SeaWatch Books Acquired!

[Sonofasonofasailor]

Hi Everyone -

 

I have some exciting news: this week I acquired SeaWatch Books from @BobF! I've been a long-time customer of SeaWatch and was sorry to hear that Bob was retiring. I reached out and after a long discussion decided that I'd step in and acquire the company and inventory. I want to thank Bob and Cathy both for allowing me to carry the mantle and build on what they have started. I promise to continue the tradition of and commitment to quality books that are beautiful, informative, and important to the ship modeling community.

 

The first thing I will be doing is moving the store to a true e-commerce platform. This will make for a much better shopping experience and improve on the fulfillment and ordering issues that I know some have experienced in the past. I am currently in the process of finalizing the new store and will be integrating with the fulfillment center in the days ahead. Hopefully, we'll be up and running in the next week or two. In the meantime, please feel free to register at www.seawatchbooks.com to receive a 20% off coupon for when we launch.

 

A little bit about me:

 

Besides being Sonofasonofasailor here on MSW, my name in the real world is Mike Ellison. I have been building models since my youth starting with plastic kits (my first ship model was USS Enterprise, which I built at the age of 14). But, as is often the case with modeling, life intervened and college, professional, and family obligations took center stage for many years. I returned to modeling about 10 years ago and am a member of the Ship Model Society of New Jersey.

 

I graduated from Syracuse University in upstate New York in 1994 with degrees in Finance and Marketing. It was here where I met my wife Caroline and we got married a few years after graduating. After starting a career on Wall St., I had an opportunity to join my father in launching and building a marketing research firm, which has grown to nearly 100 people in New York City. My father is largely retired from the business and I continue to build and grow that company.

 

My wife and I reside in New Jersey and are soon to be empty-nesters. My oldest son is a sophomore at Skidmore College and my daughter will be going to Connecticut College in the fall. 

 

I am truly looking forward to building SeaWatch Books and continue to serve the ship modeling community. If you have any questions or ideas on how we can improve on our service, please email us at support@seawatchbooks.com.

 

Thanks,

Mike

 

 

[Jim Lad]

Mike,

 

Great news to hear that Seawatch Books will continue and will be operated by a dedicated model maker.  I wish you well.

 

John

[Jorge Diaz O]

Wonderful, fantastic news, I hope to buy a couple of books that I am missing. Thank you for continuing with one of the best naval modeling publishers in the world.

[jdbondy]

Hi Mike, congratulations on finalizing the transaction! I am so relieved that you have stepped forward. Next for me is to go register at seawatchbooks.com!

[Jaager]

I was thinking that also acting as an overseas distributor might help, but about the only other publisher in English is Sea Forth.  A long paging thru NIP shows that they still are a US agent for them - slight as their output is now.  It sort of only leaves ANCRE as a possible partner. 

Anyway, it is a great service that you have taken on - keeping the SeaWatch titles available. 

Now, if only NMM would find someone better than DHL to get their plans across the Atlantic.

[gjdale]

Great news for the modelling community that Sea Watch Books will not only continue, but will update its service model as well. Congratulations and best wishes for every success.

[druxey]

Every best wish as you take over and continue the story!

[Cathead]

Congratulations on a worthy choice! I hope it's a success for everyone involved.

[catopower]

Congratulations, Mike! And thanks for supporting the ship modeling community in this way.

 

Good luck with the business. There are still some titles I want to buy, so I'll be sure to send some business your way soon!

[chris watton]

Looking forward to ordering a few of these magnificent books!

[Keith Black]

 Congratulations. 

[Oliver1973]

I wish you much success for your new business.

[Matt D]

Congratulations on your new business, Mike!  I’m looking forward to being a customer.

[michaelpsutton2]

I would like to apply my coupon to the long unfinished next volume on the Annapolis volumes please

[KBo]

Fantastic news and I wish you every success. The books are truly amazing and have been key to increasing the knowledge about these amazing craft and the quality of modelling. 

[Charlie1805]

Great Info thanks

[Jaubrey]

Thank you Mike to carry on the legacy!