Making WavesMore than one hundred government agencies mocked Andy Wilson's idea, but look who's quacking now.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
The first thing you're struck by when you hear Andy Wilsontalk about the birth of his tour company, Boston Duck Tours, is howhe finds a positive spin to put on every obstacle he's faced.Even though it took him two years to bring his dream to fruition,Wilson is hesitant to complain about the lack of support he foundin the more than 100 government agencies he had to deal with to getthe 29 permits required to open his doors.
"There was a great deal of resistance to the idea at thetime, but that's taken a 180-degree turn," says Wilson,42. "Now everybody we deal with thinks we're a very goodthing for Boston."
Wilson chalks up both his good and his bad experiences to fate,but it took a lot more than destiny to get him where he is today:It took tenacity and confidence, as well as faith in the power ofBoston's history and the amphibious World War II vehiclesfondly known as Ducks. Last year, nearly 400,000 passengers tookthe plunge on Wilson's 16 Ducks--which cruise down the streetsof Boston and splash through the Charles River--to the tune of $6.2million for the 5-year-old company. And Wilson, who expects hissales to reach $7.2 million this year, has become one of the moredistinct and respected members of the Boston landscape, spreadingthe joy of quacking throughout the city.
