We recently had the chance to connect with Bo Irik and have shared our conversation below.
Bo, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
When the sea is rough and tours have to be cancelled, both our skippers and our team are just as disappointed as our customers.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Bo Irik, and I’m one of the co-founders of SeaBookings, a platform dedicated to connecting people with unforgettable sea experiences around the world. What started as a passion for the ocean has grown into a platform that helps travelers easily find and book boat tours, water sports, and nautical events, while supporting local tour operators.
What makes SeaBookings special is our focus on both the customer and the providers: we aim to make the booking process smooth and transparent for travelers, while helping tour operators grow their businesses online. Beyond being just a booking platform, we’re building a community of ocean lovers and innovators.
At the heart of it all is our love for the sea and our belief that everyone should have the chance to enjoy it responsibly and sustainably.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My sister is my co-founder. We have very different personalities, and we learn a lot from each other every single day.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
During the Covid-19 pandemic we faced one of our toughest challenges. Practically overnight, all sea experiences stopped, bookings were canceled, and uncertainty about the future of travel hit us hard. It felt like everything we had built was suddenly on hold, and there were definitely moments when we questioned whether we could keep going.
But instead of giving up, we used that time to rethink and adapt. We focused on improving our platform, strengthening relationships with partners, and exploring new ideas, such a covid-safe boat festival at sea. Looking back, Covid was a major setback, but it also pushed us to innovate and come back stronger.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. I’m authentic in everything I do—how I look, move, and communicate—and I stay true to my values. I believe in working with almost no hierarchies, but always with mutual respect.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I’ve come to deeply understand the power of remote teams built on trust. Many people still assume that productivity or collaboration suffers when you’re not in the same office, but I’ve seen the opposite. When you give people freedom, flexibility, and responsibility—and truly trust them—they not only deliver great results, they often go above and beyond. Remote work allows us to bring together talent from different backgrounds and cultures, which enriches our ideas and makes us stronger as a team. What really matters isn’t where people are sitting, but the trust and respect that connect them. I noticed that people work better where they are happier.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://seabookings.com
- Instagram: @seabookings
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5019209/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeaBookings
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seabookings
