The Business of Adventure Podcast

The Adventure Start-up Series - episode 3

Nearly a year in to his start-up adventure travel business, Run Weekends, Nick Butter fills us in on how it’s going as the summer season hits full swing. (Short answer: ‘really well, but it’s far more intense than he expected!’) Describing our chats for the pod as ‘business therapy’, Nick takes some time to step back and reflect. Some of the key points we cover include: * Choosing your marketing spend: online vs IRL * When to take the risk of hiring your first employee * What skills your business needs to grow * Should you get a business partner? If you’re thinking of starting an adventure business (or any kind of business really!), or you’re on your own start-up journey, then take a listen, and you may want to check out episode 1 [https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/the-adventure-start-up-series-episode] and episode 2 [https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/the-adventure-start-up-series-episode-2d3] as well. And if you enjoy this episode please like and share! About Nick In addition to being the first and only person to run a marathon in every country in the world over 23 months, Nick went on to run North to South of Italy totting up 100 marathons in 100 days, and then doubled that distance by circumnavigating Britain, running 5250 miles around the coast of UK in 128 days. He’s also an author, speaker and coach. Follow the links below to find out more, and if you know people who’d be interested in this podcast, please share now! Key links: https://www.runweekends.com/ https://www.facebook.com/runweekends/ https://www.instagram.com/runweekends Episode 1: https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/the-adventure-start-up-series-episode [https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/the-adventure-start-up-series-episode] Episode 2: https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/the-adventure-start-up-series-episode-2d3 [https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/the-adventure-start-up-series-episode-2d3] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventurecollective.substack.com [https://adventurecollective.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Adventure Start-up Series - episode 2

In episode 1 [https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/the-adventure-start-up-series-episode] of ‘The Adventure Start-Up Series’ we heard about the launch of new venture Run Weekends from its founder, record-breaking marathon runner Nick Butter. In episode 2, we’re a few months into operation and Nick’s still feeling excited and anxious but also has a growing sense of confidence about how it’s going. There’s lots still to learn but he’s getting some great feedback, cashflow is going OK and he’s thinking about how he can bring more people on board to help. If you’re thinking of starting an adventure business (or any kind of business really!), or you’re on your own start-up journey, then take a listen. There’s lots to learn (including on funding and financials, as well as marketing and operations) and Nick’s enthusiasm is inspiring! And if you enjoy this episode please like and share! About Nick In addition to being the first and only person to run a marathon in every country in the world over 23 months, Nick went on to run North to South of Italy totting up 100 marathons in 100 days, and then doubled that distance by circumnavigating Britain, running 5250 miles around the coast of UK in 128 days. He’s also an author, speaker and coach. Follow the links below to find out more, and if you know people who’d be interested in this podcast, please share now! Key links: https://www.runweekends.com/ https://www.facebook.com/runweekends/ https://www.instagram.com/runweekends Episode 1: https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/the-adventure-start-up-series-episode [https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/the-adventure-start-up-series-episode] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventurecollective.substack.com [https://adventurecollective.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Surround yourself with the right people. And just go start the journey!

The second of two podcast chats with one of our subscribers, Paul Reeve of Sky Blue Adventures. Listen to the first episode to find out more about what the business does and how Paul got it started. In the second part of our discussion we talk about: * The key commercial skills you need and how you go about learning them. The sort of business skills you may not have needed til you are running an adventure business * The state of mind to cultivate in order to make a living from adventure * Reinforcing how being really clear what you want to be known for helps you with so many things (including in this case things like price negotiations) * The sort of people you will want to get support and help from. (For example, the coaching group Paul is part of.) Find out more about Paul Reeve and connect with him here: https://skyblueadventures.co.uk/ [https://skyblueadventures.co.uk/] https://www.facebook.com/SkyBlueAdventures/ [https://www.facebook.com/SkyBlueAdventures/] https://www.instagram.com/skyblueadventures1/ [https://www.instagram.com/skyblueadventures1/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-reeve-7a103545/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-reeve-7a103545/] Know anyone earning a living in the world of adventure who would like this podcast? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventurecollective.substack.com [https://adventurecollective.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Building strong foundations for an adventure business

In this first of two podcast chats, we talk to one of our subscribers, Paul Reeve of Sky Blue Adventures. Over a career in the police, he had a range of roles where he built up a strong network of contacts with people in the various “Blue Lights” services.  Meanwhile, in his spare time he was doing lots of freelancing in the Mountain Leader world, growing his qualifications as he went. He started Sky Blue Adventures over a decade ago and now runs it full time.  The business specialises in supporting Charity Challenge Events.  Things like The UK’s Three Peaks Challenge as well as bespoke international challenges like the Emergency Service Challenges in Nepal and Tanzania. As it stands now they have over a hundred events booked in for this year. In the first part of our discussion we’ll be talking about: * What the differences are between being a freelancer and running your own business * How it feels at the different stages of growing a business – and why this is an important guide to help you choose the right business strategies to focus on * How the clearer you can define what you want your business to be known for, the easier it will be to find the right clients – and the right staff and people to work with. And finally we’ll get some tips from Paul on the all important topic of selling and how to do it so you don’t feel awkward. Find out more about Paul Reeve and connect with him here: https://skyblueadventures.co.uk/ [https://skyblueadventures.co.uk/] https://www.facebook.com/SkyBlueAdventures/ [https://www.facebook.com/SkyBlueAdventures/] https://www.instagram.com/skyblueadventures1/ [https://www.instagram.com/skyblueadventures1/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-reeve-7a103545/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-reeve-7a103545/] Know anyone earning a living in the world of adventure who would like this podcast? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventurecollective.substack.com [https://adventurecollective.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

"Enjoy the moment but it won't last for ever"

In our first interview [https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/how-to-build-a-long-term-international] with Moose we learned a bit about how he’s become an incredibly experienced outdoor professional, now based in the Yosemite National Park in California. In part II of our recording, he gives us some more valuable advice, including the importance of adaptability and not becoming too wedded to one vision of your life, business and career. He says, “What you want from life and work will change, so enjoy the moment but it won’t last for ever.” He’s also got some valuable insights to share on * Working abroad - the pros and cons * Why it pays to write a book (but not necessarily in £ or $) * The ‘opportunity of the awful British weather’! Let us know what you think of Moose’s sometimes controversial views? And if you’d like to feature on the podcast get in touch! Listen to part I of the chat with Moose here [https://adventurecollective.substack.com/p/how-to-build-a-long-term-international]. Find out more about Moose and connect with him here: https://www.moosemutlow.com/ https://www.instagram.com/moosemutlow/ https://www.facebook.com/FLOresources Know anyone earning a living in the world of adventure who would like this podcast? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventurecollective.substack.com [https://adventurecollective.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]