Rock Creek Watercraft
Quadrupling Revenue Through Digital: How Rock Creek Watercraft Modernized Their Rental Operations
AT A GLANCE
- Business: Rock Creek Watercraft Rentals
- Location: Arley, Alabama – Smith Lake Operation
- Size: 10 rental units (primarily jet skis with some boats)
- Season: (March to October)
- Primary Challenge: Moving from basic scheduling software to comprehensive rental management
THE CHALLENGE: Breaking Free from Basic Booking Tools
Rock Creek Watercraft Rentals, a growing presence on Smith Lake in Alabama, was managing their expanding rental operation through Squarespace’s basic scheduling system. As one of the largest jet ski operators in their area, their unique mobile business model required a more sophisticated solution to manage their trailered fleet and multiple launch points.
“At the time, it was the only solution available to us,” explains Terry, owner of Rock Creek Watercraft. “While other operators in our area were still using paper ledgers and phone calls, we knew we needed something more robust to support our growth.”
the SOLUTION: Finding the Right Digital Partner
After a thorough demonstration of Stellar’s capabilities, Rock Creek recognized the potential for operational transformation. “The prospect of streamlining our entire operation, from booking to documentation, was compelling,” Terry shares. “The platform looked like it would make things significantly easier for our operation.”
What Rock Creek needed was clear:
- Digital documentation system
- Comprehensive booking management
- Damage tracking capabilities
- Mobile-friendly interface for seasonal staff
IMPLEMENTATION: A SEAMLESS TRANSITION
The implementation process was remarkably efficient. “It took about a week to get comfortable with the basics, and a couple of weeks to really learn the system,” Terry recalls. “The platform is intuitive enough that our seasonal staff, mostly high school and college students, adapted to it immediately. They particularly appreciated being able to manage everything from their phones.”
the results: transforming operations through digital excellence
Revenue Growth
- 400% revenue increase compared to previous year
- Recovered approximately $20,000 in damage costs through improved documentation
- Significant reduction in form-related expenses
Operational Improvements
- Eliminated paper rental agreements
- Streamlined damage documentation process
- Enhanced record-keeping for insurance purposes
- Simplified daily operations management
- Better organization of equipment and scheduling
Staff Experience
Rock Creek’s seasonal workforce, primarily composed of high school and college students, embraced the digital transformation enthusiastically. “Our seasonal employees loved it,” Terry emphasizes. “Being able to manage everything from their phones made the entire process more efficient. The younger staff particularly appreciated not having to deal with paper forms.”
With three seasonal employees managing rentals across multiple launch points, the ability to handle checkouts, documentation, and customer interactions directly from their phones streamlined the entire process. “They could pull up customer information, handle the forms, take pictures, and get signatures right there on the spot,” Terry notes. “It made things a lot better for them.”
THE HUMAN TOUCH: Support That Makes the Difference
The ongoing support has been crucial to Rock Creek’s success, particularly during their first season with the platform. “Every time I’ve emailed somebody, someone has gotten back in touch with me,” Terry notes. “Kristin and the support team have been great partners in our growth.”
After the initial setup, the team remained readily available for questions, though Terry found he rarely needed to reach out. “Fortunately, I didn’t have to really call anybody a whole lot once I got it set up. We just ran with it for the whole season,” he shares. This combination of reliability and responsive support gave Rock Creek the confidence to fully embrace the platform during their busy season.
LOOKING AHEAD
Rock Creek Watercraft continues to expand, with plans to add three more units next season. Their successful implementation of Stellar has positioned them for continued growth while maintaining operational efficiency.
“For small businesses coming from where I was, I would absolutely recommend Stellar,” Terry concludes. “Having a system specifically tailored to this industry has made a significant difference in our operations. The platform just works, and it’s made managing our growth much easier.”
