Video
Jim Griffiths
Nautical Mile Enterprises
Founder / Publisher
At the age of 4, Jim moved to Lee County from
Long Island and has seen a lot of changes. With
a few years in Key Largo, California and a quick
stop in Alaska, his life has always been spent on
the water, usually with a fishing rod in his hands.
As a kid working at the boat rentals at Pennekamp
Park in Key Largo, a custom rod builder and part
time on charter boats out of the Ocean Reef Club
in the 80’s, cable TV came to town and MTV
was the big thing. Visions of being a rock star
appeared so Jim packed up and headed to
California. He did well playing guitar, but he knew it wasn't his calling. Jim then traveled Alaska for a few
months to "Find Himself", but a phone call from Florida found him instead. His sister, Donna Griffiths,
was dying of cancer and his place was home with her. Her death hit him hard and taught him to appreciate
life while it was good.
"Her death was my toughest experience, but I have great friends, I'm healthy and I live in a great country with
unlimited opportunity, so I'm making my time here count".
A job detailing cars lead to the Waxman, a mobile boat detailing business that Jim started in 1998, where
the idea for The Nautical Mile came from. "My customers were always asking me who could fix something
or where they could buy something. Why is there no directory for boaters in a city that has over 400 miles
of canals"? With a wax clientele of over 100 boaters, Jim saw a local boating publication/directory in more
demand than waxing boats, so off he went. With no publishing experience or advertising knowledge, he knew
the community wanted it and would support it. He didn't know how to play guitar either, till he just jumped
in and learned as he went. "You do not have to know how to do something to be good at it. You just have
to be honest, a student, and you have to want it in your heart".
The Nautical Mile now has dozens of distribution locations that
move over 100 papers a week. Though Jim didn't sleep, fish or
socialize for about a year, he credits the success of the company
to friends, writers and businesses that supported the paper.
He fishes aboard the "Grooper Snooper" with Capt. Mike
Coppola and resides with his Lab "Bo" in Bokeelia.
Jim Griffiths
Nautical Mile Enterprises
www.nauticalmileenterprises.com
Special Thanks to:
Chuck Caukins, Ft. Myers Marine
Mike Coppola, Lifetime Fishing Pal
In Memory of Dean-O Hicks, Reels Inc.
Mom, Mike & Bo
Nautical Mile Enterprises
Founder / Publisher
At the age of 4, Jim moved to Lee County from
Long Island and has seen a lot of changes. With
a few years in Key Largo, California and a quick
stop in Alaska, his life has always been spent on
the water, usually with a fishing rod in his hands.
As a kid working at the boat rentals at Pennekamp
Park in Key Largo, a custom rod builder and part
time on charter boats out of the Ocean Reef Club
in the 80’s, cable TV came to town and MTV
was the big thing. Visions of being a rock star
appeared so Jim packed up and headed to
California. He did well playing guitar, but he knew it wasn't his calling. Jim then traveled Alaska for a few
months to "Find Himself", but a phone call from Florida found him instead. His sister, Donna Griffiths,
was dying of cancer and his place was home with her. Her death hit him hard and taught him to appreciate
life while it was good.
"Her death was my toughest experience, but I have great friends, I'm healthy and I live in a great country with
unlimited opportunity, so I'm making my time here count".
A job detailing cars lead to the Waxman, a mobile boat detailing business that Jim started in 1998, where
the idea for The Nautical Mile came from. "My customers were always asking me who could fix something
or where they could buy something. Why is there no directory for boaters in a city that has over 400 miles
of canals"? With a wax clientele of over 100 boaters, Jim saw a local boating publication/directory in more
demand than waxing boats, so off he went. With no publishing experience or advertising knowledge, he knew
the community wanted it and would support it. He didn't know how to play guitar either, till he just jumped
in and learned as he went. "You do not have to know how to do something to be good at it. You just have
to be honest, a student, and you have to want it in your heart".
The Nautical Mile now has dozens of distribution locations that
move over 100 papers a week. Though Jim didn't sleep, fish or
socialize for about a year, he credits the success of the company
to friends, writers and businesses that supported the paper.
He fishes aboard the "Grooper Snooper" with Capt. Mike
Coppola and resides with his Lab "Bo" in Bokeelia.
Jim Griffiths
Nautical Mile Enterprises
www.nauticalmileenterprises.com
Special Thanks to:
Chuck Caukins, Ft. Myers Marine
Mike Coppola, Lifetime Fishing Pal
In Memory of Dean-
Mom, Mike & Bo
