The goal of Hardly Hustle is to provide inspiration, drive and motivation in a 10 minute read or less. What you see is what you get. This is hot off the press without an editing team.
Tim Meyer is up.
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Tim Meyer and I am the founder and sole creator at Ski Rex Media, LLC. Ski Rex Media is a small, Vermont-based media outlet focusing on snow sports and driving the idea that these sports are for anyone and everyone.
What did it take/how did you get started?
Ski Rex Media was born from a few things. I was looking to get back into snow sports after being off skis for six years. I had just moved back to Vermont, which one would think would be enough for someone to get back into snow sports, but I wanted to make it something more than recreational.
I wanted to use snow sports as a way to make a living. I figured I could write about snow sports and my own experiences, as well as cover some news topics since I had learned a little about journalism back in school. From there I put together a website and started writing.
Then, it was suggested to me that a podcast was a great way to help drive one's name or brand. I also decided to try that, which has taken over Ski Rex Media. In fact, more folks are interested in the podcast than my written content, though I am trying to get back into writing more. The rest is history.
What does the future look like for you and your business?
Ski Rex Media has been continuing to grow over the last four years. I am now busier than I have ever been with the business and it doesn't look like it's going to be slowing down anytime soon. My plan for the future is to keep doing what I'm doing. People seem to enjoy and I want to make sure they keep enjoying it. Also, I am enjoying it and I don't want to lose that. I think that many folks get into a business like this, to be able to work in an industry that they enjoy and then it becomes just work. They lose the enjoyment and the fun. I don't want that to happen with Ski Rex Media. In fact, I want it to be more fun.
What drives / motivates you on a daily basis?
I make a lot of jokes about being a narcissist and the need for attention being the drive behind Ski Rex Media. Those are just jokes...for the most part. I do enjoy the attention and I like trying to entertain folks, but there's more to Ski Rex Media than just those things.
For me, it's partly the need to have something of my own. I worked in retail management and logistics for a long time. Though I was a manager, I still had managers above me. Sometimes more than one. I really wasn't into that anymore. I wanted something of my own. Now that I have that, I want to keep it, which is a great motivator.
Also, part of Ski Rex Media is to show that snow sports can be for everyone. That's why I'll talk to anyone and everyone on the podcast or on the ground. If I talk to anyone and everyone then I can bring content to anyone and everyone. I want folks to know that it's not just some rich person's game or that you have to fall into any of the stereotypes out there. That also helps with the educational experience. I say that I don't know and can't know everything about the snow sports industry, so I talk to folks that do.
I have interviewed mountain managers, athletes, manufacturers, artists, and just fans & friends to bring as much skiing, snowboarding, and other snow sports to as many folks as I can. That might even be the biggest motivator. To show people that snow sports are for everyone.
What advice would you give someone interested in doing what you do?
I would say that if a person wants to do something like this, make sure you are open to learning as much as possible. That's anything! If it's the tech end and you learn how to code a website or design logos...great.
If it's learning how to make contact with people you'd like to learn from or feature as part of your content...that's great, too. If it's just learning all the functions of your phone's camera...do it! Don't be afraid to learn.
What has been the hardest part of your business journey?
The hardest part has been the learning. Though I did have some education in journalism and writing from high school, as well as a little knowledge of how to code a website, I had to learn so much more about both of those and a ton of other things.
I had to learn about forming an LLC, how to contact folks for potential interviews, how to get partners and sponsors, and a lot of other things that I had no experience with at all. That's one of the reasons that I would tell folks to be open to learning as much as possible because to be successful in this business or any business, or in anything now that I think about it, you have to be open to learning as much as you can.
How have you managed burnout thus far?
The hardest part has been the learning. Though I did have some education in journalism and writing from high school, as well as a little knowledge of how to code a website, I had to learn so much more about both of those and a ton of other things. I had to learn about forming an LLC, how to contact folks for potential interviews, how to get partners and sponsors, and a lot of other things that I had no experience with at all.
That's one of the reasons that I would tell folks to be open to learning as much as possible because to be successful in this business or any business, or in anything now that I think about it, you have to be open to learning as much as you can.
What are a few resources that you'd recommend?
Gee...I'm not really sure what to recommend. I have done so much research in so many ways that I have come across a ton of helpful resources and tons that aren't so helpful.
Actually, that answer isn't so helpful, but I would tell people to research as much as they can and they'll find what you are looking for.
The STATS
List the founders
Tim Meyer
How many hours a week do you work on this hustle?
30 to 60 on average
# of Employees?
Ski Rex Media is a one-man show
When did you start?
Fall 2018
How much did it cost to launch?
I kept to below $1,000
What were your funding methods and ballpark amount raised?
I used my own money that I saved for the most part, plus one investor.
Annual revenue?
Not provided.
Projected revenue?
Not provided.
What's the #1 thing you need right now?
Equipment.
Social:
www.skirexmedia.com @skirexmedia on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin