In this episode of "Inside the Outdoors Podcast" featuring Split Reed, we get a comprehensive insight into the journey and experiences of Duncan McLeod and Taylor Dunnigan, co-owners of Split Reed, along with our special guest Johnny Mack. Here are the key points from the episode:
Backgrounds and Beginnings:
- Duncan McLeod moved from the Southeast to Colorado, chasing his dream of living outdoors. His move to Colorado and meeting with Nick Costas and Taylor Dunnigan led to the foundation of Split Reed.
Taylor Dunnigan, originally from Montana, moved to Colorado and had experience in guiding hunts. He joined Split Reed after meeting Nick on a hunt.Johnny, a self-described "adult onset hunter," shared his journey into hunting, influenced by the ethos of self-reliance and the spirit of outdoor adventures.Formation and Evolution of Split Reed:
- Initially aimed at creating a social media presence, Split Reed evolved into a larger media company focusing on storytelling in the hunting industry.
The founders recognized a gap in the hunting industry, particularly in content and media presentation, and aimed to bring innovation and quality storytelling to the space.Content Creation and Brand Building:
- The focus on quality content, authenticity in storytelling, and consistent delivery played a key role in brand development.
Engagement with brands started with working on outfitter and hunting lodge projects, eventually attracting larger brands and leading to TV production opportunities.Navigating Business Growth and Challenges:
- The team emphasized the importance of balancing passion for hunting with business responsibilities.
Addressed the challenges of creating content that is both authentic and appealing to a broad audience, avoiding staged or artificial representations.Future Aspirations and Expansion:
- Looking beyond waterfowl hunting, Split Reed is expanding its reach to other aspects of outdoor media and content creation.
The new venture, People Are Wild Co, represents this expansion, aiming to apply their successful content creation formula to a wider range of outdoor activities.Advice for New Brands in the Outdoor Space:
- Stressed the importance of brand identity, mission clarity, customer service, and innovation in product development.
Encouraged new brands to find their unique selling proposition and focus on areas where they can make a significant impact.The episode provides valuable insights into the journey of building a brand in the outdoor space, the power of storytelling and content creation, and the importance of staying true to one's passions and values in business.