Smooth Sailing

We meet YuliaFroiman, SEAZONE's Ukraineborn charismatic founder and CEO.

What is your business background? 

I started in High-Tech, which is a major Hub of entrepreneurship and innovation in my home country of Israel. I came across the yachting world about 8 years ago and never looked back. I worked for a major yacht management company, running the financial and recruitment department, until we decided that the way yachts are managed needs some updating and started to look for solutions within the High-Tech world. We soon realised that we have developed a solution that can help many others, and started SEAZONE. 

Have you always had a passion for yachts and boats?

Not really. I was born near the sea in Odessa, Ukraine but grew up in Siberia. Once I discovered the yachting world, I fell in love. My partner is a captain and we take family vacations together with our 4 kids on yachts whenever we can. 

What makes your business so unique? 

The simplicity and quick implementation of our management online solutions is something we always hear good feedback from captains and managers. But the fact that SEASONE is a true All-in-One solution is what I believe is unique. From finding crew or a yacht job, monitor yacht expenses, managing boat admin and charters. We provide solutions for any crewed yacht. From 40' to 140', and we make it affordable for everyone. 

Our main vision is to not only create solutions for the technical aspects of yachting but to strengthen connections and build a community. To have one place where you can find all of your needs as a yacht captain, crew, manager, owner or yacht business/ freelancer 

As a global organisation, where is your largest customer base? Are your clients far and wide?

As we are quite new in the market and launched in April 2021, our main base of customers and crew is in the Mediterranean, but we have more and more crew and yachts who joined us for this Caribbean season, which is wonderful. SEAZONE as a technology platform based on Geo-Location is in a unique situation where we can accommodate everyone, everywhere, at any time. And the more crew and yachts joining, the better for everyone. 

How big is your team? 

We keep a tight and relatively small team. All except our development team come from the yachting industry. We have ex captains, crew, managers, yacht architects and recruiters.  

Do any customer ideas simply not work?

We listen very carefully to our customers, and most of the CharterZone module for example, to manage all inclusive charters in the Caribbean, came from feedback and suggestions of our captains. We can't answer everything, as there are development constraints, but our development team is usually very good at finding solutions, so we keep improving as we go.

As CEO what is your greatest challenge for  2022 - and beyond? 

We have many challenges as the yachting industry is growing and shifting towards technology. The demand comes from younger owners, but as a traditional industry, we need to educate and explain to overworked captains the need of finding smarter, more effective ways to manage their yacht. That technology is not the enemy but the solution, and can save them a lot of time, build more trust with owners, and run a professional program as you would run a business on land. 

What aspects of your role are most enjoyable? 

Strangely enough I love the development part. Solving puzzles and trying to find elegant solutions for complex problems.  

Are you, like many of your customers, able to winter in the Caribbean and summer in Europe? If so, what is your favourite part of the Caribbean - and why? 

Unfortunately I'm based in the MED year round, but would love to come and spend a winter in the Caribbean. I don't care where, as long as I have a beach and turquoise water  

Any amazing top secret projects schedules that you can tell us about?

Yes, we have just launched our SuppliersZone module which I'm very excited about. This is a great way to find quality suppliers and service providers near you, based on Geo-Location. You can find businesses by rating, categories or keyword search, and it will give you the most accurate and relevant solutions in real time. When you need it. 

Later on you will be able to send a request and get quotes, and for suppliers to improve response time, communication and therefore overall service and exposure to transit yachts.