Julia Skop: Staying smart to stay ahead

Offered By Smart Yachts

In the world of superyacht sales and charters, it takes a certain type of person to be successful in securing a deal. As we know only too well now, it’s based on personality and skill set, not the gender of the individual. In decades past, however, this was not the case. According to the men who ran the industry’s brokerage firms back then, salespeople needed to be male. Obviously.

This did not sit well with Julia Skop. An aspiring salesperson, she faced rejection and dismissive attitudes at every turn. Not prepared to take no for an answer, she forced her way into a role and proved her worth, going above and beyond to learn her craft and make a name for herself. Now, 17 years later, she jointly runs her own international brokerage firm and is truly established within the superyacht sector. Not bad for a woman who was told in her early cays that ‘women can’t sell’.

Read all about Skop’s career to date and her journey to business ownership with Smart Yachts in our latest Women in Yachting interview. She’s got some smart advice for any women eyeing up a role in the industry which, given her track record, are words worth paying attention to.

Julia Skop is an inspirational woman in yachting

How long have you been in yachting and what is your current role?

I started my career in the yachting industry in 2006 as a receptionist at the local boat show and I even sold my first boat during that exhibition. It was a 10-metre (33-foot) Doral Intrigue (Canadian brand) boat worth around €275,500 (c. $300,000 USD).

Then I started working as an assistant to the sales manager and, after some years, was given the promotion to sales director. In 2012, together with my business partner, we set up our own company, Smart Yachts. So, I've been in the yachting industry for 17 years now.

What steps did you take to get to where you are now?

You need to be ready for the fact it takes a long time. The yachting industry is a very conservative one; clients and colleagues need to get used to you and your services. Getting to the practical steps, starting your work as a yacht broker, take in as many yacht and boat viewings as you can… it will give you a unique experience that you can share with your clients. This way, you will be really confident when the first serious lead comes. For sure, you need to be prepared for every meeting: homework, a lot of homework!

What does a typical day hold for you?

Most of my time is spent on the laptop and on the phone. It doesn't matter if we’re talking about yacht sales or charter, the first step is always the online monitoring based on the client's budget, size, and other requirements for the yacht. Also, the important part is to prepare the documents: sales agreement, survey, insurance, crew agreements, registration, transportation, etc. Then there are the calls with the lawyers, bank managers, surveyors, and other parties involved—a yacht broker is a person who is in charge of the full purchase management.

My days also involve yacht viewings, boat shows, and travelling.

Julia Skop has established herself as a talented salesperson

What are some of the most challenging and/or rewarding aspects of your job?

The most challenging thing for me is to see claims as an opportunity to improve service, not to be embarrassed or upset by. I use any feedback to provide a better service. The biggest reward is a satisfied client. I would say success is measured with your repeat clients.

What is the proudest achievement of your career so far?

Our company, Smart Yachts, was mentioned in the top 20 brokerage houses worldwide by Boat International in 2021.

Were there any obstacles along the path to your current position? Have you broken down any gender barriers, leading the way for other women?

When I started my career as a yacht broker, few women worked in yacht sales, especially in my country. I still remember one brokerage company owner telling me, “Julia, girls are not able to sell yachts”. Back then, his sales team was only handsome guys, but nowadays he hires both men and women.

To be honest, at that time I met obstacles not only among yachting professionals, but also among owners and potential buyers. The only things that helped me break down those barriers are my passion and deep industry knowledge, especially the technological part. My competence has been tested during most meetings I’ve ever had, again and again. Now, I see that this stereotype is in the past and more and more women are joining the industry, which I am really proud of. Actually, more than half of the Smart Yachts team are women.

Did you have a particular passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects that traditionally appeal more to male students when you were younger?

I have always been good in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), which are mostly male-dominated subjects. My father is a laser-physics scientist, so it was common in our family. I hope that one day my passion for the natural sciences will develop into another ecological and sustainable project

What advice would you give to your 15-year-old self?

I would advise her to learn more foreign languages, maybe two or three as it’ll be a big advantage for your career in the future. And never give up if something goes wrong, you’ll have plenty of chances in your future.

Julia Skop at an industry event in Monaco

What would you say to the next generation of women in yachting to help them in their careers?

To be a professional you need to work harder than your male colleagues. After your official business hours are over, learn more about technical specifications, go deep into the details. You need to be prepared for your meetings and do your homework. I believe that all is possible when you are passionate about something and the yachting industry is no exception.

What does the future look like for you? Is there anything further you wish to achieve?

It’s a very deep and personal question. I definitely have a short-time plan for one year, a mid-time plan for three years, and a long-term one for 10 years. In general, I would like to grow personally and grow my business. At the end of the day, it's a very interconnected thing. The business reflects the mindset of the business owner, so I hope that we’ll create a sustainable and responsible company that supports educational and environmental programmes.


Smart Yachts

Established in 2012, Smart Yachts deals with sales, purchase, charter, management, construction, and investment in yachting. An international team, it is represented in Monaco, Dubai, Istanbul, and Tallinn.

Smart Yachts is an exclusive distributor of the GALEON shipyard in Monaco and Estonia. In 2021, Smart Yachts Estonia was appointed Majesty Gulf Craft dealer, and the business also represents Fiart Mare Monaco, Estonia, and other brands of yachts including Dominator, Bering, Beneatau, and Sunreef Yachts.


Inspired to pursue a new position on board? Search for Crew Agents in the Yachting Pages directory. Alternatively, you can enjoy more interviews in our Women in Yachting series.

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