Two and a half years ago, we wrote a story about Courtney Dombroski, her start-up business, Feed the Fish, and her non-profit, Eco Clean Marine. I was impressed with Courtney’s passion and drive, and wished her much success as she ventured down her entrepreneurial road.

After recently seeing a full-page Eco Clean Marine ad, compliments of Bay Business News, I checked in with Courtney to see how things are going. She tells me business is good and growing. While playing games with friends during the COVID-19 restrictions, she discovered an existing business, Feed The Fish. The owner was ready to sell, and after exploring the opportunity, Courtney took a big step and purchased the company..

While servicing the fish-feeding vending machines at the Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores, she saw trash in the marsh on the Little Lagoon and decided to clean it up. “It was such a distraction to the natural beauty, and I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing,” she told me. That’s when an Original Oyster House manager saw what she was doing and embraced the idea of a trash pick up. This was the incubation of Eco Clean Marine. 

Today, Courtney services the fish feeding vending machines, operating from Panama City, Florida, to Fort Morgan, once a month, including both a 13-hour day and a 9-hour day. On other days, she hosts public and private trash pick-up events throughout the area for Eco Clean Marine. Ten percent of the proceeds from Feed the Fish go to help fund Eco Clean Marine.

Since purchasing her business in 2022, I wanted to hear about the challenges she has encountered and the advice she has for others charting their own paths. Courtney is a dynamic individual, to say the least, and is not afraid to take on challenges.

She is also not risk-averse, but believes in educated risk. “I try to resist the impulse to get ahead of myself. I wanted to settle the business purchase before taking on new projects or acquiring new technology. I pace myself financially, and that’s just how I want to grow. This also gives me time to study a problem before investing.”

Her system is paying dividends. She discovered that people these days don’t carry much cash, and the vending machines she acquired only accepted quarters or dollar bills, which limited her revenue potential. She is now converting all her vending machines to credit card “tap-to-pay” machines, which is much more convenient, and revenue per machine has increased substantially.

“Feed the Fish machines are a good vehicle to earn side cash without much effort. I’m starting to work with waterfront establishments to lease and service machines, create an additional revenue stream, and provide great entertainment for their guests.” 

She also discovered that many visitors are unaware of the difference between a pelican and a Blue Heron when they see them, so she created an E-Book website guide to help educate visitors about the area’s marine, avian, and waterfowl species.

“A lot of our development with both ventures has been on the back end,  the technology side. Having cashless vending machines is a huge benefit, but it comes with an upfront cost. It took some trial and error to figure out which system works best. At the end of the day, it’s a worthwhile investment.”

Courtney’s motivation is to fix the problem. “If we can put a plane in the air that can take you from one continent to another, then whatever problem I’m facing has a solution. That’s just how I operate.” Common sense and personality also play a significant role in running a successful business. She tells me she generates most of her Eco Clean Marine events from networking through the Chamber of Commerce.

“Doing something for the community that is positive and easy to execute is an attractive way for local businesses to have an impact. Eco Clean Marine events are great team-building exercises, and so many businesses have taken advantage of what we offer.” She tells me that when the non-profit first started in 2022, they collected around 600 buckets of trash in their first year. This year, that number has grown to almost 1000 buckets, and the busy season is just beginning.

“Feed the Fish is strong throughout the high season, and slows in Winter. People like Eco Clean Marine events when the weather is nice and the beaches are less crowded, from Fall through Spring, including the Winter months. So it balances well.”

Courtney commits time every day to interact with like-minded organizations on social media. She conducted research and discovered that Google Ads grants are available for non-profits through a specific application process. “We were awarded a $2500 grant, and once Google saw that people were responsive, they awarded us the full amount available of $10,000. You have to do your homework.”

Courtney hopes to continue growing both ventures. Businesses interested in sponsoring either a public or a private Eco Clean Marine event are asked to contribute $500 or become an annual sponsor. Some of the projects include a new turtle sanctuary at Bay Point Golf Resort, and Eco Clean Marine has introduced plastic-free, reusable aluminum water bottles.

With a tagline, 'Keeping Your Waterways Clean Locally,' hats off to Courtney.  She is chasing her dream and making a difference in the Scenic 98 Coastal communities. At the conclusion of each event, in addition to the photos taken for participants, Courtney asks everyone to smile and shoots a group video shouting “Eco Clean Marine.” 

“Everyone loves that,” she says. Go Courtney!