JOIN US IRL: www.instagram.com/wisemillennial
Tracy Komlos and Aimee Greenacre, Co-Founders of "LA Hike Club", sit down to discuss their journey creating a community with over 900+ members (and growing!) exclusively through word of mouth. We also discuss why having a barrier to entry is a good thing (hint: better group energy), how do you build a culture that people want to be a part of? Tips on how to create a community, fear of failure vs. fear of success, when does a side project turns into a full time business?, avoiding burnout, worldwide expansion, the importance of having a morning routine!
SOME OF TRACY AND AIMEE’S FAVORITE HIKES:
Temescal, Westridge Trail, Los Lionnes, Pasa nuermas, Will Rodgers, Murphy’s Ranch trail
LEARN ABOUT LA_Hike Club: https://www.instagram.com/la_hikeclub/
JOIN THEIR TELEGRAM GROUP: https://t.me/joinchat/1gZvzllfQ6M1NzBh
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
- Did you guys meet while you were both attending University of South Wales in Sydney? Tell us briefly about your journey to LA Hike Club and collaborating together.
- This to me is about so much more than hiking. Hiking is easy. What’s more interesting is how do you build a culture that people want to be a part of? The importance of having consistency, even when no one initially shows up. Everyone has to start from the ground floor so to speak. I’d love for you to share with listeners some insights into key lessons you’ve learned about building a community, managing a community. It takes a lot of work.
- A lot of people don’t start things or take initiative because they either fear failure, or actually fear success. I’m curious if you’ve ever felt that way, and how did overcome that? What advice can you give to others?
- As you grow, how do you make sure that new people feel welcomed? Is that important? Are people nervous or self-conscious about their own level of fitness when they show?
- How do you create a community that doesn’t feel cliquey, and is inclusive? Hiking requires a certain level of fitness, so it probably attracts people who are into wellness, or aspiring to increase their level of fitness. As you grow, how do you make sure that new people feel welcomed? Is that important? Are people nervous or self-conscious about their own level of fitness when they show?
- What are your goals for LA Hike Club? After what # of members do you feel the need to monetize? What if you wake up and tomorrow you have 20,000 members in your telegram group?
- Conversely though, how do you avoid burnout?
- What is something you wish you had known or that someone would have told you 5 years ago that would have made life so much easier? How can people learn more about LA Hike Club and get involved?
