Three Minutes Across the Counter with Tommy Grimes

“Three Minutes Across the Counter” is a feature on Patch in which we chat with local business owners. If you would like to be featured, email heather.doyle@patch.com with the name of your business.

Massapequa’s Tommy Grimes is the owner of Island Industries and is opening his second business, Island Mobile Marine, a mobile marine fiberglass repair service that strives to provide watercraft owners with a quality repair service that is convenient, professional and reliable. He handcrafts paddleboards and surfboards at his first business, Island Industries.

Patch: How did you get your first start in business?

Tommy Grimes: My first business venture started when I was 19. I was always fascinated on how to make surfboard. Therefore, I took it upon myself to start a surfboard manufacturing operation that would encompass all parts of board building from start to finish.

Patch: Is this your first business venture? What are other projects have you worked on?

Tommy Grimes: This will be my second business venture. As I developed my business of manufacturing surfboards and now recently paddle boards as well, I realized there is another opportunity within the same industry, which is to repair boats and all sorts of marine vessels. It requires the same skill set and knowledge of that of a surfboard manufacturer.

Patch: What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

Tommy Grimes: The best business advice I had ever received was from Warren Buffet, who said “Price is what you pay, value is what you get.” This advice entails that a business owner should not always be deceived by the price of a good that an entrepreneur wishes to buy. They should always look at what they will get out of it.

Patch: How long have you lived or done business here?

Tommy Grimes: I have been in business for myself for close to six years in the Long Island area.

Patch: What’s your favorite part about being a business in the area? What makes the area special?

Tommy Grimes: My favorite part about conducting business in my local area is for two reasons. The first reason is that I get to conduct my business with people I know and understand best. The second reason is that my local area can support the market for the business I own which started out of a passion. Long Island is filled with boat enthusiasts and surfers, which makes it a great opportunity to develop my business in.

Patch: Did your parents influence you as a business owner? How?

Tommy Grimes: In the beginning, my parents thought I was crazy when I told them I wanted to start a business. Having no capital or resources, I can see why. However as time went on, they started to realize the passion I had for what I was doing. Eventually their support also came. Now they are in total support to my business.

Patch: Did you ever make a business mistake and later on were glad you made it?

Tommy Grimes: I have made more business mistakes than successes! My business has grown through trial and error. However, every mistake I had made served as a moment of growth. It helped me move along my learning curve to develop into something greater.

Patch: Tell us something about yourself that people may not know.

Tommy Grimes: I am also a high school business teacher. I just graduated with a masters degree in business education one week ago and now am looking for full time employment as a teacher on top of running my business.

Patch: What advice would you give to a business owner just starting out?

Tommy Grimes: Do not be afraid to take risks as a new business owner but if and when you do take those risks, be sure to work as productively and diligently as possible. This also requires lots of planning before even taking those risks. You must clearly see the goal you wish to accomplish even before you activate that goal. Do not let your excitement cloud your judgement.

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