Name: Ken McNeill
Business: The Fat Woody Beach Cruiser Experience
Website: www.fatwoody.com
Business: The Fat Woody Beach Cruiser Experience
Website: www.fatwoody.com
YOUR BUSINESS
Please describe your business: The Fat Woody Beach Cruiser Experience is an incredibly fun & experiential electric bicycle tour of Coronado Island. Inspired by the woody wagons of California beach & surf culture, these colorful artisan beach cruisers are the ultimate Coronado Island experience. Finished with real mahogany, white oak and premium leather, Fat Woody beach cruisers are a piece of art on wheels. To make things more fun, the tour is a musical ‘blast to the past’ as each cruiser plays synchronized beach tunes via an on-board wireless speaker. They even have a cool fiberglass body offering storage for all your stuff - smartphone, beverage, sunscreen, wallet & keys. Take your vacation lifestyle with you!
I believe you are the artisan designer as well as the exuberant tour guide! Yes! After a long career as an electrical engineer, I’m fulfilling a life-long dream to own/operate my own business in my semi-retirement years. I’m having more fun than I ever have! As a veteran of our own NAS North Island (US Navy in the 1980s), I share the story of Coronado’s rich history as I lead the colorful parade of cruisers, stopping to take photos at all the scenic hotspots. I'm a bit of a goofball, cracking jokes and singing to onlookers as we pass. But then you have to be a bit of a goofball to come up with this kind of fun toy!
What would people be surprised to learn about your business? When people see the level of detailed craftsmanship that goes into each Fat Woody cruiser, they seem most surprised that I build them in my garage/shop at home!
Please describe your business: The Fat Woody Beach Cruiser Experience is an incredibly fun & experiential electric bicycle tour of Coronado Island. Inspired by the woody wagons of California beach & surf culture, these colorful artisan beach cruisers are the ultimate Coronado Island experience. Finished with real mahogany, white oak and premium leather, Fat Woody beach cruisers are a piece of art on wheels. To make things more fun, the tour is a musical ‘blast to the past’ as each cruiser plays synchronized beach tunes via an on-board wireless speaker. They even have a cool fiberglass body offering storage for all your stuff - smartphone, beverage, sunscreen, wallet & keys. Take your vacation lifestyle with you!
I believe you are the artisan designer as well as the exuberant tour guide! Yes! After a long career as an electrical engineer, I’m fulfilling a life-long dream to own/operate my own business in my semi-retirement years. I’m having more fun than I ever have! As a veteran of our own NAS North Island (US Navy in the 1980s), I share the story of Coronado’s rich history as I lead the colorful parade of cruisers, stopping to take photos at all the scenic hotspots. I'm a bit of a goofball, cracking jokes and singing to onlookers as we pass. But then you have to be a bit of a goofball to come up with this kind of fun toy!
What would people be surprised to learn about your business? When people see the level of detailed craftsmanship that goes into each Fat Woody cruiser, they seem most surprised that I build them in my garage/shop at home!
What makes your tour extra special? The Fat Woody Beach Cruiser Experience is very exclusive, accommodating a maximum of 6 riders per cruise. Coronado Island is the only place on the planet where visitors and guests can ride these unique bicycles as they are not for sale to the public. Where else can you ride with the artisan creator? It’s truly a memorable experience.
What is the best compliment you have been paid about your tour? Since opening, The Fat Woody Beach Cruiser Experience has had nothing but 5 Star reviews and shot to the top of TripAdvisor’s ‘Most fun things to do in San Diego’. My favorite compliment is ‘It was the MOST fun thing we did on our San Diego vacation!'
Which option would you recommend to a first-time guest? Most people seem to book the afternoon cruises, but I recommend the morning cruise. It’s less windy, less crowded and the color of Coronado is more vibrant.
What is the best compliment you have been paid about your tour? Since opening, The Fat Woody Beach Cruiser Experience has had nothing but 5 Star reviews and shot to the top of TripAdvisor’s ‘Most fun things to do in San Diego’. My favorite compliment is ‘It was the MOST fun thing we did on our San Diego vacation!'
Which option would you recommend to a first-time guest? Most people seem to book the afternoon cruises, but I recommend the morning cruise. It’s less windy, less crowded and the color of Coronado is more vibrant.
YOUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
What do you hope to achieve by joining the Coronado Chamber of Commerce? I spend two hours interacting with guests while they visit Coronado. I have the opportunity to recommend restaurants, bars, food, retail & shops, and hotels. I’d like to network with local business owners to better learn how we can help each other.
Any special message for fellow Chamber Members? I have put together some creative (and profitable) referral/revenue sharing programs with some local businesses. I’m also looking to find a parade business partner (July 4th & Holiday) to sponsor and ride the bikes with me. Kind of like the Shriners do, but on fun beach cruisers. If interested in either, let’s talk!
Would you like to offer a discount to Chamber Members? Absolutely! I do offer discounts to local Coronado residents – which includes business owners. For those businesses I share referrals with, I typically offer complimentary guest passes.
What do you hope to achieve by joining the Coronado Chamber of Commerce? I spend two hours interacting with guests while they visit Coronado. I have the opportunity to recommend restaurants, bars, food, retail & shops, and hotels. I’d like to network with local business owners to better learn how we can help each other.
Any special message for fellow Chamber Members? I have put together some creative (and profitable) referral/revenue sharing programs with some local businesses. I’m also looking to find a parade business partner (July 4th & Holiday) to sponsor and ride the bikes with me. Kind of like the Shriners do, but on fun beach cruisers. If interested in either, let’s talk!
Would you like to offer a discount to Chamber Members? Absolutely! I do offer discounts to local Coronado residents – which includes business owners. For those businesses I share referrals with, I typically offer complimentary guest passes.
YOUR LIFE
Would you like to introduce us to your family? My wife Lisa and I have been married for 26 years. Lisa has maintained a long & successful career in retail and is currently President of a local apparel company in Oceanside. We have a 13 year old daughter, Adelyn, goes to Twin Peaks Middle School.
Do you have any pets? We operate a small zoo at the McNeill household – (4) Dogs – (3) Guinea Pigs – (2) Rabbits – and our teenager Adelyn wants even more!
Where do you take out of town visitors to impress them? Easy! On my tour. ;-)
Thanks for chatting, Ken! We're now going to enjoy the Fat Woody Beach Cruiser Experience Video
Would you like to introduce us to your family? My wife Lisa and I have been married for 26 years. Lisa has maintained a long & successful career in retail and is currently President of a local apparel company in Oceanside. We have a 13 year old daughter, Adelyn, goes to Twin Peaks Middle School.
Do you have any pets? We operate a small zoo at the McNeill household – (4) Dogs – (3) Guinea Pigs – (2) Rabbits – and our teenager Adelyn wants even more!
Where do you take out of town visitors to impress them? Easy! On my tour. ;-)
Thanks for chatting, Ken! We're now going to enjoy the Fat Woody Beach Cruiser Experience Video
