The Helm is Hers: Leilani Wales and the Success of AGL Yacht Sales
- Every Media Productions
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 12
Some lead with strategy. Others, with expertise. But a rare few command the helm with both, guided not only by vision, but by something deeper: soul.
By Fábio Borges, reporting from San Diego, California.
Leilani Anne Wales is one of those rare women. In an industry long steered by men, she has charted her own course with elegance and a compass fixed firmly on purpose.
As a certified professional yacht broker and the co-founder of AGL Yacht Sales, her name has become synonymous with trust, excellence and a client-first philosophy that has quietly redefined the yachting experience.
Leilani’s journey began more than 20 years ago, with a man she fell in love with. “It started with a boyfriend,” she laughs. "I used to own a jewelry business, buying and selling gold bullion. However, when I shifted to yacht sales, I really didn't have a clue. I learned from him, he taught me all the nautical terms.”
And Leilani learned really fast. “My first sale? A $250,000 yacht. From there, I dove in."
What began as a business opportunity quickly transformed into a calling and a new lifestyle. “I never really knew there was another community, which is the boating community” she recalls. “And that's actually what started me to love the community itself. It's the people. And then, all of a sudden, I got to learn how to tie knots, learned all the nautical terminology and everything.”
Leilani's transition from a novice to a respected yacht broker didn’t come without challenges. As an Asian woman in a space long defined by white male dominance, she had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. “You rarely see Asian people or even Afro-Americans. So I wanted to change that, because anybody can do anything, right? So my goal was actually to be a female, minority-owned yacht brokerage.” And she did it!
Today, AGL Yacht Sales is much more than a business, it is a tribute. The name AGL honors her two daughters, April and Gina, both of whom she lost when used to live in Washington State. “They were my partners and they are the founders of AGL Yacht Sales,” she says with a softness that stands in contrast to her fierce determination. By the way, the “L” stands for Leilani, of course.
AGL sets itself apart not just through its inventory or services, but through the human connection Leilani fosters with her clients. “Our relationship continues after the deals. My relationship with clients becomes a lifetime friendship.”
Her expertise is vast. From trawlers and sailboats to catamarans and mega yachts, Leilani has sold them all. “Even just a dinghy,” she jokes. “Come on. There are a lot of different types of dinghy, by the way.”
And evolve it does. “It's not only that I enjoy finding them the right boat. It's actually, I'm helping their dream to own their boat.”
For Leilani, the sea isn’t just a backdrop, it is the stage upon which her life unfolds. Her story is one of resilience, grace and defiance of expectation. “I think that women are really behind the success of the yachting industry.”
To those dreaming of yacht ownership, Leilani extends a heartfelt invitation. “I will guide you to the right direction where it's actually fun and exciting and we'll create memories together.”
In the world of yachting, there are brokers and then there is Leilani Anne Wales. A woman whose compass is guided not just by the stars, but by legacy, love and salt in the blood.
Connect with Leilani Anne Wales
AGL Yacht Sales, Inc.
San Diego, California
Office: +1 (619) 323-1321
Cell: +1 (360) 621-4682
