Before the 2008 recession, I was enjoying a glamorous career as a Corporate Flight Attendant for private and charter jet companies, flying around the world with celebrities and the elite. However, the economic crash severely impacted my nonstop flight schedule as even the wealthy cut back on spending.
Forced to find a new career, I transitioned from earning over $300 per day for nearly six years to making $10 an hour at multiple jobs. Feeling miserable, I decided to look for opportunities on Craigslist, and that's where I found the job that changed everything.
In August 2009, I came across an ad for a Front Desk Attendant at a luxury yacht crewing agency. I had no idea what crewing was, but the job paid $15 an hour and involved clerical work, so I took it.
The world of yachting, which I had never known existed, was fascinating, and I wanted to learn everything about it. My tasks quickly expanded from answering phones to interviewing yacht crew for jobs, and I loved it. After six years of helping others find their dream jobs, I decided it was my turn.
In July 2015, I packed up my desk supplies and embarked on my journey into the world of yachting.
With no experience on boats, all I had to offer was a strong hospitality background and an insane work ethic.
From dirty jobs in shipyards to washing down boats for extra cash, I hustled and took whatever work I could find, both inside and out.
Before long, I was a freelance Deck/Stew, learning everything from fancy table settings to pumping out. I am paid to go to the Bahamas, over and over again, as well as up and down the coast bringing boats back and forth while exploring harbor towns along the way. It is amazing!
The most important thing I learned was that I had a natural talent for outfitting and organizing.
In the world of freelance yachting, it's typical to step aboard a yacht that's a mess, disorganized, and missing everything from a potato peeler to matching wine glasses.
My natural instinct was to clean out the dirty lockers, throw away expired items, and make a list of what was needed. I did this over and over, gaining many amazing repeat clients and Captains.
It brought me so much joy to see the final product of my meticulous work that I decided to start Carrie's Space Organizing for homes and Carrie's Space Outfitting for yachts—CSO!
If you or anyone you know has an empty boat or needs to transfer items from one boat to another, give us a call!