Have you ever wondered how a business goes from a spark of inspiration to reality?

On this week's episode of On The Bridge, we sit down with Edward Thomas, the Founder and Creative Director of Paragon Studio and Gym Marine Yachts & Interiors.

Ed shares his incredible journey, from a deckhand to his successfully transitioning to life ashore to become a business owner. Living proof that the valuable and transferable skills from the superyacht industry can give you the right mindset for business.

We dive into the evolution of his idea, the design philosophy behind Paragon Studio's cutting-edge projects, the complexities of fitting luxury gym and wellness spaces onboard.

Chapters

00:00 – How did your yachting journey begin?

02:00 – What made you stay in yachting after that first difficult job?

03:10 – When did you realise the yacht-life wasn’t for you long-term?

05:00 – How did the idea for Gym Marine first take shape?

07:40 – What did your transition from crew to business owner look like?

11:00 – What challenges did you face when launching Gym Marine?

16:00 – What must be considered when designing a gym for a yacht?

19:20 – Why did you create Paragon Studio and what gap did you see?

22:50 – How did Paragon evolve into its own luxury brand?

31:40 – What collaborations or projects have been the most exciting?

36:40 – What challenges have you faced in leadership and scaling two businesses?

42:10 – How do you decide which events, shows and opportunities are worth it?

45:15 – Why is staying true to your niche and brand so important?

46:45 – What’s the best advice you’ve received as a founder?

50:55 – What’s next for Gym Marine and Paragon Studio?

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