Outdoor States Podcast Drew Simmons, Pale Morning Media

Roads Rivers Trails is a leading edge specialty outdoor shop in Milford, Ohio, whose commitment to community is carrying them through the pandemic shutdown. RRT is both supporting their business neighbors (by helping found a community hub at milford-strong.com) as well as engaging current and NEW customers through lighthearted social media engagements like virtual happy hours, trivia nights, zoom presentations and even a date night. “The lasting relationships we are building through this has been amazing. Any relief we can be that reminds you of favorite moments … that’s really what we’re trying to do.” 

https://www.roadsriversandtrails.com/

#Smallwins

#indieretail

Ramsey Outdoors is a 67-year old outdoor store with two storefronts in New Jersey, a refreshingly outdoorsy location amidst one of the nation’s larger urban areas. Despite the stores being closed for normal walk-in business, Stuart Levine and his team have bolstered their e-commerce abilities with the addition of live chat and expert advice. As his stores began to reach out more online, Levine has noted a distinct traffic bump not just in usual local customers but also in people from throughout the country who are embracing the idea of “If you can’t shop local, shop small”.  “People just want to help out,” says Levine. “Obviously, we’re getting more from the northeast, but we are definitely getting sales from the rest of the country.”

https://ramseyoutdoor.com/

#Smallwins

#indieretail

Jesse Brown’s Outdoors, an independent specialty outdoor retailer in Charlotte, NC, is officially closed. But to stay busy, stay connected and stay relevant during this pandemic spring, the store’s owners have honed in on a new tactic, Facebook Live daily sales. Scheduled three times a day (11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm), the sales are not only showing the store's personality as well as the personality of their product … They’re also creating revenue. The new tactic is a true learning experience, but a positive one. "We have called this ‘falling forward’,” said Bill Bartee of Jesse Brown’s. “It is by no means a normal work day or a normal work week, but it’s something. And we’ve had successful days.”

This the first podcast in a series of interviews with specialty outdoor retailers about some small successes they’re having in the midst of great challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. #BigPivot #SmallWins #GrassrootsOutdoorAlliance

https://jessebrowns.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JesseBrownsCLT/

LINK: all episodes, Outdoor States podcast

Theme music by Chicky Stoltz
This the first podcast in a series of specialty retailer interviews about some of the small successes they’re having in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. #BigPivot #SmallWins #GrassrootsOutdoorAlliance

https://jessebrowns.com/
https://www.facebook.com/JesseBrownsCLT/

DPS Skis, an innovative ski manufacturer in Salt Lake City, is leading a team effort of outdoor companies to make and distribute medical grade face shields. With the support of Petzl, Goal Zero and Eastman, the DPS team of engineers and hardcore skiers have found a new passion in the national effort to protect frontline health care workers.
This is the FOURTH in a series of podcast interviews with small outdoor industry manufacturers who are pivoting to stay open, to stay busy and to join the effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
LINK: DPS Skis
LINK: Outdoor States series / “The Big Pivot”
Theme music by Chicky Stoltz

Up until a couple months ago, Sam Hooper was overseeing ‘normal business’ at Vermont Glove, a family-owned work glove manufacturer in the rising outdoor town of Randolph, Vermont. With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Sam and his operation made the big pivot to start building protective masks for front-line healthcare workers. As orders poured in, the Vermont Glove team created a statewide network of 80 sewing enthusiasts to help fill the rising demand.  

Gina Thorsen is the president of Stormy Kromer, an iconic hat and apparel manufacturer in Ironwood, Michigan. Like many manufacturers who were shuttered by “shelter at home” orders, Stormy Kromer had halted production a few weeks ago. But then, the phone began to ring with requests from hospitals and medical facilities in dire need of personal protective equipment (PPE).