Kelly Gordon started her journey to becoming a superyacht captain in 2007, with little knowledge of boating. Over 11 years of working towards her goal, she balanced her full-time job as an adjunct chemistry professor with her summers spent on yachts, eventually achieving her dream. Today, she works as a superyacht captain for ultra-high net worth clients, based in Palm Beach, Florida.
In 2019, Gordon began documenting her adventures on Instagram, which turned into a lucrative side hustle. She earned $124,000 in revenue last year through sponsorships, public speaking engagements, ads, affiliate marketing, and merchandise sales. While she reinvests much of the revenue into her business and team, Gordon is aiming to eventually pay herself a small income from her side hustle.
Gordon discovered her love for yachting at a challenging time in her life, dealing with depression and anxiety. The mechanics of the yacht and the peacefulness of the water provided a welcome escape for her. Balancing her mental health struggles with her passion for yachting, Gordon found a sense of confidence and purpose in her life.
Initially joining social media to stay connected with her siblings, Gordon’s content on Instagram gained unexpected attention. Her videos about mental health resonated with viewers beyond the yachting community, inspiring others to keep fighting through illness. Realizing the impact of her content, Gordon is now focused on growing her reach and revenue through partnerships and sponsorships.
Gordon’s current focus is on expanding her projects to increase her income and reach. Her goals include earning enough to pay herself a small income by 2025 and doubling her revenue each year until reaching $1 million annually. She plans to continue her work as a yacht captain while growing her social media presence, podcast, and speaking engagements.
Despite her success in the side hustle space, Gordon has no plans to leave yachting. She sees her future in the industry, traveling the world, inspiring others, and continuing her social media presence. Remaining dedicated to running boats and connecting with her followers, Gordon is excited about the opportunities her side hustle has brought her and the potential for future growth.
