Living to the Max - Marine Max - KEYS LIFE MAGAZINE

What does living to the max mean to you? Is it a life of excitement? A life of leisure? Or a perfect balance of the two? Tommy Brashares is fascinated by the variety of answers to this question and how it affects not only other people’s lifestyles but also his own.

Tommy’s lifestyle stems from a hard-working and competitive nature. It all started with sports in high school (which he excelled in) and led to sales in the boating industry. However, unlike sports, it wasn’t the competition of sales that attracted him– it was the stories. It was learning how his customers got to the point in their lives when they could not only afford a boat but enjoy it to the fullest.

“People who buy boats are often in a place where hard work meets passion,” Tommy explains. “Many of my customers have worked years, if not decades, to reach their dream of boat ownership.”

As a premium boat salesman, Tommy is in a unique position to not only ask, “What does living to the max mean to you?” but also to help them achieve that ideal. He gets to learn about his customers’ journeys and help steer them to their dream lifestyle.

“I find the psychology behind boating fascinating, and it’s my job to translate my customer’s needs and wants into the perfect boat for them.”

Tommy had actually studied psychology in college before returning to the Keys and becoming a salesman. He had enjoyed the intellectual side of his studies but ended up on a different career path that he loves.

“I was born and raised in the Keys, and my career keeps me connected to the water and the community. It’s an ideal way to continue building my life here.”

And build he has. Tommy has simultaneously built a beautiful family with his wife, Sarah, and sons, Everett and Holden, and his business that started as Native Marine. Through sheer determination and hard work, Tommy became the only independent Boston Whaler dealer from Tavernier to Key West.

Being accepted into the Boston Whaler family is a huge achievement in and of itself, but Native Marine also quickly became a top, trusted dealer in the Keys— so much so that it caught the attention of Christian Gonzalez, District Manager of Marine Max.

“I have long loved the Keys and have wanted to bring the resources of MarineMax to the community,” Christian says. “The Keys is a special place, and we are excited to be a part of it.”

Christian wanted to integrate MarineMax seamlessly, and Tommy and Native Marine were the perfect solution. He knew that for MarineMax to truly serve the Keys community, it needed to be run the Keys way.

“I’m a Keys native, so I really respect how MarineMax is expanding the Keys boating industry without interfering in how we do things around here,” Tommy says. “Our company sign now says MarineMax, but I continue running things as I always have. I just have even more to offer my customers now.”

MarineMax is the world’s largest lifestyle retailer of recreational boats and yachts, offering an extensive range of services, expertise, and support. And now, this is all available in the Keys at MarineMax Islamorada, formerly Native Marine.

MarineMax Islamorada is also a certified Mercury and Yamaha Full Service Dealership that offers premium brands like Boston Whaler, Scout, Sea Ray, Aquila, and Bertram. They do all service, maintenance, and warranty work on the brands they carry.

MarineMax Islamorada also provides personalized boating lessons and educational seminars to ensure that new boat owners feel confident on the water. They don’t just toss the keys to new owners and say, “Have fun!” They continue to be there for them for guidance, maintenance, and more.

“A new boat comes with a lot of questions, whether you’re a new or experienced boater,” Tommy explains. “We go out on the water with our customers to practice docking and all of the various operations until they can safely and confidently do it on their own. And we continue to be here for them as needed.”

Their captain, Alexis Fiallo, is even starting a YouTube channel that features quick videos teaching boating basics.

Alexis has been boating since he could reach the wheel from his father’s lap. He became a licensed USCG Captain at the age of 20 and has years of experience on several different styles of boats. Even when not working, he’s often on the water, paddleboarding the mangrove trails with his girlfriend, Janelle.

Tommy and Alexis also encourage every capable family member to learn how to operate their boat, and their Parts & Service Manager, Melissa Crowley, is the perfect example of why. After their children joined the military, Melissa and her husband sold everything and purchased a

52-foot yacht on the Florida Gulf Coast. They took a trip of a lifetime down to the Keys and eventually settled in Islamorada. While her husband mainly operated the boat, Melissa knew it was important for her to know how to, as well.

“Though my husband typically drove the boat, I also learned how to in case of an emergency and to simply enjoy being at the helm. Many other women want to do the same, which is why I love how MarineMax Islamorada hosts Women on the Water classes.”

MarineMax Islamorada customers also have access to the international Getaways!® program with curated boating adventures to incredible destinations. With several domestic and international marinas, customers are also instantly integrated into a worldwide network of boaters and boating services. Plus, a calendar full of local events will soon be available!

If all of this seems out of reach, MarineMax’s business manager, JC Ramon, helps customers with financing options. A Keys Native with over 15 years of finance experience and a passion for boating, fishing, and diving, JC is dedicated to helping clients achieve the boating lifestyle.

If you have been dreaming of living life to the max in the Keys, whether on a sporty fishing boat, leisure cruiser, or luxury yacht, contact Tommy Brashares at MarineMax Islamorada at (305) 564-9747. He and his team would love to hear your story and help you start the next chapter out on the water.