Great outdoor, high energy, and best experience - Sunny Cove Kayaking

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in travel & tours, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephanie Millane, owner of Sunny Cove Kayaking, based in Seward, Alaska USA.

Tell us all about your business...

We lead people into wild places while sea kayaking at Kenai Fjords National Park, Fox Island, and Resurrection Bay.

What's your background and motivation to get into the solopreneur life?

I began working for Sunny Cove Kayaking in 2006 as a guide and trip coordinator. I immediately fell in love with Seward and knew I'd make Seward my full-time home one day.

Over the years I worked my way up into Operations Manager and started having the conversation of purchasing the company from the previous owner.

I finally purchased Sunny Cove Kayaking in October of 2019, just months before the COVID pandemic began.

I love the community of Seward and I enjoy bringing people from all over the world to explore our wild places. I also really enjoy being a part of the Sunny Cove community that is created by my staff.

As a business owner, what does success ultimately mean to you?

Making it through the pandemic, hands down. The travel and tourism industry was decimated by the pandemic.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Finding time for self-care and play. Owning a business is very time and energy-consuming.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a business today?

Dream big, have confidence in yourself and your idea, and don't listen to the naysayers.

What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?

I maintain a schedule every day, and I make a point to work out every morning. During the season I'm often working every day, but during the offseason, I try to schedule myself off for weekends to get out and adventure.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I am a graduate of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program National Cohort 13. I am also a board member of the Seward Chamber of Commerce.

Where can people find you online?

Website: https://www.sunnycove.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayakalaska
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunny-cove-sea-kayaking/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alaskakayak/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnycovekayaking?

If you like what you've read here and have your own solopreneur story that you'd like to share then email community@subkit.com, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.