INCLINE BOAT STORAGE WITH MARK MARELICH

WWW.INCLINEBOATSTORAGE.COM

David and Susan Marelich launched Incline Boat Storage in 1989 and their son Mark took over its operations in 2015. However, his parents are still very much involved in the business- Susan still comes in and helps with the financials and his dad pops in occasionally, to give Mark advice and/or to help him work through any issues.

“[The last few years] have gone very well. We had some hiccups because of the pandemic but it didn’t hurt us too much because people still found a way to boat,” Mark says about what’s been going on with the business in the last couple of years.

However, the labor shortage was tough for Incline Boat Storage, as they were down two people this past summer which is a lot for a seasonal job. Luckily, Incline Boat Storage’s mechanics have been with the business for 5-6 years, the yard crew have been there an average of 8-9 years, and the boat launchers have been with Incline Boat Storage for at least three years.

“We’re fortunate for the employees we do have, who’ve stayed with us for a long time. Having good employeesthat’s what makes the business work,” Mark says. He credits his stellar employee retention rate to giving them autonomy in their jobs, empowering them to make their own decisions.

Incline Boat Storage keeps around 200 customers, although the passing of the newest Ordinance 7 restriction last summer also impacted this family business. “We had a small percentage of boat storage owners who did not live in Incline and were able to use the boat ramp as our guests. But the Ordinance 7 restriction said that nonresidents couldn’t launch from Incline anymore, so a few of them sold their boats and left the area. The whole point of the Ordinance 7 revision was to reduce impact to the beaches, but our customers never used the beaches, they were out on the water.”

That was the biggest challenge that came with the pandemic, along with low water levels.

When asked if he feels if he is dealing with more challenges this day and age than when his parents started the business, Mark replies, “I think just different ones. It’s always been an issue finding employees being a seasonal business, and [local] bureaucracy always poses a threat in the background. But it is nice to deal with these issues with my parents around.

“And the community has always supported us; the Incline residents are our bread and butter. Despite the challenges, we can still operate our business efficiently and successfully. With my family growing- I have three kids now- I’m thankful that my parents established this business that allows me to live and work in this great place.”