Greg Nickerson | Charting the Course of an Iconic Business

Greg’s journey began as a schoolboy, working alongside his parents. When he finished school in 1974 he officially joined the business full-time. Back then, the dealership was a small operation with just a handful of staff. Greg chose to focus on sales, a decision that would shape his future and the dealership. “My parents started the business from nothing in the 1960s,” Greg recalls. "Back when you could still do things like that."

In 1986, Greg and his wife Trish made the big decision to buy the business from his parents, allowing Keith and Marlene to enjoy their retirement. “It wasn’t simply a passing of the baton, but a strategic purchase that marked a clear transition,” Greg explains. "The business was their retirement plan, and they had worked really hard to build it - we bought it from them so they could truly retire."

From the outset, Greg and Trish aimed to modernise and refresh the business. Trish studied accounting and oversaw the crucial behind-the-scenes management, allowing Greg to direct his energy towards customer relationships and sales growth. "Trish put in a massive effort to make the splitting of the tasks happen," Greg explains.

Under their leadership, Northside Marine flourished. Central to their philosophy was the principle of treating all customers equally, regardless of the size of their purchase. "Every customer deserves respect—it’s a significant investment for each of them,” Greg stresses.

Integral to their growth was a strategic partnership with Yamaha, a relationship that spanned two distinct periods: from 1992 to 1998 and from 2011 to the present day. Initially, marine dealerships rarely represented multiple brands, but as the industry evolved in the 2000s, Greg recognised an opportunity to rekindle a valuable partnership. Today, Yamaha is a cornerstone of Northside Marine’s continued success.

“Our decision to become a Yamaha dealer was very much customer-driven,” Greg shares. “When you sell a Yamaha outboard, you rarely see that customer again unless it’s for a service. Yamaha's reliability and features like the Helm Master have significantly contributed to our reputation and customer satisfaction."

Greg’s influence didn’t end at Northside Marine, he has been a pivotal figure within the broader marine industry, serving as president of both the Boating Industry Association of Queensland and the Australian Boating Industry Association. Greg was passionate about professionalising an industry traditionally seen as a mum-and-dad operation. He pushed for structures similar to those found in the automotive industry, emphasising career development, and industry-wide collaboration.

"My dad was involved right from the early days," Greg notes. "His aim was always to instil pride in the industry. That passion carried forward with me—I wanted people to see marine dealership as a viable, attractive career path." Greg’s contributions helped transform boat shows from volunteer-run gatherings to professionally run events, raising the industry’s profile significantly.

Now entering retirement, Greg reflects candidly on his decision to step away. "It mostly comes down to age. I don’t feel my age, but I recognise the reality that there’s a time when your influence naturally diminishes.” Having gradually stepped back over recent years, he embraced the need for new energy and fresh enthusiasm. “When I sensed complacency creeping in, I knew it was time. You need people who get excited selling even the smallest motor, just as I did in the early days.”

Selling the business was an emotional decision which Greg describes as a mixture of pride and nostalgia, with a tinge of guilt. "It took several years to genuinely step back," he confesses. "I had to learn to let go and trust our exceptional team to handle things. It’s important to give the next generation room to grow."

His advice to others considering retirement or selling their dealerships is practical. "Selling a business takes patience and preparation,” he explains. “The day you start your business is the day you should start planning your exit. It’s a long-term strategy. Ensure your house is in order because potential buyers will do thorough due diligence."

As for the keys to his successful tenure, Greg is clear: "Keep it simple and maintain long-term relationships." Northside Marine’s longstanding employees, some exceeding 30 and even 40 years, reflect the culture of respect, empathy, and pride Greg and Trish cultivated. He proudly lists staff such as Glenn Riley, Wayne Cross, Bill Hull, Donna Kup Ferroth, Ross Tanner, and Colin Kean as crucial figures in the company's success. “Our team was always our greatest asset.”

Though retirement brings a sense of liberation from daily business pressures, Greg admits it has been a tough adjustment. "Every day for 50 years was about growing, improving, and caring for our business and staff. Now I can finally pursue the things I’ve talked about for decades like getting out on the water aboard my new Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095. It has Twin Yamaha 300 outboards on the back and Trish and I look forward to sharing it with our children and grandchildren for years to come.”

Reflecting on his career, Greg remains an enthusiastic advocate for the boating industry. "My ride has been fantastic. Now it’s my turn to step back. To those who make this their career, remember that we often undervalue and undersell the expertise within this industry. Take pride in what you do."