On the first night of the conference, the Waypoint Accelerator program had six entrepreneurs present their pitches for funding in “Shark Tank” style. All of these businesses had spent time going through the mentoring program. Each business had an outdoor economy focus and was at a point of growth. To grow their businesses, they needed additional funding to reach the next level.
First of all, “Waypoint Accelerator is an outdoor entrepreneurship and innovation accelerator program for early-stage, outdoor-focused companies who have recently embarked on their journey or are still at the trailhead waiting to take the first step”.
Asheville Wellness Retreats & Tours offers services such as Guided Forest Bathing & Nature Therapy, and Fun Hiking Yoga Tours.
North Cove Leisure Club bought a golf course and had turned it into a Disc Golf (frisbee) and Pickle Ball entertainment venue.
Timber Ninja makes lightweight, carbon fiber, mobile hunting gear such as tree stands.
Urban Outdoors is an Online Media Business that offers online guides to cities across the nation.
Green Moose Fuel makes energy supplements for outdoor adventure activities.
WNC Outdoor Collective is A Gathering Place For Outdoor Makers, Retailers, Enthusiasts & Adventurers.
The reason I found this session interesting is that I have recently begun to discuss with local community and economic development leaders an idea on How to Create Weldon Into a Tourist Destination. Many of the ideas I had put on paper are some of the same things the Waypoint Accelerator is already doing. This is a model to follow.
In my search for support and ideas, I talked with Simon Jones, Founder, and President of NatureScapes, which Specializes in Nature Travel Destination Development. His business is developing a program called UPLIFT NC which has a goal to “boost tourism to rural and under-resourced communities in NC by strengthening and connecting tourism sites, services and business in targeted regions within the State. This will include natural, recreational, cultural, agricultural, culinary, built and other tourism experiences”. This too will be a model to follow.
I also met Shane Williams who is with The Small Business and Technology Development Center. While he pointed me to seek assistance with their program from their Raleigh office, we did connect on the fact that he once owned a River Rafting business. So I picked his brain as it would relate to opportunities in Weldon. And it turned out he is familiar with Weldon because he has been an instructor in a High Water Rescue Training that was held at the Weldon boat landing for first responders.
One of his suggestions, that he said would be easy to start, is a short trip tubing adventure. The entrepreneur would be able to run several trips a day doing this.
To Create Weldon into a Tourist Destination, Weldon needs to have tourism-related businesses. Think,
- Tour Guide services of
- Historic Homes
- Railroad and River History
- Fun Experiences related businesses, such as
- Ax Throwing
- A campfire and storytelling experience
- River Boat tours with storytelling
- Adventure Experiences
- Canoe, Kayak, Tubing Rental, and Guide Service
- Fishing
- Lodging
- Airbnbs
- Traditional Bed & Breakfast Inns
- Campgrounds
- Dining
- A High-End restaurant
I believe that if we as a community were to put together
- a mentoring program for these types of businesses,
- cast a vision of what we want to happen,
- with a Launch Date for several businesses to start at the same time
- make suggestions on the types of businesses that we believe will work in the area,
- seek entrepreneurs to start these businesses
- give them support with a mentoring/business incubator program,
- provide marketing support,
Weldon would be well on its way to becoming a destination where visitors will come and enjoy the area, spend money and grow our economy.
The contacts made and the ideas learned have made attending the conference invaluable in pursuing these goals. Let’s Make It Happen.