Guides Gone Wild

Whether your affinity for water involves multi-day backcountry paddling or just grabbing a cold beverage and a tube for some floating (while you watch the bald eagles and kingfishers fly by), the Northern Forest Canoe Trail has a spot for you to put in and play!

Karrie Thomas joined NFCT in 2014 and serves as the organization’s Executive Director - but that doesn’t mean she spends all of her days holed up in her corner office talking strategy and grant-writing. If you’re planning your paddle and decide to call NCFT, Karrie might just be the person who picks up the phone and gives you the inside scoop you’re looking for to help you plan a fantastic weekend or longer distance trip.

And beyond the amazing trip-planning resources they provide, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail hosts events and unique opportunities for stewardship that get paddlers of all ages out enjoying and caring for 740 miles of pristine waterways that cross the highest reaches of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

You can tap into NFCT’s endless wealth of planning resources at NorthernForestCanoeTrail.org, and make sure to follow them on Instagram  @northernforestcanoetrail.

But the fun and useful links don't stop there!:

• @PaddleNFCT on Facebook
• What NFCT co-founder Kay Henry’s been up to lately
• Lake Memphremagog (VT/Quebec)
• Mack Truax (Downriver Paddle Plan)
• Northern Forest Canoe Trail Paddlers (Facebook group)
• Waterway Stewards Program
• Northern Forest Explorers (includes info about NFCT’s new partnership with Teens to Trails)
• West Branch Penobscot and Lobster Lake
• The 90-Miler (NY/Adirondacks)
• Missisquoi Paddle-Pedal (VT)
• Packraft Maine
• Nemo BugOut
• Alite Camp Chair

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We are back with Part 3 of our Social Media Marketing Guide for Guides series - Jaimie Crawford and I are picking right up where we left off last time, and discussing how showing up on social media is basically the same lift as being a decent human and friend.

We’re also getting into community connections, collaborations, and the most important thing of all - action taking!

If you’re an aspiring, new or seasoned guide, I’d love to hear how this series landed with you, and if more topics related to growing a guide business would be of interest to you (actually, who am I kidding, I welcome feedback from anyone at any time!)

Email [email protected], contact me through the Guides Gone Wild website, or of course, send me a DM through Instagram or Facebook, my current social media channels of choice (that I'm now vowing to show up on more consistently - thanks, Jaimie!)

And finally, if you’d like Jaimie to be YOUR guide for storytelling, developing a tactical road map to achieve your specific marketing goals, or even figuring out how to be scrappy and get lots of bang for very few marketing bucks, you can connect with Jaimie on LinkedIn.

Here are some additional links to some of the resources we've mentioned throughout this series:

• Canva
• Linktr.ee
• SCORE
• Jaimie’s debut on Guides Gone Wild
• Jaimie’s LinkedIn
• Jaimie’s personal Instagram, @jaimiexplainsitall

Finally - special thanks to our title sponsor, Evans Notch Lodge!

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And we are back - welcome to the second installment of our three part Social Media Marketing Guide for Guides, featuring Jaimie Crawford. 

In Part 1, we started at the beginning, going over some foundational concepts of marketing and brand building, so if you missed that episode, you might want to go back and listen to that one first.

Today, we’ll be diving into more details, especially around that bane of many of our existences, social media. Can’t live with her sometimes, but these days it also seems like you can’t live without her, especially if you're trying to build your business presence and attract new clients online. 

But how much of her do you really have to put up with? What makes a good post? What matters more, reach or engagement? What do those terms even mean? What's the point of it all? Pull on those waders, we're going in deep today!

Here are some links to helpful resources you'll hear about throughout this series:

• Canva
• Linktr.ee
• SCORE
• Jaimie’s debut on Guides Gone Wild
• Jaimie’s LinkedIn
• Jaimie’s personal Instagram, @jaimiexplainsitall

And before we go - special thanks to our title sponsor, Evans Notch Lodge!

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Today we are kicking off a special series called 'Guides for Guides'.

This idea boinked into my brain back last year when I talked with Jaimie Crawford, one of the marketing and social media brains behind the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce’s fantastic “Hire a Guide” campaign and profiles.

Jaimie, as luck would have it, is super knowledgeable about social media marketing, and how it can be effectively applied to launch and build small businesses - and she also happens to have an affinity for working with guides and small businesses in the outdoor space. 

So Jaimie’s back, and we dorked out for a VERY LONG TIME about marketing and social media - so long that I broke this into three parts to keep it manageable for you.
 
(But you are DEFINITELY going to want to listen to them all, because whether you’re a budding guide, building a personal brand or startup, or have been running your business for years, there will be more than a few nuggets of pure gold for you in these episodes, I promise!)

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

• In Part 1, we’re going to set up the foundation of basic marketing knowledge and terminology that will lay our groundwork for the next two episodes - all about brand, storytelling, target markets, funnels, etc.
• In Part 2, we’ll be diving into social media specifically, and the role it can and should (and should not?) play in your overall marketing strategy
• Finally, Part 3 will round us out with a discussion of community building and strategic action taking

Here are some links to helpful resources you'll hear about:

• Canva
• Linktr.ee
• SCORE
• Jaimie’s debut on Guides Gone Wild
• Jaimie’s LinkedIn
• Jaimie’s personal Instagram, @jaimiexplainsitall

And before we go - special thanks to our title sponsor, Evans Notch Lodge!

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One of the things I love most about doing this podcast is the way that almost every guest seems to spiderweb into more cool connections that I get to make, and today’s another great example of that.

Last time I hit the podwaves, I encored a conversation with Heidi Myers of Rasputitsa, who also works at Sterling College, where she met the wonderful young woman I’m talking to today, Anna Dye.

Anna grew up in the outdoor industry, working at her family’s outdoor gear and apparel store in Red Lodge, Montana. But it was here in the east that she found herself in a cohort of college students hitting the road to apply their newly acquired gear repair skills to real life problems at races and festivals around northern New England.

Anna is a breath of fresh air in an often cynical world, and she shares a few tips and hacks that might just help you out in a pinch when your gear gets…..well…pinched (and damaged) in the backcountry.

Lots of links for this one!:

• @gearrepairguru on Instagram
• Heidi Myers on Guides Gone Wild
• Sterling College
• Rasputitsa
• Vermont Gear Makers Festival
• Sylvan Peak Mountain Shop (Red Lodge, MT)
• Alpine Luddites & John Campbell
• Tenacious Tape
• Seam Grip
• Smuggs Ice Bash (Smugglers Notch, VT)
• New England BKL Festival (Craftsbury, VT)
• SailRite
• Patagonia Worn Wear
• Speedy Stitcher
• BirdieBlue (the women-owned VT company Anna mentions that recycles old ski gear into new bags!)
• Kula Cloth

And for more empty landfill vibes:

• Jenna Vanni of Woods + Waters Gear Exchange in Brunswick, ME
• Emily Kirkton of GearME in Freeport, ME
• Emily McKeown of Maine GearShare
• Meg Carney, The Outdoor Minimalist

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Huge thanks for joining me today! I’ve been noticing a lot of new ears around these parts lately (plus I’m on the road and a bit time starved this week, to be honest), so I decided it was a good time to hop into the Wayback Machine and encore a conversation with one of my favorite people and one of the best connector friends this pod has ever had, Heidi Myers.

If you’ve been listening for a little bit, you’ve probably heard Heidi’s name plenty of times, because she’s connected me with a ton of fantastic women who’ve been great pod guests. Heck, just a few weeks back we had Susan Shashok of Caroline’s Dream Skincare on the pod and guess how I knew about her? Yup, that’s right, I met her at an amazing women’s bike and fly fishing event organized by none other than Heidi Myers!

Heidi is one of the founders of Rasputitsa, a spring gravel bike "race" and sufferfest for the rest of us hosted in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. This year, 2023, the event will be on Saturday, April 29th, and while the race itself has been sold out for months, it’s one of the best spectator takes and party weekends around, so don’t put those Kinco gloves away yet, you might want them for the tailgate!

Heidi also serves as the Associate Dean of Marketing and Communications for Vermont’s Sterling College, and is one of the most inspiring people - and Instagram feeds - I’ve ever encountered. She shows up like no one else, and I’m so grateful to know her.

Hop over and check out @RasputitsaDirt on Instagram or RasputitsaDirt.com and you’ll see what I mean.

I’m so excited to bump this conversation from almost two years ago, so YOU get to know Heidi Myers too - enjoy!

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If there's one thing I love almost as much as getting active outside, it’s sitting inside with a giant coffee, watching it snow and geeking out about start-uppy stuff with an outdoor industry entrepreneur (who also happens to be a woman)!

My guest today is Michelle Boyer, the founder and visionary behind Arctic Lynx Maternity Activewear, based in Portland, Maine.

Like many of us who become pregnant and retain some hope of getting outside once in a while in the Northeast, when Michelle transplanted to Maine from the south and found herself pregnant, she needed some appropriate clothing to keep her warm, dry and comfortable while she tried to stay active.

When the best she could find on offer were her husband’s old, ratty long undies, she did what any self-respecting woman would do - decided to take matters into her own hands and solve the problem!

Michelle’s scrappy journey from a law firm to the Outdoor Retailer show is what we’re talking about today - and how she’s evolving personally and professionally as she goes. Whether you’ve been pregnant, are thinking of it, or even just care one iota about your pelvic floor - and spoiler alert, you’d better care! - you’re going to want to listen all the way to the end of this one.

You can check out the Arctic Lynx Maternity capsule collection and accessories over at ArcticLynxMaternity.com, or @arcticlynxmaternity on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. 

And when you're done shopping for the mom-to-be, check out some more fun links from our conversation:

• Emily Harrington
• Maine Outdoor Brands
• (and check out MOB’s Executive Director Jenny Kordick on Guides Gone Wild!)
• Outdoor Retailer Conference
• SCORE Maine
• First Pier (Portland, ME)
• Check out the Arctic Lynx Scarf and Baby Onesie here!
• Hills & Trails (Biddeford, ME)
• @expectingpelvichealth
• LD 1357 
• Acadia Gantz, Trail Running Baby Catcher

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Today’s guest, Susan Shashok of Caroline’s Dream Handcrafted Skincare, based in Middlebury Vermont, has three big goals for 2023 - and she is already well on her way to nailing them all.

Never mind that she spent the last few months of 2022, as she puts it, in "a game show where the prizes behind doors 1, 2, and 3 all suck."

Trigger warning for this one - our conversation starts out all rainbows and flowers (or should I say herbs), talking about Susan’s fabulous natural skincare company, Caroline’s Dream. But we do take a sharp turn into some serious talk about what it’s like to be diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.

I hope you, personally, have not had to navigate this yourself or with a loved one. But if you have, I know you will relate. And if you haven’t, yet (because, let's be honest, this disease is likely to touch all of us, in some way, at some point in our lives), this is required listening.

You probably know a handful of people who should hear this conversation, so I hope you’ll share it with them. Susan and I talk about this in our conversation - the power of shared stories can not be overstated. It’s so valuable to be able to identify with others who are living the struggles that you are getting lost in. Any sliver of shared experience brings people together, and fast-tracks the ability of a community of support to coalesce around you. Sharing is caring, people!

But first things first - head over to CarolinesDream.com to load up on all the lotions and salves and creams and good vibes you need to chase winter’s dry darkness away... and if you want in on next fall’s ginkgo gambling, make sure to follow @carolinesdreamvt. (And don't forget Skijor Skowhegan - this weekend!)

A few more things to share:

• Check out Susan’s sweet ride (her delivery ebike!) and more on her YouTube channel! 
• Chamois Cream (for all the chafe!)
• Calendula Cream
• Rasputitsa (Burke, VT) - coming right up on April 29th!
• Rebecca Sperry (aka Socked In Hikes) on Guides Gone Wild

More Vertical ladies bringing the inspiration!:

• Embrace the Suck and Make Some Magic Happen with Heidi Myers
• Live a ‘No Drop’ Life with Cail Casserly
• Don’t Worry About the Game Plan with Sabra Davison
• Lean Into Your Life (AND the Downhill) with Christsonthy Drellos
• Start Your Life Again with Cori Brago
• Biking Through Loss and Building a Legacy with Sandy Noble
• Be Your Own Advocate (and Someone Else’s Too) with Jenn Minery

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We are embracing mid-winter with a giant Yeti hug again this week over here on Guides Gone Wild!

Repeat listeners will recognize one of the voices - Kristina Cannon of Main Street Skowhegan is back today with her marketing maven sidekick Mary Haley of MXH Marketing, and we are talking skijoring, and Somerset SnowFest FUN!

Equestrian skijoring is a big hit out west, but it was a novelty on the east coast when bright eyed and bushy tailed Mary Haley proposed proposed it to Main Street Skowhegan in 2018. Her proposal was initially met with blank stares, but they wound up going for it, even though none of them had heard of it before, and 2019 marked the start of what’s now the annual Skijor Skowhegan race--the first one to ever happen in Maine!

Skijor Skowhegan is an action-packed event, with tons of spectators jammed into the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds cheering on over 50 teams - each made up of one person on a horse, and the other on skis or snowboard being towed behind, as they fly at speeds up to 35 mph along a 1000-foot course, navigating gates, jumps, and collecting ring points. Yes, it’s as bonkers as it sounds.

This wild ride is coming up on February 25, 2023, but you don’t have to wait until then to sample the fun, we are talking about it today, along with all of the other super-fun offerings that make up Somerset SnowFest, which runs from February 17th - 26th. Get more details by visiting SomersetSnowfest.org, or Skijorskowhegan.org, or best of all, just listen in now!

Some more quickie links to skijoring (and skijoring-adjacent) fun!:

• Lake George Regional Park (ME)
• What is Equestrian Skijoring?
• Skijor Maine Facebook Group
• Skowhegan Outdoors
• Jim Browne Foundation
• Downhill Kayak Race
• Box Sled Derby
• IceHole World Championship 
• Bigelow Brewing
• Baxter Brewing
• Weston Woods and Waters (Madison, ME)
• Maine Grain Alliance
• Hight Family of Dealerships
• Somerset Public Health
• Somerset Woods Trustees
• Lakewood Golf Course (Madison, ME)

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Welcome to the latest Guides Gone Wild special release! Today we're hyping A Flying Flock, the intrepid all women team who’ll be layering up in their bright pink and yellow snowsuits this weekend (February 4-5, 2023) to compete in the U.S. National Toboggan Championship taking place at the Camden Snow Bowl in Camden, Maine.

The flamingos and ducks that make up this fabulous flock include five Mainers - Maile Buker, a marketing junkie from Portland; Tricia Tobey, an interior designer from Kittery Point; Marianne Naess, an aquaculturist from Cape Elizabeth; Helene Dicesare, a nurse from Arundel; and Deanna Smith, a lobster woman from Tenants Harbor - and a lone New Hampshire-ite, Lisa Teague, an interior designer from Portsmouth.

Maile, Lisa, and eventually Deanna joined me  for an impromptu chat to talk about the history of the toboggan championship; their fundraising recipients, Trekkers; and why a handful of women 'of a certain age' would decide to impersonate a pink puff pastry with yellow cream filling and take their lives into their hands hurtling down a 400’ long ice chute onto a partially frozen, rockpile strewn lake.

It’s freaking nuts, and I absolutely love it.

Whether you’re on Team Flamingo or Team Duck, you’re going to enjoy these ladies’ meteoric flight pattern.  So layer up, grab a balaclava and those cowbells, and head over to Camden Snow Bowl this weekend - the teams will be running all day on Saturday and Sunday morning in the hopes of making the finals.

Check out the schedule and get information about parking, shuttles, the bands, the fun, all the things over at camdensnowbowl.com. And I hope you’ll consider supporting Trekkers in honor of these brave ladies, you can go to @a_flying_flock on Instagram and use the link in bio to donate.

**
P.S. Maile wasn't kidding, apparently there was a flamingo-duck. And Chute Master Stuart Young has his own inspiring story!

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