We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shawn Gossman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shawn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
In my late 20s, I realized my health was significantly taking a drop in life. I knew I would live long if I continued living as I was. I smoked two packs a day. I drank like a fish. I ate fast food every night. I didn’t exercise. I was lonely. I was depressed.
Then something in me made me want to change. I tried going to the gym, but it was too hard for me. When I was going to give up, a friend suggested I try cycling. So, I bought a bike and fell in love with cycling.
Cycling eventually led me to hike because I’d see a trail on my routine bike ride. I checked the trail out and fell in love with hiking.
I started videoing my hikes and uploading them on YouTube just for fun. It turned into something bigger. Six years later (now), I am actively involved in local tourism and outdoor recreation. My hiking hobby has turned into a profit-earning business. I’m an influencer and somewhat famous in my local area.
I quit all my nasty habits and don’t live alone anymore. I live with my girlfriend, who was a fan. Hiking led me to the girl of my dreams. That’s my origin story.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I got into my line of business because of my passion for hiking, outdoor recreation, and local tourism.
Most of what I provide is free through media and entertainment products such as videos, photos, and local hiking guides. I also post a blog every single day.
I do sell merchandise branded around Hiking with Shawn, perform paid public speaking events, and provide guided hiking and itinerary planning services in southern Illinois.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
When I first started uploading videos on YouTube, I did it for fun. I never expected thousands of people to follow me.
One day I got an email from a viewer. She told me she grew up in an area I made a hiking video of. She told me she thought she had lost those memories until she watched my video. She told me I brought back memories to her and that she was very grateful.
That’s the very moment Hiking with Shawn became serious.
I’ve had many emails and messages just like that in the six years this has been going.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
In all honestly, I worked overtime for most of my startup costs. I bought nice video cameras and editing equipment. I bought a domain name and trademarked my brand name. I spent money that I worked for.
I always had profit earning in mind once I registered my brand as a business.
I created a 5-year strategic plan. Year 5 was about monetizing, and now I’m making enough where it is a supplemental income.
But it’s also led to other opportunities. I’m trying to start a business where I create content and provide digital marketing services for outdoor recreation brands and businesses specifically.
You have to work hard to get a business going, but it’s a lot easier now in 2023 than it was 2- to 30 years ago. Anyone can do it now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hikingwithshawn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingwithshawn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hikingwithshawn/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hikingwithshawn/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hikingwithshawn/
Image Credits
Hiking with Shawn