Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in traveling but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mike Shubic, Video Producer, Travel Writer & Publisher of Mike's Road Trip, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have been a professional travel blogger for over a decade and I am considered a content creator. I produce travel-related photos, videos, and articles to help promote the industry. My customers are destinations, hotels/resorts, and tour operators. I try to inspire people to see the world through my travel blog MikesRoadTrip.com, where I provide road trip guides, travel tips, reviews, and inspiration.
Tell us about yourself
Launched in early 2010, Mike's Road Trip began by chronicling my journey of how I lost my house, had to sell everything, and figured out what the next chapter of my life was going to look like. I embarked on a nomadic adventure of a lifetime—to seek new opportunities, to boldly follow a road of uncertainty. I started by just chronicling my travels to keep my friends and family up to speed on where I was, and low and behold, people started reading it. Six months later, a popular travel website named Mike's Road Trip became the best "Travel Tips" blog of 2010…many accolades have since followed. I love exploring new places and cultures and sharing my experiences with my followers; it's easy to keep motivated when you are so passionate about what you do.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
A few of my biggest accomplishments include being selected to participate in a Travel Channel show (when they actually produced travel-related content) called "Best of the Road." Publishing my book "Lines, Signs & Forks - Diary of a Nomadic Road Tripper" and winning several industry awards for my work.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Having to wear many hats. One minute you have to be the salesperson, then a marketer, and the next, you have to deal with accounting and staff. It's tough having to juggle so many tasks to keep everything moving forward.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Identify a clear target market and understand their needs: Understanding your target market and their needs is crucial to the success of any business. This will help you to create a product or service that meets those needs, which will make it more likely that you'll be able to find and retain customers.
- Develop a solid business (and marketing) plan: A business plan is a roadmap for the success of your business. It should include your goals, strategies, and financial projections, and it should be reviewed and updated regularly as your business grows.
- Be prepared to adapt and change: The business landscape is constantly changing, and in order to be successful, you'll need to be able to adapt and change with it. This means being open to new opportunities and being willing to pivot your business model if necessary.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://mikesroadtrip.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikesroadtrip/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikesroadtrip
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesroadtrip/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mikesroadtrip
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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