Business Ventures

(I kinda hate LinkedIn – so I figure I would just list my things here, lol)

Beano Co.

Beano Co. was essentially a formal way for my dad to pay me as a contractor for landscaping work. Named after my first truck, the “Beano Express” (a 1994 Ford Ranger in seafoam green, reminiscent of a Beano bottle), this venture didn’t have a lasting impact on my entrepreneurial journey but served its purpose at the time.

• Lesson Learned: Importance of formalizing work arrangements even for simple tasks.

Provo Peddlers

Provo Peddlers began as a way to give away refurbished bikes to student friends. We managed to build a relationship with BYU police, who would give us impounded bikes that we fixed up and redistributed. It was a fun and fulfilling experience, even leading us to secure an abandoned warehouse for storage. Though my involvement waned as the project became more official, it was rewarding to see its evolution.

• Lesson Learned: Building partnerships and community engagement can greatly expand the impact of a project.

Bearries Furniture

Bearries Furniture focused on creating furniture from pallets. While Jay was the driving force, I played a role in getting our first clients. This project taught me the difficulty of securing initial customers and the importance of perseverance.

• Lesson Learned: The hardest part of a new venture is often securing the first clients.

Real Guy Rides

Real Guy Rides was a concept company aimed at building a mountain biking community, a vision that predated the rise of platforms like Strava. Though we didn’t have the bandwidth to fully pursue it, the idea was exciting and had great potential.

• Lesson Learned: Great ideas require commitment and resources to come to fruition.

Ballerado

Inspired by a similar successful project in Idaho, Zach Holub and I created Ballerado to print and sell shirts featuring a Colorado topographic map logo. We consigned our products to local shops and enjoyed the process, which also helped hone my entrepreneurial skills.

• Lesson Learned: Direct sales and consignment can be effective methods for small-scale product distribution.

Dar Yazikov

Dar Yazikov aimed to connect native English-speaking return missionaries with corporate Russians for language lessons. Inspired by my own experiences teaching English in Russia, the project had high potential but fizzled out as personal life events took precedence. Reviving it could be interesting, though current geopolitical situations make it unlikely.

• Lesson Learned: Timing and personal circumstances greatly influence the sustainability of a business.

Our Vie Adventures

Our Vie Adventures was born from a desire to embark on a National Park 100-year anniversary tour. This venture aligned perfectly with brand goals at the time, allowing us to secure sponsorships and fund our adventure. The influencer business we built still brings in side income and has taught us a lot about pitching and collaborating with brands.

• Lesson Learned: Aligning personal goals with market trends can open up unique opportunities.

Sponsorship Secrets

We created Sponsorship Secrets to share the knowledge we’d gained from pitching to brands. Though we sold a handful of courses, the project eventually fizzled out. It was a fun and educational experience, and I would consider doing something similar again.

• Lesson Learned: Sharing expertise through online courses can be a valuable revenue stream, even if short-lived.

Our Vie Tours

Hosting trips to Bali and Thailand through Our Vie Tours (not a real name, we didn’t really have a name TBH) was incredibly fun. We made great friends and saw beautiful places. While managing tours had its risks, particularly concerning travel insurance and safety, the experience was rewarding and memorable.

• Lesson Learned: Travel ventures require careful risk management and planning but can be highly rewarding.

Kitten’s Quest

Kitten’s Quest, a self-published kids’ book about a kitty visiting national parks, was inspired by our adventures and desire to create lasting memories. Running a successful Kickstarter campaign and managing the fulfillment of orders was challenging but ultimately rewarding. The book continues to sell, and getting it on Amazon is a future goal.

• Lesson Learned: Crowdfunding can be an effective way to launch creative projects, but managing fulfillment is crucial.

Starmix Stuff

Starmix Stuff, a dropshipping company started in Bali, was a challenging venture. We underestimated the effort needed to source and sell products, and our lack of commitment made it difficult to succeed. However, it was a valuable learning experience.

• Lesson Learned: Dropshipping requires a strong commitment and understanding of the market to be successful.

Fudi

Fudi aimed to streamline the process of restaurant collaborations for influencers. While the pandemic made it difficult for restaurant tech, and selling to both small businesses and chains was challenging, it was a fun and educational venture. Eventually selling the platform on eBay was a unique experience that led us back to Utah, which we now love.

• Lesson Learned: Flexibility and resilience are key in navigating business challenges, especially in unpredictable markets.

Homeless Coloring Book

The Homeless Coloring Book project aimed to donate proceeds to homeless resource centers. While it’s still unfinished, I plan to leverage print-on-demand services to complete it. Getting outside help, such as from a VA, might be the key to finishing this meaningful project.

• Lesson Learned: Sometimes external help is necessary to bring projects to completion.

Grow Org

Grow Org was an attempt to gamify fundraising and leverage influencer campaigns to support non-profits. While the idea was innovative and had potential, it didn’t take off as hoped. It was a valuable experience in understanding the dynamics of fundraising and influencer marketing.

• Lesson Learned: Innovative ideas need thorough execution and understanding of the target market to succeed.

Hofman STRs

Hofman STRs started as a way to manage our Airbnb properties, including the Treehouse Aframe and Nowhere Bus. Having a separate entity for this venture allowed us to apply the systems we optimized for our rentals to other properties, laying the groundwork for Carefree Bnb.

• Lesson Learned: Creating a separate entity for property management can streamline operations and set the stage for expansion.

Carefree Bnb

Carefree Bnb began by helping relatives and friends manage their properties, eventually growing into a successful short-term rental management company. Our experience with our own rentals informed our approach, and we aim to grow to a 100-property portfolio while maintaining a lifestyle-focused, family-operated business.

• Lesson Learned: Leveraging personal experience and gradual growth can lead to a successful and sustainable business.

Other Secret Stuff

There are various other secret projects that I have started and worked on… and ’cause they’re secret, you’re not gonna find them listed here! Ha! Nice try.

Job Experiences

(I figure while I am at it, I will list my past jobs as well!)

Landscaping for GEC

Working for my dad at GEC taught me the value of hard work and the appeal of self-employment. It influenced my career aspirations, making me more inclined towards entrepreneurial endeavors.

• Lesson Learned: Hard work and exposure to self-employment can shape career aspirations and work ethic.

Lawn Mowing

Running a lawn mowing service without knowing how we got clients was an early entrepreneurial experience. It was fun, though challenging without the ability to drive, relying on my mom for transportation.

• Lesson Learned: Early entrepreneurial ventures often require resourcefulness and family support.

Community Partnerships of Idaho

Working in this program was incredibly rewarding. Helping kids achieve their goals and seeing how they approached life differently provided valuable insights into empathy and education. It was a job I loved dearly.

• Lesson Learned: Working with diverse individuals fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of different life perspectives.

English Teaching with ILP (Ukraine)

Teaching English in Ukraine was a formative experience that influenced my personal and professional life, particularly my missionary work in Russia. It was a pure adventure, leaving home at 18 to teach and explore independently.

• Lesson Learned: International experiences can significantly influence personal growth and professional direction.

Missionary (LDS Church Russia/KZ)

My time as a missionary in Russia/KZ was foundational, shaping my life significantly. It influenced my relationship with my wife, who also served there, and instilled a deep connection to Russia in me.

• Lesson Learned: Cultural immersion and service can have long-lasting personal and relational impacts.

Maintenance for Henry’s Lake State Park

Working maintenance at Henry’s Lake State Park was transformational. Learning from older colleagues and spending a summer with my grandmother in Island Park made it a memorable experience, and it funded a backpacking trip through Russia and Eastern Europe.

• Lesson Learned: Intergenerational learning and connections can enrich personal and professional experiences.

MTC Russian/Gospel Teacher

Teaching at the MTC helped me transition from missionary life, staying connected to that part of my identity while easing into regular life. The enthusiasm of new missionaries was inspiring and kept me motivated.

• Lesson Learned: Staying connected to past meaningful experiences can ease transitions and maintain motivation.

Geology Samples Lab for University of Utah

This job served as a resume builder while studying geology. It provided a glimpse into scientific research and was a cool experience, commuting to Salt Lake City and participating in real-life science.

• Lesson Learned: Resume-building jobs can provide valuable insights into specific fields, even if not pursued long-term.

English Teaching on Your Own (Russia)

Teaching English independently in Russia was exhilarating. Hustling for clients and experiencing the wealth of Russian businessmen was eye-opening. I wish I could have done it longer to build more connections.

• Lesson Learned: Independent ventures require hustle and can lead to valuable connections and experiences.

Groupon Russia (Internship – ONE DAY)

The corporate vibe at Groupon Russia was cringe-worthy, leading me to quit after one day. It was a valuable lesson in recognizing and rejecting environments that don’t align with my values.

• Lesson Learned: It’s important to recognize and quickly leave environments that don’t align with personal values.

Best Buddies Russia

Working with Best Buddies Russia, planning summer camps for kids with disabilities, was energizing. Building connections with the kids and learning about their lives was fulfilling and provided a sense of purpose.

• Lesson Learned: Building connections through service can be deeply fulfilling and provide a strong sense of purpose.

Bruges Waffles

Working at Bruges Waffles was a necessary stint in food service, teaching me that it wasn’t a career path I wanted to pursue long-term. Fun memories like taking home a massive bag of waffles contrasted with the challenges of the job.

• Lesson Learned: Food service jobs can provide important lessons in customer service and personal preferences for career paths.

Food and Care Coalition – Front Desk Guy

My first stint at the Food and Care Coalition connected me deeply with the community. Hearing clients’ off-the-wall stories and making lifelong friends made it an enriching experience.

• Lesson Learned: Community-focused roles can build deep connections and provide enriching personal experiences.

Desert Cactus Walker

Walking in the desert searching for endangered species, and getting paid for it, was a dream come true. The job combined my love for nature with meaningful work, protecting vulnerable species.

• Lesson Learned: Combining personal passions with work can lead to fulfilling and impactful experiences.

Gloria’s Italian Restaurant – Server

Working at Gloria’s with my wife allowed us to spend time together despite conflicting schedules. It was fun and competitive, with tip competitions adding excitement to our shifts.

• Lesson Learned: Working alongside loved ones can make jobs more enjoyable and create fun, competitive dynamics.

Fizber RE Listings (Remote)

This remote job was a preliminary exploration into working remotely. Though we didn’t end up taking the job on the road, it influenced future plans for balancing work and travel.

• Lesson Learned: Early remote work experiences can inform future plans and highlight the possibilities of location-independent work.

Online English Teaching

Teaching English online was a side hustle that proved challenging due to early morning hours. It was a way to make extra money, but the time difference made it tough to sustain.

• Lesson Learned: Side hustles can provide extra income, but logistical challenges must be considered.

Clear Organizing Grushik

This job involved occasional manual labor, providing extra income sporadically. It was a flexible, no-commitment way to earn some money on the side.

• Lesson Learned: Flexible, occasional jobs can provide supplementary income without long-term commitment.

Food and Care Coalition – Front Desk Guy (Second Time)

Returning to the Food and Care Coalition while working on Fudi was stressful but necessary. It provided stability as we navigated financial challenges and awaited the arrival of our second child.

• Lesson Learned: Balancing stable work with entrepreneurial ventures is crucial during transitional periods.

Youth Treatment Center for Summer Camps

Getting paid to go mountain biking with kids in Southern Utah was a fantastic gig. Though I only participated in a few week-long trips, being on the payroll for such an enjoyable job was a bonus.

• Lesson Learned: Combining work with enjoyable activities can create memorable and fulfilling job experiences.

Food and Care Coalition – Client Resource Manager

This full-time position at the Food and Care Coalition allowed me to balance stable work with growing Carefree Bnb. Interacting with fun humans and supporting clients made it a rewarding job, but eventually, I had to leave to focus fully on my own business.

• Lesson Learned: Full-time roles can provide stability and support during the growth phase of personal ventures.