Money & Me: Plain sailing for Abu Dhabi-based world champion

Abu Dhabi yacht captain Erika Lessman has never accepted a job just for the money - for her, the challenge and adventure is more important than the financial gain.

Erika Lessman takes jobs for the challenge, not the money. Ravindranath K / The National

Erika Lessmann, the only female professional yacht captain in the UAE, is the operations manager for the Abu Dhabi-based boat tour agency Captain Tony’s. The Brazilian, 58, moved to the UAE in 2006 after landing her first job as a sailing instructor. Ms Lessman, a two-time sailing world champion, lives in Al Raha Beach and also teaches sailing to female Emiratis.

Since I first started working, I have never taken a job just for the money. It was always for the challenge. I have had many different jobs; I was once a manager of a private island off Salvador in Brazil. This was my best-ever paying role. My longest post of around five years was as manager of a yacht club in Buzios in Brazil. I have also worked as a captain in the Caribbean and between all of my jobs I did sailing delivery trips – where a boat owner pays a crew to deliver a boat from one place to another – I did four across the Atlantic. I didn’t necessarily earn much on those trips, but I didn’t spend either.

Are you a spender or saver?

My philosophy is not to run out of money. Despite regularly changing job, I have had a lot of fun and always live in the moment. I often accept work purely for the challenge or adventure, rather than for financial reasons. But I am always good at my job – when I work, my job becomes my life.

Is money important to you?

I have always been self-sufficient but I don’t live to make money and luckily I’ve lived in some of the most extravagant places through my work. I have also had some interesting living conditions – whether it was on a container, a yacht, an island or in a boutique hotel. Money is necessary, but I am in a stage in my life where less is more when it comes to material possessions.

Have you made any financial mistakes along the way?

Yes, a big mistake was not pursuing a university degree in business administration. This is something I regret as the combination of not having a degree and being a woman has made me earn less money over the years. I am not a good salary negotiator either. Another mistake I made was when I divorced – I left everything behind.

What has been your biggest financial lesson?

When I sold my 50 per cent share in a house that I inherited with my sister in 2001. We sold the house in haste at a bad time and I did not invest the money I earned from the sale. Eventually, the money was spent.

If you won Dh1 million, what would you do with it?

I would publish my book about UAE racing dhows that I have been working on for nine years. Half of the book is photographs and the other half text explaining how the racing dhows work. The dhows were introduced to the UAE in the 1970s and adopted after the fishing and pearl diving dhows to preserve the heritage of sailing in this country. I would also invest some of the money in a retirement plan and keep some for medical insurance. I would like to go to a few yoga retreats around the world too. But by then, the money will be gone.

What has been your best investment?

In myself, by doing things such as therapy and yoga.

What do you enjoy spending money on?

I like to feel good about the place I live. This is important to me. I won’t live in a bad place to save money; quality food is also important. I like spending on photography too as well as travel.

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