South Florida Sun-Sentinel – Your Business December 2002:
One boating business capitalizes on creation of ‘drive thru’ niche
Dania firm offers design, convenience
By Cindy Kent - Staff Writer

After serving in Israel’s navy for three years, Itzchak Kadosh was anxious to resume his craft of carpentry and interior design and begin again in a new place. So he came to South Florida and after about eight months working with others established in the business, he started on his own as an interior designer- of boats.

That was about 20 years ago, and now the 43-year-old owner of IK Yacht Designs at Harbour Towne Marina in Dania Beach has built a business around those seeking to change and improve their boats’ interiors, from small boats to mega yachts.
IK Yacht Design’s 25 employees include his sister, Orna Kadosh Grimmett, who joined about 10 years ago as an office and sales manager.

DOCK AND SHOP
Kadosh says he has created a niche "drive thru" business, taking advantage of boat slips directly behind his shop as well as throughout the marina. IK’s drive-thru component is the real attraction: a boater simply docks and shops. In a few hours, a kitchen can be outfitted with new wares. The boat owner can pick tables, couches and chairs that Kadosh’s staff installs on the spot.

Kadosh benefits from having dock and retail space, clustered among other marine-related businesses such as yacht brokers and parts and services companies.
"That clustering causes a ripple effect among marine businesses," said Frank Herhold, executive director for the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. Marine-related businesses group themselves so buyers can get a wide range of offerings in one general location, from boat sales to repair work.

FINE FURNITURE
It works for Kadosh, who might see a couple come to his store because a neighboring yacht broker referred them to him, or simply because they noticed his business. They check out IK’s 10,000 square-foot storefront, full of fine furniture cleverly designed with the special needs of boat storage space in mind. Kadosh has traveled from Paris to Africa to find such items for his store.

"The biggest challenge is finding furniture truly fit for a boat," Kadosh said, noting that furniture and fixtures have to double as storage areas.

Some furniture is designed by Kadosh and built right in a 6,000 square-foot workshop. From chairs and couches with lift cushions for storage underneath, to tables made of teak and cherry woods, pieces fold and expand to maximize space. He plans to create his own line of furniture and increase onsite manufacturing.


ALL - SERVICE SHOP
Kadosh’s team also refurbishes galleys and living and sleeping quarters – from putting carpeting to new decks to new electrical and cooling systems.

Dania Beach Mayor Robert Chunn said that businesses like Kadosh’s help to give Dania Beach the reputation as a destination for boaters. Chunn, a welder by trade, said, "IK’s quality product is an asset to the area," as well as a unique service.

Kadosh says his business has grown in part because of participation at boat shows, such as the Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October.

Repeat business is another reason, says Herhold. Even when boaters are fixing up the boat they currently own, "They always have their eye on the next boat."