Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Annika Mang, co-founder of TrailCollectiv, located in Regina, SK, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

TrailCollectiv was founded by two moms, Annika (@borntobeadventurous) and Jess (@jesscsproat), to help break down the barriers families face when trying to find a hike to do as a family. Launching in June 2022, TrailCollectiv provides families with detailed hiking trails and safety information in a clean and easy-to-use app. That way, families can spend more time exploring and connecting outside together.

Tell us about yourself

I am an advocate for the outdoors and all the benefits of getting outside. The outdoors has so many benefits, including reducing stress, building connections, improving physical health, lowering blood pressure, and improving overall mood. There are barriers to families getting outside and exploring places together. Sometimes the barriers are so big that it prevents them from even going. I am motivated to empower families to get outside together to enjoy those benefits by providing them with a tool to help them connect outside.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Ask me in a month, and it will be launching the app TrailCollectiv. Self-publishing a hiking guide called Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies has been my biggest accomplishment as a business owner. Self-publishing the book was so hard, but I learned a lot, and it was incredibly rewarding. Since publishing that book, I have sold over 1500 copies.

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

It is hard to name just one thing that is the hardest. This journey to create and launch an app has been really hard. Harder than publishing my book. There were many times when it looked pretty bleak and that we were facing a challenge we couldn't overcome. Then there is juggling family and work. My kids and family will always be number one in my life, but sometimes work has to be done. I wish I could say I have it figured out, but I am still working on finding a balance between work, family life, and my own personal self-care.

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

  1. Run some customer discovery before starting your business. That way, you can craft the best business idea for your ideal customer.
  2. There is always work to be done. Carve out space for your loved ones, for fun, and make sure to get outside for your mental health. Only 200 minutes a week is all you need to make a huge difference.
  3. Do not sleep with a phone or computer beside your bed. Your sleep will suffer.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

TrailCollectiv app launches in a month! Subscribe to our waitlist so that you can be the first to check it out. https://mailchi.mp/dfdb8726c16b/ndef5eruju

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.trailcollectiv.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrailCollectiv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailcollectiv/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annika-mang-5a3835122/

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.