Capt. Sandy Yawn has calmly handled sea storms, demanding clients and lovesick crew members. But during a Feb. 17 phone interview from Florida, the star of Bravo’s “Below Deck Mediterranean” almost lost her cool because a neighbor was blasting his leaf blower.
“What is he doing?” she said, straining to hear over the racket next door so she could discuss her upcoming appearance at the Minneapolis Home + Garden Show.
Yawn, who just turned 61, did manage to retain her composure, just like she has during her nine seasons on the “Below Deck” spinoff, beloved for both its soap opera squabbles and its picturesque ports.
Yawn is prepared to share behind-the-scenes tales, leadership tips and travel recommendations during her Feb. 28 and March 1 chats from the Fresh Ideas stage at the Minneapolis Convention Center. She offered a preview while stepping outside of a friend’s house in Tampa.
Q: Considering the venue, let’s start with some home and garden questions. Do you have a green thumb?
A: I grew up in a family of farmers. We always had plants and flowers. If you drove up to our house, it was like a jungle. I love vegetation. That’s why I live in North Florida [Jacksonville]. South Florida is a concrete jungle.
Q: What do you bring on board to make your cabin seem more like home?
A: I don’t really bring anything but my clothes. I’ll have a good book to read, mostly self-help books, but you can do that electronically now. Technology has really changed travel. I like to shop when we are in port, so I try to keep my suitcases empty so I can fill them.
