Balancing business and a life outdoors
Introducing Mark Eddy: a master of working enough on his business to make it a success without killing the enjoyment of the life outdoors that energises him. (Mountain Journeys part I)
My thesaurus tells me that being business-like includes being “unemotional” and “impersonal”. Mark Eddy is a great case study that proves this doesn’t have to be so. More than that, he demonstrates that, with care, taking the business side of what you do seriously means you can do more of what you like outdoors without losing the ability to be personable and approachable with your customers.
The details are in subsequent articles (scroll down the page for links), but to us there are lessons to be learned from the way Mark has made it easy for clients to choose (and buy) different activities with Mountain Journeys. Just as important is the way he finds different ways to let people know Mountain Journeys exists and keeps an eye on what works and what doesn’t.
Adventure days for families and friends
Mark runs Mountain Journeys, a guiding business that specialises in helping family, friends and couples enjoy mountain adventure days in both the Lakes and Spain. He makes it easy for groups to identify and enjoy a range of activities from guided walks through canyoning to climbing and navigation skill development. In a smart twist, he takes the same clients to Spain in the winter months to enjoy such activities in the beautiful mountains and valleys of Costa Blanca.
What stands out from speaking to Mark is the enjoyment he takes from ensuring clients have an enjoyable time themselves. This is borne out by reviews on TripAdvisor such as:
“I must thank you specifically for your patience, professionalism and encouragement - I have a massive sense of achievement today thanks to you”
“Mark made the whole experience fun, whilst also keeping us safe. Mark was also very patient helping my nervous son with a couple of the higher jumps.”
Mark and his partner Kate Ayres are primarily climbers, holding Mountain Training qualifications as both Mountain Leaders and a Climbing Instructors. When not guiding people in the hills or running their B&B, they can occasionally be spotted on their road bikes.
More from Mark: (subscribe below and we’ll send you an email when each article is live)
1. A better way of doing things
Learning from the way Mark has grown his business over the last decade or so.
2. Three wishes
What we can learn from Mark’s three wishes.
Related links:
https://www.mountain-journeys.co.uk/
https://www.cicerone.co.uk/costa-blanca-mountain-adventures
https://www.facebook.com/mountainjourneys.co.uk/