Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alastair Dixon, founder and CEO of Trail and Kale, located in San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Trail & Kale is an online publisher - we write outdoor gear reviews & buyer's guides and help people learn more about outdoor activities, including trail running, hiking, camping, backpacking, and skiing. We also review the latest adventure dog gear, share our DIY camper van adventures, and offer tips on living a healthy, plant-based lifestyle.
Tell us about yourself
I used to work in the advertising industry as a CGI / Visual Effects lighting supervisor and absolutely loved my job, but I always had so many of my own ideas for starting a business of my own. I just knew I had to give being an entrepreneur a go! I've never looked back - it just suits me and my lifestyle so well.
It wasn't until I discovered trail running and mountain adventures that I finally realized that this was the passion that I was going to turn into my own lifestyle business. It's our blog readers who motivate me to keep writing top-quality content. I also love keeping myself up to date with all the amazing products and services that our brand partners release. Writing outdoor gear reviews is a huge part of what we do at Trail & Kale.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment was believing in myself from the start.
To be honest, I've put so much work into building Trail & Kale to become the big publishing platform that it is today, but along the way (especially in the early days), there have been plenty of ups and downs (mostly downs) - but I believed in myself, knowing that fortune favors the bold, and if you keep doing what you're passionate about - you can't fail.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Wearing all the different hats that are necessary to operate my business. One day I'm a web developer, the next, I'm a photographer, a writer, a social media marketer, etc... you get the point. Wait, scratch that - I do all those things in a single day ;)
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure your niche (or product) is actually related to your passion - that way, you can't fail because you'll always be willing to learn about your field and grow as a specialist in the niche!
- Never give up! Most people will give up early on, but the true entrepreneurs keep going no matter how hard things may get.
- Keep investing back into your business to keep it growing. This includes things like bringing in people to relieve you of your workload so you can be put to better use doing something else on your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.trailandkale.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailandkale/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alidixon/
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3lfUn0E
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur 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.
