Meet Ethan Schaffer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ethan Schaffer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ethan, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Since I was as young as I can remember, it was always important to work hard. A strong work ethic was instilled in me coming from a military family. The high expectations and pressure I felt growing up led to me putting aside my own dreams and chasing a career that would appease my parents. This combination only led to repeated dissatisfaction and burnout. Eventually, I was so miserable that drinking was the only way I knew how to cope.

Over the last 10 years I have come to realize that while money is important, It does not matter how much I make if I am unhappy with my job. I find so much fulfillment in being of service in some way. I have really worked on finding balance in my life. Today I don’t overachieve by working extra hours or shifts. I have learned to say “no” when something is too much for me. I follow through when I say that I will do something. I do work that is rewarding, focusing on self care, family, and my community, before ego and money. I do my best to improve each and every day, but there is so much to learn and so many mistakes to be made.
I understand that these choices are not as easy for those who may be supporting large families, or whom may be struggling to pay the bills. I’m fortunate today that I can spend more time on self care. I work my day job for 3 x 12 hour shifts and have the rest of the time to work on Odyssea. It’s a great balance that affords me a nice change throughout the week.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I think I have always been an entrepreneur at heart. I went to business school for my undergraduate degree, and I have always thought about products outside the box. Since I was little, I was always thinking about how to improve things around me. Whether it is a certain product I’m working on improving or a new dish I’m doctoring up in the kitchen, I am always trying to find ways to improve things. I grew up in Encinitas and I was always in the water either fishing, Bodyboarding, or diving.

Odyssea Tackle Company was never something I had planned out. I was asked by a fishing friend of mine to repair a fishing lure he had. This particular type of lure is mainly used for giant tuna in the ocean, and is about 36 wide by 60 inches in length. It consists of a long flexible rod with several lines hanging from it. Each line has a few rubber squid that are separated by a few inches. When pulled in the water behind a boat, the lure skips across the ocean surface making big splashes and mimics a group of injured bait, something tuna cannot resist. The center line is the only one with a hook on it, and the tuna almost always go for that one. I had agreed to help my friend as I had been building fishing lures since I was young and this was a fairly easy challenge. The next thing I knew, I had guys asking me to build them these Tuna Spreader Bars. Fishing with this type of lure was a fairly new technique to the So Cal area that had not been utilized by the vast majority of anglers.
About 10 years ago The Pacific Ocean off of Southern California went through a cyclical change that ended our Albacore Tuna fishery but brought some very large Bluefin Tuna to our local waters. In the past, The waters off Southern California provided opportunities for a Bluefin Tuna occasionally, but nothing close to the magnitude we have been blessed with this past 8 years or so. These huge fish generally weigh from 15-300+ pounds in our waters. One of the most productive ways to catch these fish just so happens to be with this huge fishing lure, the Tuba Spreader Bar!
After building some for friends to try, I started modifying the classic design, making small ones, big ones, and just having fun with it. Since coming up with the name Odyssea Tackle Company and starting the business in 2021, I have personally built around 1700 of these spreader bars. This is what sets Odyssea Tackle Company apart from others. I personally build each spreader bar with the help of my wife. Each one takes about 45 min to an hour to build. I really pride myself in building each lure. I source most of the materials and components from various US and overseas based companies, but construct everything myself here in San Diego. In ocean fishing, one small mistake can cost a fish of a lifetime for an angler. So it is important that every crimp and connection is done properly.
Additionally, we take pride in our willingness to go to any length to ensure customer satisfaction. I want each encounter with my customers to be as personable as possible. Building relationships is so important and something that we sometimes take for granted with the new technology that makes it easy to never see or speak to anyone. Taking the time to write a note, send a text or email, or give that customer a call, really makes us who we are. Additionally, we really try to not take things so seriously. I think it is important to ensure that you have other income when starting a small business if possible. I understand all business goals are different but this is what has worked for me. My wife and I both work full time jobs and run Odyssea Tackle on the side. We don’t have the pressure with this being our only source of income. As a result, we can have a fun with the company, focus on giving. The risk we take on is not as great and I think this has let me be more creative with things. I believe this is all part of a ministry as well. I owe everything I have to Jesus Christ, and Odyssea has given me the opportunity to be a light to others.

Things have not always been easy along the way. I struggled with some heavy things along the path to where I am today. I’m in recovery today from Alcohol and drug addiction. There was a time when I was so low emotionally and hit rock bottom, that I was likely not going to make it. I made some drastic changes and by the grace of God, my life was saved.
I have a new perspective today and it’s one of gratitude. Odyssea Tackle Company is just one of the many miracles I have been blessed with, but the biggest one is my wife and best friend, Nichole.
Odyssea Tackle was something that the old Ethan would have never considered out of fear. I can tell you that I would have been overwhelmed by the process of starting a business and likely not proceeded if I had to write a business plan out and take the conventional route. Basically, the route I learned in school. God knew that I needed to do it a different way. I look back and just laugh because God did for me what I could never have done on my own. Things sort of just evolved step by step and here we are. Odyssea Tackle Co. had very unconventional beginnings and by no means is the poster child of business models, but that’s ok, It does not need to be perfect from the start. I have learned so many things over the past few years about myself. I think the biggest thing is to remember to have fun and to take it easy, not just with my business, but life in general. This strategy has given me time to reflect on decisions, lower expectations, and trust the process. I am grateful to God for all that he has blessed me with.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh wow, San Diego has been my home since I was 6 years old and is still the most beautiful city. I would say we must stay at the Hotel Del Coronado for a few nights, then possibly La Valencia in La Jolla. Both iconic San Diego hotels that have a rich history. Eating would definitely be at the top of the list. We would spend some time in Old Town where we would do a tour of the Whaley House at night, voted as one of the most haunted places in America. Old Town is where San Diego started, so there is some great historical sites. We would go to Old Town Mexican Cafe where the abuelas still make fresh corn and flower tortillas by hand. The Carnitas are a must here.

We would spend some time in La Jolla down near the cove, have breakfast at Brokton Villa or Sugar and Scribe, and check out the tide pools. Next head over to the Birch Aquarium for an afternoon checking out the fish and sea life. For dinner, we would head up to Pacific Coast Grill in Cardiff to get some Shrimp Dumplings with Port Wine Sauce (don’t forget the Rosemary Sourdough bread) while watching the sunset. After checking out some live music at The Belly Up in Solana Beach its time to head down to Moonlight Beach in Encinitas for a summer time bonfire.

The next day we would hit up 102 Scone in University City right at 10:00am to get our Croissant/pastry fix. The Chocolate Monkey Bread and French Canele is a must. After a day at the San Diego Zoo, its time to head to Little Italy for the farmer market and to grab a pizza at Filippis Pizza Grotto. Gela

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My brother Alex has encouraged me and helped me along the way. He has his own ocean apparel company named Uroko up in the Santa Cruz area. Alex has been an artist for most of his life, and designed our logo for us. I don’t think I would have ever even taken the steps to start a small business had it not been for watching him throughout the years hustle and turn dreams into reality. Check out his designs and artwork @ Uroko.com. My wife Nichole has been instrumental in the entire business process. She does everything from build lures to setting up and working shows with me. We are a strong team and there is no way I could sustain Odyssea without her. She pushes me and supports me in every way.

Website: https://Odysseatackleco.com

Instagram: @Odysseatackle