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North Georgia Business Radio

Derek Baker - Boat Dock Movers Lanier

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Floating Success: How Derek Baker Found His Niche Moving Boat Docks

“Look for something that you can’t learn in school. There’s not a trade school that I know of offering boat dock service. This keeps that market tight and somewhat narrows your field of competition,” — Derek Baker

How do you navigate the often turbulent and murky waters of entrepreneurship? How do you set yourself apart from everyone else out there and deliver a first-class product and service?

During this episode of North Georgia Business Radio host Phil Bonelli and special guest Derek Baker from Boat Dock Movers Lanier talk about how Derek built a smooth-sailing boat dock moving and maintenance business in the Lake Lanier area.

Here are a few of the topics Derek and Phil are discussing:

Identifying a unique niche market
Focusing on excellent customer service
Building the right team
Leveraging your experience and lessons learned
Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset
Diversifying and mitigating risk
Utilizing strategic marketing

Derek’s story reminds us that business success often comes from identifying unique opportunities, providing exceptional service, and building the right team. By focusing on these elements, entrepreneurs can create thriving businesses that make a positive impact on their communities.

This Segment Is Brought To You By Our Amazing Sponsors

Hopewell Farms GA

Roundtable Advisors

RichLife Advisors

Regions Bank

Highlights Of The Show

00:01:31 – Unexpected Entrepreneurial Journey
Derek shares his unexpected journey from aspiring to be an electrician like his father to owning a company that moves boat docks. He discusses how skills from his previous business transferred to the boat dock industry and the niche market he identified.

00:04:31 – Dock Watch Subscription and Maintenance Services
Derek explains the dock watch subscription offered by Boat Dock Movers Linear and the additional maintenance and repair services they provide. He emphasizes the company’s focus on communication and customer service to ensure a worry-free dock ownership experience for clients.

00:09:19 – Market Opportunities and Customer Service
The conversation shifts to the competitive landscape, with Derek highlighting the company’s unique selling points and customer service as key factors in their success. He discusses the impact of word-of-mouth referrals and the potential for growth in their market.

00:12:59 – Entrepreneurial Mindset and Motivation
Derek shares his entrepreneurial mindset and motivation to continue creating and growing businesses. He emphasizes the opportunity to pour into individuals and help others succeed as a driving force for his continued entrepreneurial endeavors.

00:14:21 – The Value of Private Enterprise
Derek discusses how private enterprise can generate wealth, serve employees, and bless customers by doing things the right way.

00:15:42 – Integrity and Honesty in Business
Derek emphasizes the importance of integrity and honesty as principles in any business and how they lead to long-term success.

00:17:10 – Starting Top Notch Garage Door and Top Notch Dock and Door
Derek shares how he started his businesses, the challenges he faced, and the decision to expand into commercial applications.

00:20:35 – The Growth of Top Notch Dock and Door
Derek discusses the rapid growth of Top Notch Dock and Door, the decision to separate it from the residential side, and the importance of mitigating liability.

00:25:12 – Lessons Learned and Marketing Strategies
Derek talks about the lessons learned from his previous businesses, the importance of business formation, and the evolution of marketing channels from Craigslist to Facebook marketplace.

00:28:23 – Marketing strategies and opportunities
Derek talks about the challenges of targeting specific areas through Facebook Marketplace and the success of using bandit signs to build a business.

00:29:30 – Importance of Google My Business
Derek emphasizes the significance of Google My Business for local businesses and its impact on Google Maps visibility.

00:32:03 – Niche market and customer service
Derek highlights the importance of identifying a niche market to avoid being a commodity and the value of providing excellent customer service in a niche market.

00:34:08 – Who Not How
Derek discusses the concept of “Who Not How” and how finding the right person (Ed) allowed him to delegate responsibilities and focus on the overall business growth.

00:38:49 – Lessons learned in business
Derek shares valuable lessons about setting boundaries, making role changes, and the importance of having the right vendors and employees for a successful business.

Silver Lining in the Cloud

Roger Gallivan with FinLogic and Chris Hendley with Lanier Islands

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Dom Rainey, Chris Hendley, Roger Gallivan

Roger Gallivan/FinLogic

FinLogic provides business valuation and outsourced accounting services. They combine the experience of a large firm with the personal attention that only a small firm can provide. Their clients come back year after year because they know they are in good hands. FinLogic works to develop long-term relationships. Whether your needs are simple or complex, they can help and provide outsourced bookkeeping services, strategic finance advice and help you understand the value of your business.

Chris Hendley/Lanier Islands

Situated along the shores of Georgia’s Great Lake, just 45 minutes outside of Atlanta, Lanier Islands features 1,500 scenic acres, beckoning to families and corporate groups alike. Marrying luxurious resort amenities with the unparalleled natural beauty of North Georgia, a Lanier Islands vacation is one to be treasured long after your bags have been unpacked and your photos have been uploaded.

The sprawling grounds feature an assortment of pet-friendly accommodations, from stunning suites and family friendly ranch-style lakehouses to rustic campsites and splendid villas. After a perfect night of sleep, Lanier Islands offers a multitude of experiences for your enjoyment and exhilaration. Play a round of golf on their award-winning course, gallop through the woods by horseback, zipline through the trees on a guided canopy tour, cruise across the lake in a private pontoon, or explore a variety of dining options onsite. In the summertime, splash away at LanierWorld, and in the winter, discover their brand new winter experience.

Whatever your reason for visiting Lanier Islands, Georgia, there will always be more reasons to return. Make yourself at home at their hotel in Buford, GA, and allow yourself to unwind and open up to the endless adventures that await. See you at the lake!