Today we’d like to introduce you to TJ Palesotti.
Hi TJ, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I went to broadcast school in 1994. Landed my first radio job in Fairmont, MN in 1996. In 1998, I took another radio job in Mankato, MN where I held various positions for 26+ years. While I worked for a few different companies, I primarily held a morning show position on a country music station with my good friend Lisa Kaye. In January of 2020 I was let go by my employer because “changes were needed”. I was immediately hired by the other radio ownership group in town and went to work as a Program Director and Morning Show Host. After 4 years the company I was working for laid off all of their programming/on-air employees nationwide and went to satellite programing.
During my time in Mankato I was also the public address announcer for the Minnesota State University Football team for 20 years and the Minnesota State University Men’s Hockey Team for 21 years along with various fill in moments for other sports like basketball, volleyball, and track & field.
I also operate a very small one man voiceover operation doing voiceover work for various clients and organizations.
I am currently transitioning out of the radio business and working toward going to work in St. Augustine, FL for a company called Red Boat Tours. It’s a business started by my dad and my step-mother that takes people out for dolphin spotting / sightseeing tours, sunset cruises, Holiday cruises, private rentals, and more. As they prepare to slow down, I am coming in with hopes of keeping the business running into the future.
I am currently splitting time between MN and FL, but I am starting to spend more time in FL with the intention of living there full time in a couple of years. In the meantime my wife still lives in MN, our children are in college, and we do our best to see each other as often as possible. It isn’t easy, but we’re making it work.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been smooth. I have incredible support around me and that helps quite a bit. My wife is my rock and she has always been the one to push me towards doing what feels right.
I intended to work in radio until I retired. I had no intention of moving anywhere. I didn’t want to leave my public address announcer job. I always joked that my life was kind of boring and I liked it. Now everything has blown up and it’s anything but boring.
Difficulties during this transition phase have included being away from my family, lots of travel, working the family dynamic into a work scenario, trying to find something that will pay a livable wage, and trying to find supplemental income while I make this transition.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As I transition to what I hope will become my next career, I plan to go to work for Red Boat Tours of St. Augustine, FL. Red Boat was started 10 years ago by my father and step-mother. (Tony and Jennifer Palesotti) Today they operate a 50’x16′ pontoon boat that takes passengers on a tour of the ancient city of St. Augustine, FL by water. We offer Dolphin Odyssey/Sightseeing tours during the day and spectacular Sunset Cruises in the evening. We also do holiday tours during St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights celebration. For two months the city is adorned in over 3 million white Christmas lights and we can double that with the lights reflecting off the water. It’s a great way to see the city without the parking and traffic hassles. We also provide specialized tours and private rentals.
I believe what sets us apart from others is our attention to customer service, cleanliness, and safety. Everyone wants to feel welcome and safe, and nobody wants to board a filthy boat. We do our best to provide a clean and safe environment while providing a fun experience for folks of all ages and abilities. We are one of the very few wheelchair accessible tour boats on the water in the area.
As our brand grows, it is important to us that our passengers have a good time and leave good reviews. Good reviews are huge in the tourism business. We have been awarded the USA Today Reader’s Choice Best Boat Tour Award 4 straight times and we have received the TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award for the last 2 years in a row. I will say, however, there is nothing more rewarding than repeat customers who continuously come back and bring their friends with them. Nothing tells you you’re dong a good job more than someone who keeps coming back, spending their money with you, and telling others about the good time they had.
While we do many public sightseeing and sunset tours throughout the year, we are also equipped with a large enough space for private events like business meetings, family reunions, weddings, company outings, and more. When our vessel is full for a tour we can hold up to 60 passengers. Our public tours are always BYOB. We offer complimentary bottled water on hot days otherwise passengers can bring their own beverages and snacks and don’t have to worry about being overcharged for something they don’t want. If a private tour does want to cater, we often will pick up the food and beverages they have ordered and have them on the boat when they arrive. There is a large bar onboard with plenty of room to lay out food and snacks during a private event.
We pride ourselves in being a veteran and family owned local business in St. Augustine, FL. We live here, work here, and spend our money here. There are always bigger corporations floating in to try to take your business, but we believe the Red Boat experience is better than all of them. Check us out at RedBoatTours.com.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
In addition to radio, public address, and Red Boat Tours I was also a high school track & field coach for 22 years. I also enjoy some part time hours at local breweries giving tours. I was a tour guide and bartender at Mankato Brewery until they closed in early 2025. I am currently a tour guide at August Schell Brewing Company in New Ulm, MN. They are the second oldest continuously family owned brewery in the US. When I’m not in FL I come home and spend some time giving tours and educating visitors on the history of the brewery.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://redboattours.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redboattours/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redboattours
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/red-boat-water-tours-saint-augustine?osq=Red+Boat+Tours
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34599-d12363672-Reviews-Red_Boat_Water_Tours-St_Augustine_Florida.html
