Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Roger Bowles, Owner of Texas Dirt 2 Adventure Training, located in Clifton, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We provide basic dirt bike training and basic adventure motorcycle training to riders new to off-road riding. The primary dirtbike school is for riders from 6 and up. Adventure motorcycle training is for riders with a motorcycle license but limited or no experience off-road. We also offer the "Dirt Dobbies" experience for young riders ages 4–6 on the Yamaha PW-50. This is a 2-hour course on a small training dirt bike.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a long-time street motorcycle coach, a lifetime motorcycle rider, and a full-time instructor at a technical college in Texas. My motorcycle business has grown over the years from working for other companies such as Harley Davidson teaching the introductory street rider course (which I still teach on occasional weekends) to opening a part-time business teaching an intermediate street-riding course and the dirt bike course.
This was/is Better Rider Motorcycle Training. Texas Dirt 2 Adventure Training spun off the Better Rider Motorcycle Training company because of the increased demand for dirt bike and Adventure Motorcycle Training.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been purchasing my property to do this training in Jonesboro, Texas. In the past, I had to pay other landowners to use their property for the training. Now, I have 9.25 acres of my own, which is used almost every weekend.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Right now, it is the only instructor. I am the sole instructor in the business, and I desperately need to find another qualified instructor; the qualification process is expensive and intimidating.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure it is something you like to do.
- Be ready to struggle while investing in the business for the first few years.
- Network and ask questions.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://texasdirt2adventure.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dirt2ADVTraining/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerbowles/
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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