Was macht eigentlich das Travel Start-up sailwithus?

An interview with Carl Grubert (Founder and CEO of sailwithus)

Managing Director Carl Grubert

Carl, you're the CEO of sailwithus. What does sailwithus do, and what do you stand for?

Sailwithus is a young sailing tour operator. We offer sailing trips for a mix of absolute beginners and experienced sailors. Travelers can choose between destinations in the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, Thailand, and the Caribbean. We welcome young couples, solo travelers, friends, and families on board, who then form the crew together, depending on the type of trip. On board, everyone helps out, and everyone can pitch in to learn about sailing. We want to offer travelers the opportunity to discover and experience the fascination of sailing for themselves. That’s why we welcome young, adventurous people—whether in groups or individually—on board!

What is your favorite memory from all your sailing trips?

Phew! There are so many great ones to choose from. I don’t think I can pick a favorite, but I can tell you about the most unforgettable one: that was when I got to experience my first Atlantic crossing. I was nervous at first, and questions kept running through my head like, “How exhausting will it be?”, “What experiences will I be able to look back on?”, and “What’s in store for me?”. And then, taking the helm of that heavy yacht, casting off the lines, and setting out on the adventure—I’ll never forget that feeling.

Wow! That sounds exciting! What kind of experiences do you hope the sailwithus crew members will have?

It’s all about the moments on board. Not just a single experience, but the atmosphere and the feelings. Everyone is super relaxed and completely at ease as the sailboat glides along, propelled by the wind. Thoughts of work and home fade away. You simply live in the moment, and it’s not just a pastime but a time to simply enjoy yourself. The saying, “The journey is the destination,” comes true on the yacht, and I wish this sense of relaxation for everyone on board.

If you could give a fellow sailor a piece of advice in person before their trip, what would you say?

Don’t worry! Many of our fellow sailors have never been on a sailing trip before and are therefore very excited. In my experience, you can enjoy your vacation even more if you take this opportunity and be brave. Be brave enough to step onto the sailing yacht and face the unknown, experience something new, and meet wonderful new people. The highlight of your vacation will be when you get behind the wheel all by yourself and get to steer the yacht. That’s why I’d say, “Go for it!”

It really makes you want to hop on a plane right away and set sail on the next sailboat! One last question: Do you hope your children will take up sailing themselves one day?

sailwithus – Sailing Trip

Haha, definitely! That would be great. They already spend a lot of time sailing with me, and I just love this kind of vacation. That’s why we go on a family sailing vacation every year. Of course, I understand if they find other interests, but I’m very confident that my enthusiasm will rub off on them eventually—especially since it already is.

What's the biggest compliment your fellow sailors give you?

The greatest compliment for me is when I see people relax, feel completely at ease, and have a fantastic time on board—that’s what brings me the most joy. They switch off, let go of their worries, put their phones aside, and focus solely on the moment. That creates a real sense of connection, and I see that as the greatest sign of trust!

Which German startup would you like to get a behind-the-scenes look at?

Since we’re a very data- and analytics-driven company, I’m personally most interested in startups that have managed to establish themselves in a highly competitive market. One example that comes to mind is the mattress startup Emma, which managed to outpace its biggest competitor, Bett 1, within just a few years. I’d love to get an inside look at that.

How are you handling working from home during the pandemic?

In our team, we have clearly defined responsibilities, and we update each other on them every day during our daily meeting. We give our employees the freedom to choose where they want to work from. We have a great team spirit even when working from home, and it makes no difference to me where the work is done.

The sailwithus team

In these times of the coronavirus, what is the biggest challenge for you besides the drop in sales?

The biggest challenge is the constant changes to entry and exit regulations by various countries and governments. This naturally makes it harder for us to plan trips and affects customers’ willingness to book a trip, because they don’t know whether it will actually be able to take place.

What are your thoughts on the topic of tourism, including travel and booking habits, in the post-COVID era?