We all start somewhere, and the first step is often the hardest. After researching hundreds of articles and books on how to start an Adventure business, we’ve distilled our findings into 10 helpful tips that can help you get off the ground with little effort or money.
Be clear on your goal
You may have a million great ideas for a business, but if you don’t know where to start, you’ll get nowhere. For your adventure-based business to be successful, you need to know what you want.
You need to know where you want to go and how you want to get there. That doesn’t mean you need to pin down every last detail of your business plan, but it does mean you have to have a crystal clear idea of what you want to do. That will help you focus your efforts and avoid potential pitfalls along the way.
Set a deadline
You’re probably not the only person with a great idea for a business. That’s part of why starting an adventure-based business can be so popular you’re not the only one who sees a market for it. That said, you may be one of the few who actually follow through.
If everyone else thought of the same idea, it would have already been implemented. Setting a deadline can help you avoid ideas that may have been great in theory, but are never going to be successful. It can also help you avoid those ideas that are great in theory but will probably fail because of a lack of resources, or because you’re too early or too late to the market.
Setting a deadline will also help you avoid those ideas that are great in theory but which are too expensive, or don’t make sense on a business level.
Make it a habit
You don’t just want to think about your adventure business; you want to make it a habit. That might sound simple, but it can be tough to find time for a new business in addition to all your regular obligations.
If you have a day job or responsibilities that require your time, it’s going to be tough to find time to devote to your new venture. That’s why it’s important to make your new business a habit. Set aside time each day (or every other day, or whatever works best for you) to do your project management, marketing, and planning.
This way, you’re not committing time to your adventure business unless you’re also committing time to your regular responsibilities.
Play to your strengths
Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Many people come up with business ideas based on their passion for a certain activity; however, they don’t have the skills to run a business off that passion. For example, someone who loves backpacking may want to start a company that rents packs and gear to hikers.
That’s a great idea, but they’re not a backpacking company. They also may not have the skills or contacts to make that idea a reality. To help avoid these problems, it’s important to play to your strengths. If you love marketing, you may find that marketing your idea is easier than marketing your passion.
If you have no idea how to build a website or sell products, you might find that outsourcing that part of your business is easier than trying to learn those skills yourself.
Don’t focus on finances right away
Many people start their adventure business with the goal of making money but don’t even bother with a business plan or any other kind of preparation for that until they have some money in their pocket. While this is fine for a short-term project (like a side project or a short experiment), it’s not a sustainable long-term business model.
If you want to start an adventure business you need to be prepared. You need to have a business plan, a budget, and an idea of how you’re going to make money. You can’t just jump into a business without having all the pieces come into place.
Be flexible
No two ventures are the same, and no two businesses are going to be successful in running the same way. You can’t expect every new venture you try to follow a one-size-fits-all model. That doesn’t mean you need to change your business concept every time you meet a setback; instead, change the way you’re running the business.
If you’re trying to sell backpacks and the market doesn’t seem to exist, change your marketing focus. If you’re selling an item that no one wants to buy, change your product. Be flexible and you’ll be more likely to succeed.
Get some help and advice
There are a million ways to start an adventure business, and many of them may work for you. However, there are a few that are more likely to succeed. Starting a business based on passion and guided by rules that work for you is the best way to start an adventure-based business.
It will probably work better if you hire out some of the less-interesting aspects of starting a business. There are plenty of ways to spend your money on the business side of things, and some are likely to be more successful than others.
If you’re not sure where to start, it’s better to take some money from your pocket than to run out of ideas. There are plenty of books and websites that can help you with business planning, and hiring out work for some of the more mechanical parts of starting a new venture can be a great way to get started.
Take a break
If you want to start an adventure business, you probably do as well. Sometimes, though, you need to take a break so you can come back to it with fresh eyes. If you’ve been working hard on your venture, it’s likely you’ve been burned out.
You need a break before you can come back and approach your venture with the same energy and enthusiasm you had when you started it. It’s important to take regular breaks from your venture. You can’t expect to work on a new business 24/7.
You need time off for meals and for sleep, the time when you can unwind and enjoy other activities. You need time away from your business, so you can come back to it with fresh eyes and a new perspective.
Wrapping up
Starting an adventure business takes a bit of work and a fair amount of luck. That said, if you have a passion for adventure and enjoy the work, it can be a rewarding venture. If you approach your adventure business with passion and a flexible mindset, you can have a successful venture that brings you joy.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to be an expert in a specific field to start an adventure business — you just need to have an idea and a willingness to work hard. With these tips, you can get started on your adventure-based business journey.
