Following the tide of passion

Before Takacat, Paul’s career journey took him from joining the navy at age 16, to sales roles in marine diesel engines, and eventually to leading a charitable sailing trust as CEO, where they taught secondary schoolers life skills through sailing trips.

A chance meeting with the founder of Takacat during that role led to the opportunity, years later, of purchasing the New Zealand and Pacific distribution rights of the Takacat business.

“I’ve always wanted a business of my own,” Paul says. “And when the opportunity came up to purchase Takacat, it ticked all the boxes – something I enjoy, something that fits the lifestyle we wanted.” It was a perfect fit, so Paul and his wife jumped at the opportunity to become Takacat’s proud new owners.

An inflatable business with serious staying power

Takacat is far from your average inflatable boat company. Their catamaran-style design means extra stability, speed, and portability. Majority of their boats pack down into carry bags, making them perfect for families on a road trip, RVers, or even as tenders for boaters who want flexibility without towing a trailer. That convenience, paired with a constant focus on innovation, is what helps Takacat stand out.

“We’re always evolving and looking for ways to improve the product and make it better for the customer” Paul explains.

Rough seas and resilience

Running a business hasn’t been smooth sailing in recent years. Paul says that while COVID initially gave the business a boost – “people couldn’t travel, so they spent locally” – things became more challenging afterwards.

“In 2023, we had a terrible summer weather-wise, and then New Zealand entered a recession. It’s been particularly challenging over the last 18 months to two years.”

Despite the challenges, Takacat kept moving forward, and Prospa’s support helped make that progress possible.

Keeping momentum with a Prospa Business loan

“When we needed to close a cash flow gap to order more inventory, our accountant and financial broker recommended Prospa,” Paul says. “I was a bit dubious at first as it wasn’t a traditional bank, but the process was just so easy and fast.”


“I was a bit dubious at first as it wasn’t a traditional bank, but the process was just so easy and fast.”

The fast approval on the business loan made all the difference, enabling Paul to purchase stock and quickly get products in front of customers. “Speed is often of the essence – and that’s what we got with Prospa. It kept the business moving forward because it’s hard to convince customers to purchase a boat with just drawings and videos.”

Using the Prospa App made managing the loan simple, and the funds allowed Paul to continue developing and launching new products, like a clever paddleboard that doubles as a kayak with a clip-on seat.

Advice for other business owners

Paul’s advice for fellow entrepreneurs? Stay nimble when it comes to your accounts and your product or service. “Go through your business line by line. Make sure your marketing is giving you a return. Don’t be afraid to try new things to keep overheads low when times are tough”.

And when you hit a funding snag, don’t rule out new opportunities to improve your service or product. “It’s what keeps the business evolving and moving forward,” Paul concludes.