Blog — This Ancient City

From rentals to repairs and a flare for local lore, a new purveyor of luxury transport is a one-stop-shop en route to the perfect beach day.

To live and play in a veritable beach town is a treasure. A day in St. Augustine Beach is often marked by a combination of peace, tranquility, and the dynamic versatility of all that coastal life offers. For some, this means a sandy sunrise workout followed by a dip in the ocean. After a short walk, local coffee is accessible without having to step foot indoors. From there, a brunch buffet could be the move. There, that was a springboard - keep dreaming up your perfect day at the beach from there.

Still, any beach day can be enhanced with the help of efficient mobility. While a car is hardly needed to swing by the farmers market before a visit to the lighthouse - a more understated and eco-friendly mode of transportation is tempting to onlookers, struck with the fear of missing out. Enter Pirate Island Golf Carts. They saw a need, and began to fill it in ways that embrace the culture of our coastal community. Pirate Island Golf Carts opened their doors in the autumn of 2024. Co-owners Aaron Moyer and Kevin Cannon had a number of run-ins when Aaron would visit his former office (subsequently occupied by Kevin) to retrieve mail. The two became golfing buddies, sharing a vision of bringing golf carts off the green and onto the mainstream. Between Aaron’s marketing and graphic design skill set and Kevin’s experience owning car dealerships, their combined sensibilities lent themselves to operating a full service showroom. Prior to becoming CEO of Pirate Island Golf Carts, Aaron obtained his bachelor's degree in Media Communication and Business Development from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. He later relocated to Key West, where he ran a rental business offering pedicabs, scooters and golf carts. Says Aaron, “I wanted to bring a Key West feel to St. Augustine Beach.” In other words, the freeing feeling of being barefoot, wind in your hair, and friends in tow. Why the name “Pirate Island Golf Carts”? “We were playing off the historical accounts of St. Augustine,” explains Aaron. “Pirates were known to frequent our town…thus we have a pirate museum, pirate ships, people dressed like pirates…and of course, pirates were known to stop on Anastasia Island.” he continues.

Located a stone’s throw from the beach, Pirate Island Golf Carts is a one-stop-shop: covering sales, rentals and maintenance. They carry an inventory of iconic brands such as Club Car, E-Z-GO, Cushman (E-Z-GO’s commercial division), and Garia. Garia is rightfully a pride point with its high-end design, street-legal options, European craftsmanship and customization options. Partnering with such brands reminds clients that golf carts can be redefined as bonafide luxury leisure vehicles vs. simply a means of transport on the green. Carrying the Cushman line paves the way for residual income opportunities for the likes of college campuses, warehouses and resorts. They allow the establishments to lease carts and then utilize a subleasing arrangement that can procure revenues surpassing the initial rental price. This arbitrage is made possible by Pirate Island’s introduction of E-Z-GO’s commercial fleet. The Cushman brand opens the way to partnering with neighborhood associations, RV parks, airports, campgrounds, and law enforcement entities.

The narrow passageways common on Anastasia Island make golf carts a handy means of getting around. By reducing air and noise pollution, they are a great fit in a community with a love of preservation and respect for our #realflorida flora and fauna. Open air and leisurely travel with friends is an ideal way to soak up coastal scenery that might be missed while in a car. Many can relate to the struggle of securing beach parking during peak season. Zipping around in a compact cart offers a unique parking advantage - making otherwise tight, empty spaces fair game.

Some clients have an interest in converting existing carts into LSVs (low speed vehicles.) This is a service offered by Pirate Island Golf Carts, which helps ensure compliance with ordinances unique to the territory.

As much as St. Augustine is a tourist destination, Aaron and Kevin have a passion for enhancing experiences for locals, too. They have sweetened the deal by extending special pricing to beach residents. When sharing testimonials, clients tout the diligence and professionalism of the Pirate Island team along with their inventory of high tech models. To make the booking process as seamless as possible, deliveries can be arranged.

Pirate Island Golf Carts is more than a business; it's a supporter of St. Augustine Beach culture. They have tapped into the community's desire for seamless, environmentally conscious, and enjoyable transportation by purveying a wide range of cart options. Beyond sales and rentals, Aaron and Kevin are curating an experience - blending old world delight with cutting edge comfort. Here’s to a new phase of relaxation and portability at the beach.

Impact-Site-Verification: 724262018

“It’s not what you know, but who you know.” So goes the adage. Networking has proven itself a powerful tool that fuels career growth. Northeast Florida is home to scores of women in business who leverage the power of strong networks. It is also home to an organization that outlines steps needed to build robust networks.

Women With Vision (WWV) is a Council of the St Johns County Chamber of Commerce. Their mission is to empower white-collar women through mentorship. They host speakers who expound upon topics germane to women’s leadership. This encourages members to embrace their vision, purpose and value. WWV averages upwards of 40-50 in attendance at their quarterly meetings. For a decade, Isabelle Renault has served as President and CEO of the Chamber. Under her tenure, WWV was launched in 2019. When it comes to St. Augustine’s networking culture, Renault knows the impact of face-to-face meetings - even as videoconferencing proliferates. Says Renault, “Even though we’re a growing community, people like to meet people in person.” When gathering, it is important to establish common ground. “See what you can do to help that person,” Renault advises. She refers to this process as “netweaving” - a holistic experience whereby providing value makes a person and her services memorable enough to subsequently articulate them to other parties with ease. St. Augustine remains a “small town” at heart despite a booming backdrop of development. Reputation is everything. You might say your name enters the room before you do.

Jennifer Howard is a CPA who has been a member of WWV since 2023. She is a colleague of Renault’s with a harmonious vision of effective networking. Says Howard, “I’ve found that building strong relationships happens when you offer value first—whether that’s sharing expertise…or simply being present to listen.” Adopting a genuine approach with routine follow up also plays a vital role.

Research published in Social Networks suggests that women surpass men in their ability to map informal networks. The potential to leverage this “superpower” cannot be overstated. Enter the advantage of shared connections.

The Academy of Management Journal distributed a study which found that women are approximately one-third more likely than men to build high-status networks via third-party mutual connections. We might think of this as degrees of separation woven with credibility. By bridging the gap between a female professional and a member of a high status network, otherwise out of reach connections are holistically forged. These negotiated links hold special advantage for women. Their edge is driven by transcending a connection with a wholesale endorsement - bundling with it favorable character testimony. The trust baked into these networks implies consistency in referring only high quality, scrutinized professionals. Such recommendations can level the playing field - opening up otherwise inaccessible inner circles colored by bias.

When authenticity, value propositions and inclusivity align, all can rightly celebrate the resulting success. Female business owners continue to be a force for good in our first coast community.

As Seen in St. Augustine SOCIAL: Carts For Cruising

How Networking is Flattening Hurdles For the Modern Business Woman