I don’t know when it happened but I think it was always part of who I am. One of my first ventures was in kindergarten. A friend and I went around her neighborhood, picking people’s flowers, smashing them down with rocks, adding water and this “potion” to jars and labeling it perfume. We probably would have gotten away with it but we tried to sell it to all the folks whose flowers we had stolen. Whoops! There were many ventures that followed so it seemed fitting to start a business in my young adulthood once I moved to Park City.
I moved here in 2001 and initially did the typical 3-4 jobs to make it work. In October of 2003, I came down the stairs and said to my roommates Jaimie and Meg, “Hey, I’m going to start a guided snowshoe hiking business.” They were nothing short of encouraging. Shortly thereafter, boxes of snowshoes arrived on our doorstep. Ok, now what? I got a business license and liability insurance. I was ready for action!
Next step: ADVERTISING! Keep in mind this was before the internet was really born and things were very different “back then.” So, I made a word document, similar to if you were selling a bike or other item. Makes sense, right? It had all the necessary information about what I was offering – a one of a kind mountain experience in our own backyard! It also had little pull tags on the bottom with my name and phone number so folks could get ahold of me.
I think that first winter season I had 2-3 tours in total. All I could think was IT’S WORKING!!!
After that first season one of my friends (who is a graphic designed and web designer) pulled me aside and said something like this… “Alisha, this is cute and all BUT, you need a logo, a website, a brochure, and you need to join the chamber.” Hmmmm, those see to be good ideas. Let’s go for it.
Many, many moons later, here I am. I’m celebrating 20 years of doing what I love. There have been some hiccups along the way and many learning experiences. I have some clients that have been with me for 15 years which says a lot. Nature to me is one of those places where it doesn’t matter what you do, how much money you make, what’s happened to you in the past and where you’re headed in the future. Nature is a space which welcomes all and has something to offer for everyone. I love introducing people to that space. I strive to create a comfortable and safe environment for people to have whatever type of experience they need. I have had wonderful conversations with folks, many breakthroughs, some tears, lots of laughs and many amazing memories that we’ve made over the years. Thousands of miles later and thousands of clients later I am not slowing down. I will continue to do this for as long as my body allows. I could not have imaged a better career for myself or a better life which I have created. I am forever grateful.
*The photo is a total throwback that a client took of me. She used an actual camera with FILM! Remember those days???
