Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Matos.
Hi Alex, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in the Florida Keys fishing, boating, and scuba diving from a young age. Any free moment I had was spent on the water. I attended a middle school focused on marine science, so the water was a big part of my education.
As a young adult, I joined the United States Navy, where I served as a Boatswain’s Mate. I later qualified as a Master Helmsman, steering and maneuvering the ship during complex operations. I also qualified as a coxswain, operating and maintaining my ship’s search-and-rescue boats.
After leaving the Navy, I met my wife Kelly. We lived in the mountains where I worked in construction and learned how to fly fish. As our family grew, we made plans to move closer to the ocean. We discovered the Lowcountry and knew it was where we wanted to raise our family. We sold our house and moved to Bluffton with our three children to start a boat detailing business.
Starting May River Boat Detailing allowed me to combine my lifelong love for the water with the skills I had gained in the Navy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After opening May River Boat Detailing in 2021, getting my first detailing job was much harder than I expected. I hung flyers, handed out business cards, and introduced myself at marinas and local stores. Creating social media and website content was also difficult because I didn’t have boat photos or completed work to show.
Someone in the industry told me that the first boat would be the hardest one to get. He was right! I started thinking about turning to plan B, but I stayed persistent. Eventually, my first detailing job came through — and it was a fleet of 20 boats.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
May River Boat Detailing is a professional mobile boat and yacht detailing company serving the Lowcountry. We are fully insured and certified by both Starke Yacht Care and Xanigo Marine. We offer services ranging from routine maintenance wash options and detailing to polishing, gelcoat restoration, and ceramic coatings.
We specialize in high-quality, detail-oriented boat care. We work on everything from smaller boats to large yachts. Many of our clients trust us with their boats on an ongoing basis. Building those long-term relationships is something we truly value.
As we’ve grown, one of the things that has mattered most to us is maintaining the same standard of work that the company was built on. We’ve been very intentional about who we bring onto our team. Our employees are vetted so our clients can feel confident in the people caring for their boats.
I’m most proud of the reputation we’ve built and the team we’ve been able to create. As May River Boat Detailing continues to grow, we’re committed to protecting our core values: integrity, professionalism, and reliability.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the Lowcountry lifestyle—the fishing, boating, wildlife, and time spent outdoors. Bluffton has a strong sense of community and friendly people.
What I like least is probably the bugs. When you work outdoors around the water every day, the mosquitoes and no-see-ums definitely make themselves known.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mayriverboatdetailing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayriverboatdetailing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19B7JxuGMv/
