Meet The Team: Waterways Employee Interview
Welcome to our employee interview blog, where we take you behind the scenes and introduce you to the talented individuals that make Waterways thrive. In this blog, we aim to share the unique stories, experiences, and perspectives of our Store Managers, offering a glimpse into the diverse and dynamic team we have formulated here at waterways.
Jonathan Wicks
Job Title: Store Manager
Store Location: Asheville, North Carolina
#BACKGROUND: Tell us about yourself, why do you love the outdoors & what inspired you to pursue a career in the outdoor industry.
I grew up in North East Florida where I discovered my love for the outdoors. My favorite past time as a kid was Bass fishing local ponds and lakes and sometimes Fishing and crabbing in the intercoastal waterway. Fishing goes way back in my family, pretty sure if I didn't fish I would have been the black sheep of the family.
I moved to North Carolina in 2010, which flipped this Florida boy on his head when it came to weather and fishing techniques. Couldn't be prouder to call NC my new home.
#FUNFACT: What is a fun fact that your colleagues or customers might not know about you.
One fun fact about me that most wouldn't know would be that I love to cook and grill. Growing up with an Italian Grandmother, she instilled the love of cooking and making people happy with a big plate of delicious food in me.
#CAREERADVICE: What sort of advice would you give to someone that is looking to pursue a career in the outdoor space.
If you are passionate about starting a career in the outdoor industry, my advice is to just do it and don't stop trying!! I was literally working the boring 9-5 retail job for a big box store that brought me zero happiness. As soon as I realized I had the opportunity to manage a kayak shop who specialized in fishing kayaks I took that opportunity and never looked back. Working for Waterways is a dream come true.
#WELLNESS: Staying healthy and happy is crucial. What’s your favorite self-care routine or wellness tip that helps you stay energized and motivated at work?
Surround yourself with family and friends who have like interest.
#TRAVEL: If you could go anywhere, where would you and with who?
I would love to head to the North West and check out the Redwood forest with my wife and kids. When it comes to fishing it's a tie between South Florida and Texas with my fishing buddies.
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Sam Hager
Job Title: Store Manager
Store Location: Englewood, Florida
#BACKGROUND: Tell us about yourself, why do you love the outdoors & what inspired you to pursue a career in the outdoor industry.
I’ve grown up in the outdoors industry, many of our family vacations coincided with kayak demo events and deliveries. Some of my earliest memories include riding my dad’s longboard around kayak warehouses and paddling tandem with him and my mother and sister around the outer banks.
#FUNFACT: What is a fun fact that your colleagues or customers might not know about you.
I love playing and writing music! I have several guitars, electric and acoustic, and sometimes I’ll bring one to the shop with me to practice when the store gets slow. My main inspirations come from Neil Young, Bob Dylan, John Coltrane and the Grateful Dead.
#CAREERADVICE: What sort of advice would you give to someone that is looking to pursue a career in the outdoor space.
Get your customer service chops up to snuff and get familiar with all aspects of the industry you’re pursuing. For kayaking, you’ll need to be able to answer questions concerning everything from transportation to the intricate upgrade processes required to install such items as a motor unit. Also, this industry is composed of some of the kindest and hardest working individuals out there, so don’t be afraid to ask for help or even to intern somewhere.
#WELLNESS: Staying healthy and happy is crucial. What’s your favorite self-care routine or wellness tip that helps you stay energized and motivated at work?
If I ever need to recenter myself, I’ll take Mabel, my three-year-old Blue-tick/Beagle mix, out to the side lot of the shop and toss one of the many toys we have at the shop for her. If that doesn’t work, I’ll take five and walk Dearborn Street, the little downtown our Englewood location is located in. I’ll go down to the end of the block for coffee, and circle back and grab a chew toy for Mabel from a conveniently located pet supply store on the way back.
#TRAVEL: If you could go anywhere, where would you and with who?
One of my favorite hobby sports growing up was snowboarding, but since I live in Florida I don’t get to do too much of that anymore. If I could, I’d take my family out West to hit a couple of the better slopes. Might be nice to get a little ways from sea level every now and then!
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Paul Lacraze
Job Title: Store Manager
Store Location: Austin, Texas
#BACKGROUND: Tell us about yourself, why do you love the outdoors & what inspired you to pursue a career in the outdoor industry.
I grew up in Austin, Texas with a father that spent most of his free time on the water or a trail. When I graduated high school, he sold the house and everything in it and went off to be a fly fishing guide. I went to the motorcycle mechanics institute for my other passion at the time which was two wheels and going fast. While in school I linked up with an outdoor recreation outfitter and stayed with them for 13 years traveling around the country and opening new locations for them. After that I decided to get into guiding myself, however, I focused on hunts rather than fishing trips, fishing was too important to me to turn it into a job. I was then offered a job by YETI coolers and worked with them for a few years until the pandemic hit. I then went into the woods for a few years in Oregon and Alaska living off the grid. A bad accident brought me back to Austin where I found Waterways.
#FUNFACT: What is a fun fact that your colleagues or customers might not know about you.
I am an artist and silver smith on the side and make some pretty bad ass jewelry and art. You can check out my work here. Oh yeah, I am also a twin.
#CAREERADVICE: What sort of advice would you give to someone that is looking to pursue a career in the outdoor space.
Don't be scared to take risks and try new things, you never know where your path will lead.
#WELLNESS: Staying healthy and happy is crucial. What’s your favorite self-care routine or wellness tip that helps you stay energized and motivated at work?
Get a dog!! They will keep you active.
#TRAVEL: If you could go anywhere, where would you and with who?
New Zealand, looks pretty magical
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Written by Waterways Admin team