I have decided that I would like to share my knowledge and experiences with everyone on what it is to be a business owner in the eco tourism industry and my experience in the outdoors. My blog will pull directly from my experiences in South Florida and the Keys as well is what is happening around the world and how it is all connected and effects the small business world in tourism.
Why am I qualified to impart my knowledge to you? Because you’re still reading. Haha, but seriously, I own Blue Moon Outdoor Adventures in Fort Lauderdale and Blue Moon Kayak Key West and just started a new venture with the South Florida Renaissance Festival in Deerfield as well. This blog will be a tool for me as well… feedback, brainstorming, problem solving with the online world. Everyone has a different point of view. So as I bring my stories and experiences to you feel free to comment, suggest, disagree or agree with what I have to share.
Okay well here we go! Some topics I will be exploring in the next few months could be business or eco tourism related such as:
How to start a business in eco tourism Kids and Kayaking Watersports for Fitness Identifying local Fish & Fauna of Florida Towing Family Vacations Be one with your travelers Where does all the energy come from Water Quality Different type of travelers Staffing Daily concerns – weather Tour research and continuing education Safety for your staff and guests Working with Concierge Non profit partnerships Staying involved locally What is healthy Competition
Anything not on the list? Well I am sure it will continue to grow, but feel free to suggest other topics you would like to read about in the future.
First ask yourself, why do you want to start an eco tourism business?
From what I have experienced people in my industry, who are success, have a passion for what they do. Do you have that passion? Do you want to share that passion with someone else? If not maybe rethink this industry.
Customers and guests who come in search of an eco tour are typically someone in the know or want to know more about the environment. And hot topics they might bring up could be global warming, plastics and recycling and then specifically in Florida, the reef systems dying and algea blooms that are affecting our eco systems. As an individual you have to take this passion on yourself spending time learning and engaging and volunteering towards those same efforts you want to use your business to educate others about. Most often someone hits a question or a topic that I jump in on and dive deep in explanations and research going on in different organizations. I spending time volunteering for groups like Reef Relief, Paddle with a Purpose, Surfrider and others. Most often guests would have been happy with the simple yes made up answer that many uneducated tour guides give like… “Yeah sure, global warming is hurting our reefs…. Look at that tree!” Well why? No one else gives them the why unless they have that passion and have done that same research themselves.
I pride myself in oozing that passion to all my guests and my staffs. Sharing passion is lighting a fire for change and that is what eco tourism should do. Every guest should leave invigorated and have an idea on what small impact they can have either on their trip or when they return home and keep that fire burning. If you don’t continuously find yourself engaged and wanting to learn more how can you expect to be able share and educate your customers and inspire them to do the same?
So how do you start an eco tourism business? Find that fire! Then we can talk all about the nitty gritty business stuff.
You tell me. I am here for you. They say even as a business owner you still have someone to report to and yes that would mean YOU! Often I am envied by friends because I am my own boss. They have a misconception no one can see your failures or criticize you. Wrong. Everyday you have a boss telling you exactly how something should be done and when it should be done, your client or customer. New deadlines, new projects, new failures everyday. So the difference of being an owner versus working for the corporate world is being comfortable with change, because everyday you have a new boss and you never get a second chance for a do-over after that first failure. So instead I am my own hero not boss, I save the day.
So Boss, check out the poll below. I listed a few topics that I would like to share with you. Let me know what you want to read about next so I can keep you around just a bit longer….
I grew up in Vienna, Virginia and started my love for the outdoors and waterways at a very young age. I grew up at the beach on the weekends as a baby; my family owned a a boat with our neighbors that we rode often on the Potomac; I traveled to South Carolina to visit with my Grandma where my sister and I took Kayak lessons and went white water rafting; As a family we often traveled to the Caribbean and Bahamas for all kinds of water adventures.
When I could start making my own decisions, like where to work, my first job was with Atlantic Kayak Co in Alexandria, VA and Fort Washington, MD where I had the opportunity to experience all different styles of kayaks for different types of excursions, weather, and skill levels. I began to outfit people who were avid kayakers or just starting their journey to a new hobby. I myself was learning more everyday and eventually became a lead guide in the summers for the company when I was only 16.
During the school year I was a competitive athlete. I was a rower for my high school as well on the Tennis team… Now here’s a curve ball to my background I am also a professional musician. I grew up playing Violin and French Horn. So when I wasn’t at work, or team practice I was in rehearsal somewhere. So if I am not outside, you may hear me comment on my music or hear about me discuss the rhythm of the water and the waves when I am outside. There is sound in nature and it is beautiful.
So at a very young age, with a very busy and demanding schedule, that I made for myself – my parents never forced me only encouraged my young ambitious self, time management is key. Now when you are really good at time management you also become very good at procrastination or working well under pressure. But that’s a story for another time…
Let’s fast forward a bit… You got the start of my Kayaking adventures.. well how did I get to Florida?
After Rowing DI at George Mason University and getting my BA in Music, I made the decision to go for a Masters and chose the University of Miami for my future! In 2011 I graduated with my Master’s of Science in Education for Sport Administration. At first I thought I would go into a full time collegiate coaching career, but Florida stole my heart and I haven’t left.
In 2011, I started working for the company I now own, Blue Moon Outdoor Center in North Miami FL. I worked as a guide and in corporate sales building up customers to do corporate teambuilding and monthly events. Eventually I was encouraged by several people who were close in my life that I needed a “Big Girl Job”…. So I applied, and applied and applied and applied…. finally got a snag. FedEx.
I left Blue Moon, temporarily, not even really, I still helped with events on the side, but now my blood was running Orange and Purple. FedEx gave me a ton of knowledge in working with different industries, learning about decision makers, different ways to penetrate clients, working with peers, fostering healthy competition, and how to keep moving up in the world. I worked there until I didn’t. Haha 3.5 good years with them was invaluable but I was ready to go back to the small business world. Corporate life was difficult for me. I wanted to help everyone, operations, sales, marketing… but in the corporate world your job is what you’re hired for and you need to stay in your corner.
I ended up working for two small software companies after that building up sales teams in different industries and building sales handbooks and helping people with cold calling over the phone to face to face sales presentations with enterprise level customers. I was so efficient at these companies, I started making my way back to the water.
In 2017, the previous owner of Blue Moon and I partnered up and went after the City of Fort Lauderdale to reestablish the Blue Moon name and business in Broward County.
And so the adventure has continued over the past 2.5 years and will continue to do so…
Follow my blog here to understand how we got that contract and what it entails to work with a City and how I have grown the business since then.
Sunshine, Rainbows and a Crack of Lightning 