Sean Kelly is a Pennsylvania native who relocated to Florida in 2006, stepping into the marine industry with no prior boating experience—only a childhood connection to summers on the water and a technical background in automotive repair. It wasn’t long before he recognized a gap in the market: surface care products were underperforming, customers were frustrated, and traditional detailing services failed to keep up with the demands of the harsh marine environment.
In 2007, Sean stumbled upon Gtechniq, a little-known UK brand pioneering nano coatings—a discovery that became a pivotal moment in his career. He dove headfirst into testing, using his savings and credit to trial every product on the market. What started as necessity quickly became mastery. He taught himself the chemistry and mechanics of coatings, from PTFE sealants to micro-abrasives, and began applying this knowledge to boats suffering under Florida’s brutal salt, sun, and scheduling chaos.
Even though Sean had never attended formal school, his deep understanding of surfaces and nano-chemistry became a cornerstone of his work. He not only interpreted the complex technologies behind these coatings—he began helping shape them. He was one of the early master implementers of nanotechnology in surface protection, with field-tested insights that would go on to influence product development across the industry.
Rather than burn out, Sean doubled down. He launched a new model: annual service programs using ceramic coatings, designed to minimize maintenance, maximize appearance, and optimize scheduling for both his team and his clients. This shift not only stabilized his growing business—Premier Boat Detailing—but laid the groundwork for larger innovations to come. After a brief partnership distributing Ceramic Pro with his brother—a relationship that became strained—Sean endured being pushed out of the brand he helped bring to market. What might have been a setback turned into his second “aha” moment. Choosing integrity over shortcuts, he began quietly developing his own formulas and systems.
That vision led to Ceramic DNA, a high-performance product line and aftercare brand born from thousands of hours in the field. Alongside it, he launched the Smooth Ownership Strategy™, a unique surface care framework based on Correction, Protection, and Aftercare. The system reflects Sean’s core belief: quality isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategy.
Today, Sean operates from a facility large enough to house multiple million-dollar center consoles and is considered one of the foremost experts in marine coatings in the country.
Advanced coatings and aftercare products.
A premium service brand for boats and vehicles.
A division focused on protecting luxury coastal homes using anti-corrosion nano technologies.
Outside of business, Sean is a lifelong learner. He’s a self-taught chef, a biohacker, a firearms enthusiast, and a believer in high-performance living. He actively mentors other entrepreneurs, studies artificial intelligence, and continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible through grit, data, and dedication.
With nearly two decades of trial, error, and technical breakthroughs behind him, Sean’s work is now expanding into the luxury real estate and hospitality sectors. His goal? Build a legacy of protection-driven surface strategies that span land and sea.
Get in touch and discover why clients across the marine, residential, and luxury sectors trust DNA to protect what matters most — smoothly and sustainably.
