MoMENtum Dads
By Anna Snyder
H
ave you ever thought about turning your passion into a business? What if that little side project in your garage could bring in additional revenue for your family? Nick Davis, a single father to his 14-year-old daughter Chloe, turned his passion for fly fishing and fly tying into a vibrant, thriving fly shop. Headquartered at a brick and mortar retail location near the corner of Bonita Beach Road and U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs, 239 Flies began as an online business centered on regular production of high-quality fly ties and fly tying video tutorials. In 2018, Nick and his partner parlayed their online business following into a physical storefront. The shop has become a community fixture around which local fly fishing enthusiasts have rallied. Neapolitan Family talked to Nick about his business and how he balances life as an entrepreneur, father, fisherman, and firefighter. Nick’s passion for his business and his daughter is obvious – and inspiring. Tell us about yourself and your family. How has your family life changed since the quarantine and onset of COVID-19? I’m just your typical 33-year-old dude with a 14-year-old daughter.
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Chloe and I are extremely close; she’s been my sidekick for 14 years, and we’ve gone through all of life’s highs and lows together. This quarantine has certainly brought new challenges with my work schedule at the fire department. Chloe typically spends time with my parents while I’m at the fire department. It’s a mini chocolate- and carb-filled vacation three out of every nine days. She’s truly living her best life. The days I don’t work at the fire department, I put her to work at the shop. How did 239 Flies start? A long time ago, I would bring my fly tying stuff to work to tie a few flies for fishing trips – I enjoy being productive during quiet moments at the fire station. My good friend and coworker, James Ross, would mercilessly ridicule me for tying flies, claiming the activity was better suited for an 80-year-old than a 20-something. “You’re the oldest soul in human history!” One day, James asked me if I had ever considered selling flies. I replied, “No one would buy them -- fly fisherman tie their own flies.” After lambasting me the only way firemen do, James said, “There’s no way every fly fisherman ties their own flies. Let’s make a website and sell these things online.” I replied, “No one is going to buy my NEAPOLITANfamily • June 2020
