The conversation with Lloyd Vogel, co-founder of Garage Grown Gear, delves into the challenges and successes of running an e-commerce platform for small outdoor gear businesses. Lloyd shares insights on the state of the industry, the crossover between different outdoor disciplines, lessons learned from starting a business, and the importance of supporting small brands. The conversation also explores the process of finding and working with small brands, the impact of growth in the outdoor industry, and the strategic focus on ultralight backpacking. The podcast covers a wide range of topics related to the outdoor industry, including product innovation, market growth, the impact of outdoor activities on personal development, and the challenges of starting and running a business. The discussion also delves into the interconnectedness of various outdoor activities and the inclusive nature of the outdoor industry. This is a big episode from one of the biggest players in the cottage backpacking and thru hiking industry that also extends into FKTs, fastpacking, bikepacking, and trail running. Check out Garage Grown Gear Takeaways -Running a business involves embracing failure and challenges as an integral part of the journey. -The cottage industry is a source of innovation and creativity in the outdoor gear market. -Supporting small brands and fostering genuine relationships is crucial for sustainable growth in the e-commerce space. -Strategic focus and niche specialization are key to success in the competitive outdoor gear market. The outdoor industry is experiencing growth and innovation, with a focus on ultra-light gear and niche products. Personal experiences in outdoor activities can inspire product innovation and development within the industry. -The outdoor industry fosters a sense of community and inclusivity, with a shared passion for spending time outside. -Starting and running a business in the outdoor industry requires focus, patience, and the ability to adapt to challenges and failures. -The interconnectedness of outdoor activities highlights the similarities and shared experiences across different disciplines within the industry. Sound Bites "You can't just expect yourself to be perfect. You have to expect and know that failure and challenge is part of running a business." "The outdoor industry is having a hard time because everyone's kind of selling the same thing. It makes you generic, boring, and uninteresting." "For most of our brands, the only other place that you can buy it other than on their site directly is through us." "It's my responsibility to take those reflections and infuse them back into my other relationships." "Gear is always a reflection of the human desire to spend more time outside." Chapters 00:00 Embracing Failure and Challenges in Business 02:17 The Cottage Industry: A Source of Innovation 07:05 Fostering Genuine Relationships with Small Brands 26:22 Exploring Innovation and Growth in the Outdoor Industry 29:40 The Impact of Outdoor Activities on Product Development 41:47 Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Business in the Outdoor Industry 45:25 The Inclusivity and Interconnectedness of Outdoor Activities Buy Merch to support: https://www.freeoutside.com/shop Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside Keywords e-commerce, small businesses, outdoor gear, cottage industry, entrepreneurship, brand discovery, ultralight backpacking, growth strategy, outdoor industry, product innovation, market growth, personal development, starting a business, interconnectedness, inclusivity, backpacking, thru hiking, records, fastest known time, FKT

I answer the audience question: "I'd love to hear more about your mental health journey as an ultrarunner. This community is wonderful, but it's also cutthroat and I'd love to hear how you've navigated the ups and downs."

Send in any questions at jeff@freeoutside.com

I share my mental health journey as an ultrarunner, FKT'r, and thru hiker, discussing the struggles, experiences, and the tools to navigate the ups and downs.

I reflect on my journey from depression and loneliness to finding fulfillment through immersive experiences, therapy, and community.

The story emphasizes the importance of finding the right tools at the right time and the ongoing balance of personal and growth goals.

Takeaways

The journey through mental health is a bumpy road with ups and downs, but finding the right tools at the right time is crucial.

Immersive experiences, therapy, and community play a significant role in navigating mental health challenges and finding fulfillment.

Balancing personal goals with coaching goals and finding fulfillment through sharing and creating are essential aspects of the journey.

Recognizing the need for drastic change and stepping back to eliminate certain things in order to move forward is a crucial part of the mental health journey.

Sound Bites

"I'd love to hear more about your mental health journey as an ultrarunner. This community is wonderful, but it's also cutthroat and I'd love to hear how you've navigated the ups and downs."

"It's just as immersive. Like one goal is sitting out there. Life is so simple. You're going after this one thing. All your decisions point towards being successful."

"I knew that that was the only option at the time, and in order to move forward, I needed to step back and eliminate those things and then build back up."

Buy Merch to support: https://www.freeoutside.com/shop Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Keywords

mental health, ultrarunner, depression, immersive experiences, therapy, community, balance, coaching goals, ultrarunning, Appalachian trail, pacific crest trail, continental divide trail, Arizona trail, grand enchantment trail

I discuss Crocs, eclipses, a game called Deal or No Deal with trail running contracts, and an interview with Lil Buddha about his Pangea Traverse and bear encounters. I share share some news and experiences with crocs, including a 5k run and and Chris Howett's Guinness world record marathon.

I discuss eclipses and play a fun game with Trail Running Brand contracts. I speak to Little' Buddha about his experiences as a long-distance hiker, his identity as a Hmong American, and his efforts to raise awareness and funds for the AAPI community. He talks about insights into his family's refugee journey and the challenges of planning and executing the Pangea Traverse.

Follow Lil Buddha: https://www.instagram.com/lilbuddhahikes/?hl=en

Takeaways

• Crocs can be a source of Guiness world records especially in the marathon.
• Eclipses are a captivating natural phenomenon
• The game 'Deal or No Deal' is played with the Trail Running Industry
• Thru-hiking and hitchhiking experiences are highlighted
• The Pangea Traverse, a 16,000-mile hiking endeavor, requires meticulous planning and funding, presenting logistical and environmental challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Crocs Fascination

05:21 Passion for Eclipses and Outdoor Adventures

09:08 The Game of 'Deal or No Deal' in the Outdoor Industry

13:06 Hitchhiking, Through-Hiking, and Bear Encounters

38:04 The Pangea Traverse: Planning, Challenges, and Impact

Sound Bites

• "I wanted to be in the community and be visible, right? As a person of color, as an Asian American living in the United States, that was participating in something that for the most part, most BIPOC people are underrepresented in."
• "My family, my mom, you know, she had to escape. So my father and mother were separated during this. My father was out fighting. My mom was still in the village with my brothers and sisters and me unborn."
• "I've got three years that I could, you know, put it all into hiking. So it'll take three years to complete the 16,000 miles."

Keywords

podcast, crocs, eclipses, game, interview, Pangea Traverse, bear encounters, through-hiking, hitchhiking, marathon, world record, eclipses fascination, long-distance hiking, Hmong American, refugee journey, AAPI community, Pangea Traverse, fundraising