January 13, 2014 - All in the Same Boat (and Business)

James, Carrie and Nathan Davis enrolled together at Marines Mechanics Institute a little more than a year ago.

When James, Carrie and Nathan Davis enrolled together at the Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando (MMI-Marine) a little more than a year ago, the family decided that they would all be “in the same boat.”

James Davis, along with his wife and 20-year-old son, have taken all 17 classes together at MMI-Marine. The trio have even worked in the same group for every class project.

“We have been focused on our long-term goal of success at MMI-Marine and beyond … and we work really well as a team,” said James. “Since we live together and see each other so much, we sometimes get on each other’s nerves – but the positives outweigh any negatives.”

So is the family competitive with each other in school?

Answering this question, James immediately rattles off that Carrie is the top academic performer of the group – with five “student of the course” awards and a 4.0 GPA. However, James and Nathan are close behind, with a 4.0 GPA and 3.8 GPA, respectively.  And James has one “student of the course” merit.

“My stepmom is an absolute book nerd,” said Nathan. “But it definitely has paid off. Seeing her study so much has kept me motivated to keep up the pace.”

Sailing Toward a Business Goal

One of the reasons the family has worked as a cohesive unit is that they have had a central goal in mind. Together, they plan to open a mobile boat repair business called Crimson Creek Boat works in the heart of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

As a former U.S. Marine helicopter technician for 20 years, James hatched the mobile boat business plan about six years ago. He has always enjoyed working on boats, and his technical skills as a mechanic translated well to the work he wanted to do. With the lower overhead associated with a mobile business and the partnership, enthusiasm and support of his family, the group made a commitment to make it happen.

Nathan remembers growing up and spending time on the family boat with his dad. So when the time came after high school graduation to decide what he wanted to do, his father’s vision resonated with him. Carrie also has a mechanical aptitude and was a former Canadian police officer (who now enjoys the warmer weather in the South).

Longtime MMI-Marine instructor Michael Cora, who taught the Davis family in numerous courses, provided encouragement and advice. Cora owned and operated his own mobile service and boat repair company for nearly a decade.

“I have a lot of admiration for the family, and I think they are well prepared with mechanical aptitude as well as the discipline and customer-service-centric attitude needed to succeed in the business,” said Cora.

The Davis family spent lots of time after class “picking Mr. Cora’s brain,” taking detailed notes on his advice.

“Mr. Cora and the other MMI-Marine instructors and staff have been an invaluable support system in this process,” said James. “It’s nice to know that we have had support from each other – and from the school – in what we want to accomplish.”

The family currently resides in Kissimmee, Fla. After graduating on Jan. 24, 2014, they will move to Mobile, Ala. to officially start Crimson Creek Boatworks.

The Davis family plans to continue to make its way through calm and rough waters together. To learn more about their journey and business, contact CrimsonCreekBW@gmail.com.