"In the course of 25 years, I went through eight boats," he said, spending as much time as he could on the water. He bought his first boat the summer after his freshman year at George Washington University in the District. His largest craft was a 32-footer.

That love affair ended a few years ago. "I didn't need to do it anymore," he simply says.

These days, the Arlington resident likes to hang out at hot air balloon shows, often helping with the set up, launch and clean-up for the balloons. Now and then, the ballooners are "appreciative of my crewing and they take me up," Sklar, 53, says.

While he finds it fun simply to watch the balloons take off and float away, he describes being in the bucket as "feeling like you're in front of a large cinematic screen that's all around you, watching the scenery."

There no sense of movement, he says.

When he's on terra firma, Sklar runs Ballyhoo in Arlington, specializing in custom embroidery and screen printing. Among his clients are, not surprisingly, a sailing club (Singles on Sailboats ‹ "We act as their club store," he says) and a hot air balloon group (Carolinas Balloon Association). Ballyhoo also has some schools as clients, and has embroidered yarmulkes with a bridal couple's names.

His business life began in the computer world. He had taken a computer programming class back in high school, and then majored in applied mathematics and computer science at George Washington University, where he later received his master's in business administration.

For years, he worked in programming, analysis and project management for a number of companies in Greater Washington, including, he says, "Network Solutions, before they had a recognizable name."

In recent years, "I thought it would be nice to do something more tangible," he says, and gave some consideration to everything from food service to manufacturing countertops.

He was also looking to do something that customers would appreciate, explaining that in the computer field, he was often helping companies develop and set up new systems, meaning employees "have to stop and learn the new system. There's not a lot of happiness."

A member of Etz Hayim in Arlington, he learned about the embroidery business at a franchise expo. It appealed to him because it was on the creative side, allowed him to do computer graphics, was a "tangible sort of thing and, generally, there's immediate feedback."

Sklar first began Ballyhoo out of his home about three years ago, opening the storefront in January 2006.

"Once I started, it was kind of fun," he says. Customers come in to pick up their goods, "and their eyes light up, and they say, 'This is great.' " ‹ Debra Rubin

Suggestions for profiles may be sent to InFocus@washingtonjewishweek.com.

Name: David Sklar

Hebrew name: David

Lives in: Arlington

Birthday: Sept. 22, 1953

Synagogue: Etz Hayim, Arlington

Favorite Jewish holiday: Pesach

Favorite Jewish food: tzimmes