I recently caught up with local resident, outdoor enthusiast, and entrepreneur Mr. Tom Hottie ... um (blush blush)....I mean Mr. Tom Losee ... for a SoWal Scene Q & A. Enjoy!
How long have you been in South Walton? Where did you move from?
I moved here six years ago from Hattiesburg, MS.
Why South Walton?
Why not?! My love for the water attracted me to South Walton. I grew up in Long Island and as a result I was always surrounded by a diversity of water from the Atlantic Ocean to bays and harbors.
When I first came here I immediately felt at home. And the weather is amazing. I think the best part of living in the southeast is the southern hospitality and the people. There really is no other place like it.
You own a landscaping company AND a paddle board company – YOLO Boards. You are a busy man! Please tell us about both.
I opened my landscaping business, Sun Landscape, 10 years ago in Hattiesburg. My main motivation for opening Sun Landscape was my natural love of the outdoors. I have always aspired to be the kind of entrepreneur that has fun while making a living at the same time – to turn a hobby into one’s vocation.
After a few years, our company started to secure jobs around the southeast and this is how I discovered South Walton. We always joke that the consensus of the crews was that they loved digging in the sand as opposed to the red clay!
YOLO Board is a hybrid-style stand-up paddle board (SUP) company that I co-founded two years ago with my business partner, Jeff Archer. The roots of SUP have evolved over the years from a traditional surfing water sport to a more soulful and versatile recreational means so that all fitness levels can enjoy time on the water from an entirely new perspective – anywhere – anytime.
Our company is currently experiencing a significant growth mode as a result of the international SUP movement. Many magazines have touted stand-up paddling as the fastest growing water sport in the world. We see great things on the horizon for YOLO and we couldn’t be more excited.
Is your background in landscaping?
No, I actually grew up in an advertising and publishing family. My father was at one time the publisher of Architectural Digest and my grandfather was a pioneer back in the early advertising days of New York City. I received my B.A. in Art History from Duke University and after college started out working in the advertising industry in New York City.
I caught the entrepreneurial bug at an early age and decided to open my first business called Hub City Coffee Company in 1994 and, after spending several years in the coffee business, I founded Sun Landscape in 1998. Today we have over 20 employees and manage commercial and residential maintenance accounts between Pensacola and Panama City.
How did the YOLO board come about? Tell us about the name – what was the inspiration?
One day I came across a magazine article on stand-up paddling and I had one of those classic light bulb moments. The article included a photo of an exotic location that reminded me of Western Lake and I instinctively knew SUP would be something special in our area given the diverse bodies of water that we are so fortunate to have…the Gulf of Mexico, an abundance of rare coastal dune lakes, bays, harbors, natural springs, and the Intracoastal Waterway. I shared the article with Jeff – who at the time owned and operated Yellowtail Trading Company next door in the same warehouse facility that now serves as our current location – and we both recognized the potential of bringing something unique to this area.
“YOLO” stands for the mantra we strive to live by every day, “You Only Live Once.” “YOLOing” has quickly gained popularity along the Emerald Coast and beyond as a fun water sport for all ages and fitness levels. It’s a completely different way to experience the water, whether it’s for a quick workout or an all day adventure.
What is your favorite thing about South Walton?
There are so many reasons why I love South Walton…the natural beauty, shorter commute vs. other areas around the country, access to natural resources, and the southern hospitality. Overall it’s just a better quality of life than most places.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off in South Walton?
YOLOing or anything that involves a full day of outdoor activity with my two children, Lars, age 10, and Ella, age 7.
Any new projects in the works?
We will be launching our first full adventure board this summer called the YOLO Yak. It has all the great attributes of our original YOLO board with the durability and features of a kayak. We’re also in the process of planning our first YOLO Board Stand Up Paddle Series race event that kicks off on Thursday, July 17, 2008. For more information, visit our website at www.yoloboard.com.
Thanks, Tom!
