisor, was important in helping him structure his business, develop a pitch deck, and secure funding.
"The LION Loan provided by CIE was a pivotal moment in Lou's journey, allowing him to secure a shop space and take his business to the next level," says Rick, emphasizing the impact of this support.
The LION Loan allowed Lou to secure a shop space and take his business to the next level.
Douglas from the EDC Team Jefferson says, “Maritime businesses that are project-based need an accurate method for bidding and determining hourly rates that include the full cost burden of labor, materials, overhead, and profit. Lou is an avid student of business and received advising from the EDC in project costing that positively impacted Horus Horizon and set the business up for continued success.”
Getting Into His Space
Lou's journey into his current workspace was marked by perseverance and a rollercoaster of emotions. As he recounted, "Getting into my current space took months. Once the pitch went well and folks were interested in my business, then they were like, 'Okay, Lou, well now you have to do more work, we need to see actual things on paper that you're doing and what you project to be doing.' My gosh, and then that took me a while to understand and send them all that."
Initially, the space he now occupies was offered at a significantly higher price. Lou had been searching for a place to move into, and it was Douglas Hammel of the EDC who informed him about its availability. While he was initially hesitant to commit, he had the financial backing and support from potential investors.
Lou recalled his uncertainty, saying, "I was told how much it was. And I said, 'Well, who can afford that? And this place had also been discussed as a potential small business incubator space, but those conversations fell through."
However, the turning point came when a reduced rate was offered a month and a half later. Surprisingly, there were individuals in the port who supported Lou's cause and advocated for the space to be given to a small business like his instead of a larger outfit.
Reflecting on the timeline, Lou admitted, "It happened really quickly, taking only a week, and I had the investors here. They looked around and said, 'Okay, Lou, we believe in you.' They handed me some checks, and I signed the necessary promissory notes. And then I was just like, 'Whoa,' and I was in here."
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
When asked for advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Lou emphasized the importance of overcoming fear, embracing discomfort, and seeking support from others. He encourages newcomers to the trade to show up, ask questions, and be open to learning from those with more experience.
“New things are going to be pretty uncomfortable. Go show up in the yard and start asking questions and let people know that you're there. Maybe showing up for a couple hours at a time to help somebody, people do want you to express interest in what they're doing. It shows them you care."
Rick also highlighted the transformation he witnessed in Lou, emphasizing the importance of self-trust and the power of advocating for oneself.
Overall
Lou Geraghty's journey from uncertainty to settling into a new space for his business is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative impact of support from organizations like CIE and the EDC Team Jefferson. Lou's commitment to creating an inclusive space in the marine trades industry and mentoring the next generation of tradespeople is both inspiring and necessary for promoting diversity and equity in this field. Lou's story reminds us that, with determination and support, anyone can overcome challenges and achieve his entrepreneurial dreams while staying true to themselves.
Next, Lou exclaims, “I'm really looking forward to settling into this space, having it become a boat shop, and breathing some new air into this place!”
Location: Port Townsend, WA, on the Olympic Peninsula