SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Syracuse Boat Tours – Making Waves in The Community

During the summer of 2024, a new boat tour company made its way onto the waters of the Seneca River and Onondaga Lake. Syracuse Boat Tours provides locals and visitors the opportunity to gain an appreciation for the Central New York area and the beauty it has to offer. Annette Peters, the company’s owner, is a passionate entrepreneur, visionary, and proud member of our community. She lived on the Seneca River for years and enjoyed taking her friends out to boat on both the river and Onondaga Lake. Peters took notice of how much they appreciated the beauty of the water, especially the lake. After spending most of her career in human resources and marketing, Peters was ready for a big change. Annette started working on her idea with the help the North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and M&T Bank a few years ago and opened her company in July 2024. “Starting a small business can be overwhelming, but having an objective, experienced business advisor made all the difference for me. Mark Pitonzo expertly guided me through the financial process by asking all the right questions to help me craft accurate financial projections,” Peters said. “He escorted me through the entire loan application process and beyond and was always ready to answer my calls — even the last-minute ones. Having a business professional to consult and strategize with has been an invaluable tool for me. He was also very helpful with constructing my business plan. Without his help and the North Central SBDC, we wouldn’t have been able to secure the funding for the boat through M&T Bank.” Syracuse Boat Tours holds regular themed cruises on her boat and offers many experiences for different audiences. All tours are captained by U.S. Coast Guard master captains. Rides include sunset cruises, beer and popcorn tours, wine tasting, and cocktail cruises. Peters and her crew offer Tiki Bar Tuesdays, historical lake cruises, and even a “Swiftie” cruise where guests sing along to their favorite Taylor Swift songs. There are also family tours that appeal to all ages. Most tours last 90 minutes with some lasting an hour. Customers get to build the experience that they want on their tour. They can pick the music and the overall “vibe” that they’re seeking. Syracuse Boat Tours is open to letting the customers set the tone and schedule. It’s really the experience that people want and enjoy. The boat is used for special events in which groups can rent out the entire boat for whatever kind of ride they are seeking. Peters has hosted corporate charters, birthday parties, baby showers, anniversary parties and church groups. She believes it’s a perfect little intimate party venue. People come from all over to experience the tour. It’s a great place to bring guests from out of town or for locals to gain a new appreciation for the beauty and fun that is in their backyard. Peters “wears a lot of hats” as she’s involved in all aspects of the tours, from being the company’s owner to bartending during the rides. She says she has as much fun as the passengers do. The business has been an excellent fit for her because she’s been able to use her strengths from her past experiences in management and marketing. And thanks to an outpouring of community support and impressive demand in her first year, she quickly realized that she was going to need a larger boat — and has purchased a new one. So, hop aboard Central New York.                       

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Mark Pitonzo is an advanced certified business advisor with North Central SBDC.