The En Factor Podcast features conversations with entrepreneurs who have started, stumbled and succeeded.
Sandy Yawn is best known as Captain Sandy. Sandy is a renowned superyacht captain with over 30 years of international maritime experience. In addition to being an established and respected captain, she is also the series lead on Bravo’s hit show, Below Deck Mediterranean. Sandy is one of only a handful of female leaders in her industry and is paving the way for women in the boating space. Throughout her life, Sandy has displayed incredible resilience and excellence as she became a female role model and rose to the top of her industry.
Key Words – Leadership, Women in Leadership, Maritime Industry, Resilience, Brand Building
Chapters
00:00 • Staying Calm Under Pressure
02:40 • From Cleaning Boats to Becoming a Superyacht Captain
05:17 • The Captain as CEO: Managing People, Finances, and Safety
07:34 • Clear Communication and the Courage to Stay Calm
10:16 • Breaking Barriers for Women in the Maritime Industry
14:20 • Taking a Chance on Below Deck Mediterranean
16:21 • Building a Brand and Inspiring the Next Generation
23:55 • Leadership Philosophy: Lead by Example and Earn Trust
33:14 • Surviving a Fire in the Red Sea
41:11 • Resilience, Accountability, and Owning Your Mistakes
45:32 • What’s Next for Captain Sandy?
49:00 • Final Advice: Leaders Are Dealers of Hope
Episode takeaways
- When facing high-stress situations, leaders set the tone for everyone around them. Sandy describes how she takes a deep breath, centers herself, and gives clear, direct instructions. Entrepreneurs can apply this approach during crises, difficult decisions, and unexpected business challenges: pause, regain composure, and help the team focus on what needs to happen next.
- Lead others the way you would want to be treated. Sandy explains that her leadership philosophy comes from reflecting on how she was treated throughout her career. Entrepreneurs can build stronger teams by leading with empathy, modeling the behavior they expect, and investing in the people around them.
- Persevere through rejection and push beyond perceived limitations. Sandy’s message to aspiring entrepreneurs is to push through barriers, have the courage to pursue ambitious goals, and recognize that one person’s rejection does not determine what is possible.
- Stay authentic and build a brand around your purpose. Entrepreneurs should understand what they stand for, stay consistent with that identity, and think beyond short-term financial gain when building something meaningful and sustainable.
- Recognize your strengths and surround yourself with complementary expertise. Entrepreneurs can make better use of their time and resources by understanding their limitations, trusting specialists, and remaining open to feedback.
- Empower your team and delegate responsibility. As a captain, Sandy hires department heads and encourages them to hire and manage their own teams. Entrepreneurs can apply this by giving capable employees ownership of their work, establishing clear expectations, and avoiding the temptation to control every decision themselves.
- Own your mistakes and take responsibility for your decisions. Sandy’s experiences reinforce the importance of honesty, accountability, and learning from poor decisions rather than shifting blame.
- Treat setbacks as opportunities to adapt and move forward. Entrepreneurs will inevitably face failures and unexpected changes; resilience means learning from those experiences, finding a new direction when necessary, and continuing to work toward meaningful goals.
The En Factor® Podcast
Conversations with Entrepreneurs
Hosted by Dr. Rebecca White
Our audience of aspiring and established entrepreneurs are inspired to persevere throughout their entrepreneurial journey. You will hear first-hand stories of success, resilience through failure, and how to become a master in your field.
