Who I Work With
Balancing Mission and Margins in the Outdoor Industry
Most small business leaders I talk to got into the business to share their love of the outdoors and saw an opportunity to make outdoor experiences even better through their own experience and expertise.
I could not relate to that more.
Passion Meets Practicality
Small outdoor business leaders carry a unique kind of ambition. It’s a blend of passion and practicality—rooted in a love for the outdoors and shaped by the realities of running a business in a competitive, fast-changing market.
Many have built their companies around the belief that outdoor experiences are worth investing in, protecting, and sharing. They've spotted opportunities to do things better—designing products, services, and experiences that reflect a deep connection to the outdoor lifestyle and a commitment to quality. Strong relationships with customers and communities are at the heart of their work, where trust and word-of-mouth are essential to growth and success.
Navigating Complex Challenges
This work isn’t easy. Leading a small business means:
✔️ Managing high-stakes decisions, often with limited resources.
✔️ Wearing multiple hats—operations, marketing, logistics, customer service—often all in the same day.
✔️ Navigating seasonal demand, shifting trends, and evolving customer expectations.
✔️ Balancing margins while staying true to the mission that inspired the business in the first place.
✔️ Finding enough time to stay connected to the outdoors—not just as a business, but as a way of life.
Growth, Competition, and the Pace of Change
The outdoor industry continues to grow and evolve. More people are seeking unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences. Yet growth is unpredictable.
Markets are crowded.
Competition is strong.
Reputation is everything—and feedback, both good and bad, drives decisions and travels fast.
Staying competitive means adapting quickly, delivering quality experiences, and fostering the kind of trust that leads to strong recommendations and lasting relationships.
Where Research Fits In
This is where research becomes an essential tool. Not just for gathering information, but for reducing uncertainty and strengthening decisions in a complex, fast-changing industry.
🧭 Surface evolving customer needs—ensuring offerings stay relevant as interests, trends, and expectations shift.
🧭 Uncover patterns in feedback—highlighting what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus improvements.
🧭 Identify obstacles early—giving businesses the chance to address challenges before they affect growth, reputation, or customer relationships.
🧭 Refine experiences—from digital touchpoints to in-person interactions—so they resonate with what customers truly value.
🧭 Support sustainable growth—by strengthening customer trust, reducing risk, and ensuring decisions align with both mission and margins.
🧭 Strengthen word-of-mouth and trust—by identifying needs and challenges before issues arise, and shaping experiences that spark positive conversations and lasting connections.
In an industry where small details shape big outcomes, research helps businesses stay adaptable, reduce guesswork, and shape experiences that build lasting relationships. It’s a purposeful way to stay connected to customers, navigate change with confidence, and stay true to the mission that started it all.
A Trusted Partner in the Process
In an industry built on relationships and trust, research helps businesses stay connected—not only to customers but to the values that shaped their mission in the first place. It helps leaders anticipate what’s coming, adapt to change, and navigate complexity with confidence.
Scouted Path exists to support that process. To offer research that is efficient, actionable, and designed to help small outdoor businesses balance their mission with margins—so they can thrive in an industry where both passion and practicality matter.