Jeanette and her husband Shane Guanaria from Doyle Sails Sydney make a formidable duo and have done since acquiring the MacDiarmid Sails loft in Sydney in November 2013, a loft Shane had worked for since he was a teenager. Two years later, in 2015, the couple expanded by merging with Doyle Sails Sydney and built the business over a period of years before transitioning into a full time role in 2020.
Jeanette’s role is one with many facets, as a director of a locally owned and operated sail loft, tasks can vary from routine administrative tasks to doing what is required to keep the business functioning at peak performance.
Jeanette also takes pride in managing the staff at Doyle Sails Sydney, which is growing at a rapid pace. Striving to foster growth and development for each of the staff members and emphasizing and maintaining a cohesive and supportive team dynamic. Jeanette has worked hard to deliver a working environment that is fulfilling, with respect and great chemistry – the staff members look forward to coming to work at the Doyle Sails Sydney loft which is a big credit to the team.
Jeanette and Shane support each other seamlessly, while Jeanette is not a sailmaker by trade, she is often a regular presence on Doyle-powered yachts in Sydney, fitting sails and covers, or supporting the sailmakers measuring sails.
In 2023 Shane spent considerable time sailing overseas with Doyle Sails Sydney clients, leaving Jeanette with the reigns at Doyle Sails Sydney – a baptism by fire of sorts as it lead to Jeanette becoming more involved in every aspect of the business, from putting together membranes, panelled sails, and spinnakers. The breadth of knowledge is essential to business such as Doyle Sails Sydney and showcases the true strength of the ‘by sailors, for sailors’ ethos. It is imperative that while Shane often fronts the operations side of the business, when he is offshore, the Sydney loft continues to function at full capacity.
Jeanette commented, “Supporting our business, our company and our customers is the key to our success. To be able to become part of the key decision making in all aspects of our business is something I continue to develop within myself, and I’m constantly growing as a business owner”.
While Jeanette typically avoids the higher performance racing scene, she enjoys being out on the water. Although she obtainined her boat license at 13, which is a requirement in Australia, Jeanette didn’t start sailing until she met Shane – Jeanette jokes, “every time I went sailing after that, it rained. It was well-known among our group that if I was going to be in a twilight race, you had to bring wet weather gear.”
More often than not, the Guanaria family are on the water, Jeanette continues, “we are regulars in the RSYS annual cruise with our family, where we take a back seat and let the kids “race”. I prefer the boat to be flat enough so that my wine glass doesn’t slide away. There is something to be said about finishing first across the line with a champagne and charcuterie board on deck!”
Being part of the Doyle Sails loft network has offered Jeanette the opportunity to help run a successful business alongside her husband, providing flexibility for their family with children.
“It has also allowed me to grow and learn a whole new industry. I come from a project management role in corporate property insurance, so diving into the sailing industry had been a challenge even for someone who had watched my husband in the industry his whole adult life,” says Jeanette. “I’ve learned a lot from the Doyle Sails International team, particularly around the areas of brand recognition and marketing. I’ve learned the importance of being involved with a strong brand that has a solid background and product behind it.”
For Jeanette, the learning within the Doyle Sails is not just about the product; it’s also about the people. “From the designers to the production team to the marketing and administration team, to the management team, Doyle Sails has a history of employing the best to produce the best. Their energy towards the brand, product, and boat owners and sailors in general is infectious. They support and inspire the group so that we can produce the best product and service for our clients.”
“I’ve been fortunate to witness the growth of the sailing industry over the past 10 years through our family business, operating under the Doyle Sails umbrella. It’s been inspiring to see my children develop a love for sailing; our 9-year-old daughter Maddie enjoys sailing on our Bavaria 41, and for our 14-year-old son Ollie, he has transitioned from loving days out on the boat to seeking the thrill of racing. He has been actively participating in winter racing at the CYCA on Gordon Ketelbey’s TP52 Zen and was recently accepted into the Talented Sailor Squad at the CYCA. Additionally, he had the incredible opportunity to join the crew on Moneypenny during the Raymarine Australian Maxi Championships and the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, leading up to the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Throughout these events, he demonstrated great initiative and was commended by both professional sailors and Sean Langman himself. His school even live-streamed one of the races during class so his friends could watch and support him.
“Being part of the Doyle Sails family business has also allowed us to witness groundbreaking developments within the sailing industry, particularly in technology, materials, design, and manufacturing. The shift towards sustainability has been particularly inspiring, and I am proud that Doyle Sails has been at the forefront of this movement. These advancements have propelled our family business to become a leading force in the Australian industry, something I am immensely proud to be a part of.”
