BUSINESS: HOW I SAVED MY COMPANY: OCEANBLUES DIVERS

The signs began to emerge shortly after Oceanblue Divers celebrated its second anniversary in the fall of 2008 — just as the stock market tanked. As the economy collapsed, travel became a much tougher sell. Twelve people attended the company’s monthly happy hour instead of the usual 80 or 100. Soon, trips that normally attracted 15 to 25 divers were leaving with five to 10.

Watch the video below to see how Michael Feld, the company’s founder, redoubled his marketing efforts to build a community of divers that has reinvigorated the company. “Our trips are selling out,” said Mr. Feld, “and we’re doing better than ever.”