In episode 1 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

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://www.facebook.com/SkyBlueAdventures/

https://www.instagram.com/skyblueadventures1/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-reeve-7a103545/

Know anyone earning a living in the world of adventure who would like this podcast?

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://www.facebook.com/SkyBlueAdventures/

https://www.instagram.com/skyblueadventures1/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-reeve-7a103545/

Know anyone earning a living in the world of adventure who would like this podcast?

In our first interview 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.

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?

In this first of two podcast chats, we talk to one of our subscribers, Moose Mutlow - an incredibly experienced outdoor professional who got in touch from his base in the Yosemite National Park in California.

Now in his 50s, Moose has built a decades-long career and has some fascinating insights to share, including:

* The pros and cons of working outside the UK: Moose has worked in the US, Australia, France and Botswana among other destinations.

* What it takes to build a long-term outdoors career: how to adapt your skillset and recognise your physical limitations with age

* The value of experience over formal qualifications

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!

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?

Our latest podcast is the first in a new mini-series where we follow a new start-up called Run Weekends, from inspiration and gestation to launch and through its first year of operation.

We track the highs and lows, the excitement and the anxiety. We find out about financing and research, marketing and cash flow. And how to manage your time, energy and expectations as the founder.

Our interviewee for this series is Nick Butter, an athlete who made a name for himself by becoming the first and only person to run a marathon in every country in the world. Following the success of this 23 month expedition, 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.

Despite his past career, Run Weekends is a new departure for Nick - and in this first episode he tells us what motivated him to create the business, how he developed the concept, what went to plan and what didn’t. He shares his key learnings about the need for self-belief, perspective and the challenge of balancing ‘work’ and ‘life’.

And equally importantly he opens up about how he’s feeling in this start-up phase - a key indicator for us all to tap into as we move through the business life-cycle.

If you know people who’d be interested in this podcast, let them know about it now!

And if you’re not already a subscriber, why not sign up?

Key links:

https://www.runweekends.com/

https://www.facebook.com/runweekends/

https://www.instagram.com/runweekends

Regular followers of the Business of Adventure will know how much importance we put on having a clear positioning strategy (knowing what you want to be famous for, and making this the driver of your decision making). In this podcast interview with climbing coach Esther Foster, we hear how her positioning has evolved, her belief in focus, and the value that’s driven in her business.

She also talks about her passions and values, and how that’s helped her find strategic direction, working with women and under-represented groups in her sport.

Plus there’s advice on outsourcing and pricing, and we discuss the value in being open to learning from others, as well as what the outdoor industry needs to do to evolve sustainably.

If you know people who’d be interested in this podcast, let them know about it now!

And if you’re not already a subscriber, why not sign up?

And if you’d like to know more about Esther and positioning strategy, check out these blog posts and links:

https://www.estherfoster.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/estherfosterclimbing

https://www.instagram.com/esther_foster/

In our second interview with the holder of the women’s Guinness World Record for the fastest cycle round the planet, we talk to Jenny Graham about

* How her career has developed since she finished the ride and how she manages her time and energy

* Her recommendations for choosing brands to work with

* Advice to adventurers starting out on building a commercial career - summed up as ‘back yourself’!

* Top tips for writing a book

* How she’s proud to be a role model for women and girls in the world of adventure

And if you need Christmas gift inspiration, we couldn’t recommend Jenny’s book, “Coffee First Then the World”, enough! Follow the links below for more info.

If you missed part 1 of our chat with Jenny, you can catch up here, and to hear the rest of our podcasts and receive every blog as it’s published, make sure you subscribe now.

Connect with Jenny:

Buy her book, Coffee First, Then the World!

https://jenny-graham.com/adventures/

https://www.instagram.com/jennygrahamis_

https://www.facebook.com/jennygrahamis

https://twitter.com/jennygrahamis?lang=en

Know anyone in an adventure or outdoor activities business who might like to listen to this episode with Jenny?