Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Taggart.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jeff. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I worked at a corporate career for 16 years and loved every bit of my life. My company closed most of the area of my business and I was left holding a pink slip and a severance package. Little did I know it was the worst best day of my life!
I took every dime I had and invested into rental properties and soon found that I needed assistance from a few skilled workers. This created a small construction company that did outside work as well as improvements to my properties.
In September of 2016 I signed the papers on the Southern Empress and Just Fun rentals to trade my properties for a sizable down payment on the two businesses. We purchased a few 2017 wave runners, repaired a few and set out a plan to bring the flagship of the fleet (The Empress) back to its glory days.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course not!
Our first few cruises were 15 to 30 people and my wife and I did a lot of the work ourselves. She was the chef/accountant and I was the sales, booking, crew leader and general PR person. As of New Year’s, 2017 we have only experienced a handful of cruises that have not been sold out and have afforded a talented chef, crew and office staff. Our POS is state of the art Clover system and our website, almost nonexistent before, is now user friendly, informative and beautiful! Many other upgrades to an old boat are planned and being done currently to make the experience not only nostalgic but also entertaining and relaxing!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Southern Empress Cruises – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Let me take you back to a time when a dollar worked for was a dollar earned! The Southern Empress is synonymous with entrepreneurial vision, integrity and hardworking people with a tenacity and a pioneering spirit striving to always be the best! The people that work every day to make our riverboat cruises spectacular for our customers and for the people that live, breathe, consume and experience our brand.
Our mission is to stop the clock for a few hours allowing our customers to experience timeless and memorable, even romantic experiences. We provide a venue for all ages and statuses both public and private to socialize in a friendly and clean yet historic and nostalgic atmosphere. Nothing is more relaxing then listening to the wooden paddles of yesteryear slapping the crisp waters of Lake Conroe will sipping your favorite libation in the Texas sun.
Themed cruises such as mystery dinner theaters and magic comedy shows seem to be the majority of requests these days.
Pricing:
- A dinner cruise includes a 5 course meal and a three hour tour around Lake Conroe. There is dancing to a live entertainer and a cash bar that is well stocked for $69.95 a person.
- Our lunch cruises are a favorite for seniors and business people as it includes lunch and a two hour cruise for $49.95 per person. A great way to impress a client or an afternoon escape from the grind of today’s busy lifestyle.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7035 Kingston Cove Ln.
Willis, Texas 77318 - Website: https://southernempress.com/ | https://www.funrentalsatlakeconroe.com/
- Phone: (936) 588-3000 Southern Empress | (936) 718-9283 Fun Rentals
- Email: abovethewake.pr@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southern.empress/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesouthernempress/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-southern-empress-cruises-willis
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g56895-d4263317-Reviews-Southern_Empress_Cruises-Willis_Texas.html
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
