Meet the Founder - Jake Vavala
Jake grew up on a lake in New York, where his passion for boating began at a young age. Throughout high school, he worked hands-on with boats — cleaning, maintaining, and learning the ins and outs of vessel care. After graduating, he attended the University of Arizona before moving to Chicago to work at Morgan Stanley as an equity trader.
While the finance world sharpened his discipline and attention to detail, Jake eventually returned to what he loved most: working on the water. He left the trading desk, founded a boat detailing business in Chicago, and quickly built it into a successful operation known for reliability and high-quality work.
With a vision to bring a more modern, professional, and customer-focused approach to yacht care, Jake moved to San Diego to expand his services and launched HarborSide. Today, he combines his marine experience, service expertise, and business background to deliver a premium, trustworthy experience for yacht owners throughout Southern California and Chicago.