You work hard training your scuba students, spending as much time as necessary in the classroom and the pool. You pour your heart into making sure they have fun and will be safe when reaching open water. You've taught them…
Donna AskewJuly 15, 2015
JOINTLY OWNING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS WITH A PARTNER, NO MATTER WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP, WILL ALWAYS INVOLVE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THAT MUST BE OVERCOME OR ENDURED. What happens when the partner (or partners) is your spouse, parent or child? Is it…
Donna AskewApril 13, 2014
In August 1992, 20 divers from my dive center were on the island of Bimini when warnings came that the Bahamian island (and South Florida) was in the projected path of Hurricane Andrew (a Category 5 hurricane). I was in…
Donna AskewMarch 2, 2014
It is once again that time of year, when bells are ringing, colorful lights are twinkling and malls are flooded with masses of shoppers. The decorations showed up weeks ago in your favorite department stores. Now the holiday season truly…
Donna AskewNovember 20, 2013
South Africa. Following the sardine runs. Diving with the raggies (i.e., sand tiger or ragged tooth sharks)…. Do you leave the DEMA Show with visions of exotic dive destinations in your daydreams? Are you imagining yourself and your favorite customers…
Donna AskewNovember 7, 2012
Every dive center has customers who just can't get enough time underwater. Two dives a day is a teaser for them. Give them a trip with up to five dives a day, add great food and have someone else care…
Donna AskewNovember 6, 2012
"What a great weekend we just had; there were nine Open Water students, five Advanced, five Rescue, two Divemasters, several Master Divers and everyone was having fun!" With all the talk of the bad business environment in the media, it…
Donna AskewNovember 6, 2012
Whether you're taking students to a local quarry for the day or you're heading around the world on a two-week adventure to Thailand, I'd venture to say that most of the concerns for you, the trip leader, are about the…
Donna AskewNovember 5, 2012
A recurring theme in most conversations I have with dive centers these days is the importance of making money in creative and possibly overlooked ways. Many dive resorts, hotels and wholesalers offer commissions on individual travel booked by dive centers,…
Donna AskewNovember 5, 2012
