Have you been dreaming of diving into a business where your passion takes the lead? It takes guts and a fearless spirit to make that leap, but the adventure is worth it. I took the plunge back in 2012, leaving a steady job in digital advertising for the call of the wild in the outdoor industry. Growing up, I was always on the water, from fishing to kayaking adventures since I was three years old. There was a restless energy inside me, unfulfilled by working behind a desk in Atlanta. I knew I wanted to do something I was truly passionate about, but I also knew it would take a leap of faith.

I leaped from Atlanta to Asheville to chase a career in the outdoor industry in one of my favorite places in the world: Western North Carolina. At that time, Legacy Paddlesports (now BIG Adventures) was relocating from Greensboro to Fletcher, and I seized the opportunity to dive in headfirst. I began by running a rotational molding oven, crafting kayaks from raw materials to finished masterpieces. It was hot and hard work, but the thrill of seeing a kayak come to life was unparalleled. From there, I ascended to a Production Supervisor, then ventured into systems work, and later, marketing. Now, here I am, going on five years as the COO at BIG Adventures, nearly twelve years to the day as I write this, having transformed my passion into a dynamic career adventure.

Here are some pieces of advice from my journey to keep in mind:

1. Don’t get discouraged. You may not start where you want to, but don’t let that dissuade you. My main goal when making the leap was not to mold kayaks but to work in a higher-level position at a paddlesports brand. If I had said no to being a molding operator, I would have missed out on critical experiences that set me up for success later on.

2. Work hard and stay focused no matter where you start in your journey. When making a leap, you have to prove yourself in a new career. Let that be a motivator. Working hard goes a long way, even while you are just learning the ropes.

3. Listen to industry experts and take advantage of every possible learning opportunity. Spend most of your time, especially early in your transition, listening and learning from others who have been in the industry longer than you. This applies both inside and outside of your organization.

4. Stay the course. There may be times during the transition that are discouraging, but know that if you put in the time, work hard, and grow your skill set, you will continue to advance in your roles.

5. Your passion will be a competitive advantage. In the corporate world, especially in the outdoor industry, there seems to be more business consolidation and acquisition by private equity groups. These groups often possess strong business acumen but lack the passion for the outdoor industry, which is critical for success. Your passion allows you to stay on top of the market and more actively connected to the community you serve through your products.

6. Don’t let day-to-day work erode your passion. Things can get very busy, and because you are passionate about what you are doing, it is easy to become overly focused. Make sure to take time to experience what initially drew you to your new career path. Proactively look at your calendar and block out time for this. It is invaluable to reset by doing what you love.

Our extraordinary team and I have built something special here at BIG Adventures, an outdoor business steeped in the thrill of paddlesports and fishing. From manufacturing some of the best kayaks in the world with our brands (Native Watercraft, Bonafide Kayaks, Liquidlogic Kayaks, and Hurricane Kayaks) right here in North Carolina to offering a vibrant marketplace both in person and online, we're all about the excitement of getting on the water. Come see us, and let us share our passion for adventure with you. And if you're contemplating that leap to a career centered around your passion… just do it.

Tyler Brown is the COO at BIG Adventures. Learn more at BIGAdventures.com.