Female Focus Series: Ewa Stachurska, Group Marketing Manager | Strategic Partnerships

Simpson Marine has developed a brand new ‘Female Focus’ interview series that profiles some of the exceptional women working across the company.

Today we profile Ewa Stachurska, the Group Marketing Manager / Strategic Partnerships. Enjoy getting to know Ewa more and if you have any more questions for her, please feel free to contact us directly.

Q: What keeps you motivated and driven?
A: By nature, I’m a very hard-working, motivated and creative person. I like doing something interesting and exploring new ideas and unconventional ways of doing things. I try to be constantly inspired by the worlds of Art, Design, Fashion, Travel and Science and seeing how to implement some of the ideas I get from there into yacht marketing.

Q: Who has been the biggest influence on you in your work and/or personal life?
A: In my personal life that would be my mother. As much as that is a cliché, I have always admired her strength and resilience through all the difficulties she has had to face in her life while always staying positive, hopeful, gentle and loving. She shaped who I am today by giving me the same strength and softness.

In my professional life I am influenced by all the great female sailors out there who are making their mark against the standard male domination in this industry. Within Simpson Marine my biggest influence is certainly Mike Simpson. Mike is an inspiring leader and an immense source of industry knowledge, while also placing real importance on strong work ethics, client transparency and trustworthiness.

Q: What are some values you live by?
A: To appreciate and be happy with what I have and spend more time with my loved ones, doing the simplest of things. But together.

Q: What do you hope to achieve in your work?
A: I hope that one day I will be able to contribute to real industry growth in Asia and help boost government support of this great industry within in our region by working with local boating and yachting associations. At Simpson Marine we support boating from the core by sponsoring sailing activities and regattas involving younger sailors and supporting local family boating activities. It is really important to us that we ensure people take pleasure in this lifestyle and are joining the aficionado’s groups, expanding their reach in the yachting world even further.

Q: What is your idea of success in the yachting industry?
A: For me that would be the ability to buy a small Lagoon catamaran and embark on a 2-3-year circumnavigation with my family. This idea is always somewhere in the back of my head.

Q: What is one piece of advice would you give to aspiring women who are keen to join this industry?
A: Learn the basics, go boating, and stick around. Resilience will pay off.

Q: How did you get involved in the yachting industry?
A: Over 13 years ago I was recruited straight out of university by a Polish catamaran builder and I have enjoyed the industry ever since, assuming various roles in different countries and continents. Several years ago, I moved to Shanghai, China, for a few years and five years ago I relocated to Hong Kong, joining Simpson Marine in their Headquarters.

Q: What is one change you would like to see in this industry?
A: Within Asia I would like to see an easy and user-friendly boat leasing scheme developed and fully deployed across the region that empowers boaters rather than restricting them. This would mean many more people would be able access this great boating lifestyle, including myself.

Q: What would you say is your biggest achievement in your career with Simpson Marine so far?
A: Five years ago, when I joined the company, Simpson Marine underwent an important brand shift and portfolio change. We have introduced a few new brands into Asia, including Sanlorenzo that is now extremely successful here. It took a lot of strategic planning and implementation to do this but today we can clearly see that this strategy has worked and is bringing great results. We have also added Fairline Yachts and Aquila to our portfolio, both of which are great brands in their respective fields. Additionally, we have extended and developed our assisting Services with excellent Yacht/Superyacht Charter and Yacht Care/Service offerings. It is very rewarding to see these divisions expanding and servicing ever more customers.

Q: What is your first memory of yachting?
A: Sailing on a small sailing boat on a lake in Poland. That was many years ago and it left a strong impression on me. I have always lived by the sea or within lake districts so I do have a sea calling and feel the happiest while at sea, or at the seaside. I need water presence to keep my inner balance.

Q: What is a must-do on a yacht for you?
A: Relaxing and reading a book. As a mother of three young kids I don’t get a lot of simple free time, so these would be my favourite things to do. After that I enjoy swimming and water toys. And to end the day, a glass of Rose at sunset is the way to go.

Q: Describe your perfect day on a yacht.
A: Just a simple gathering of friends and family with good food and drinks, anchoring in a beautiful bay and enjoying the fun at sea. My vision of a perfect day is this simple!