Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Pflug.
Hi Greg, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
One day sitting in school, I decided I wasn’t learning anything of any value to me. I went home, called a friend, and we took off a few days later to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. I came home and convinced my new wife that she should hike the trail before beginning med school, so we thru-hiked the A.T the following spring. The following year she started school and I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Florida Trail. Upon arriving home, folks started calling me wanting to get information on hikes they were planning. I just sold them on the idea of hiring me to guide them. People kept calling, and I kept busy until a few bad injuries took my knees out. I was so depressed not hiking and climbing that a friend turned me on to sea kayaking. From that moment on, it just exploded and took a life of its own. It has been almost 30 years now, and it continues to grow, expand, and evolve.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is never a smooth road with self-employment or working in the backcountry. The attacks on 9/11 ended our international tours for a few years, the market crash of 2007, Covid, and now a flooded market of competitors with great marketing skills and no kayaking experience. Working in the backcountry seems like it would be a wonderful place to deal with issues, find peace, and have relaxing times of self-reflection but that is vacationing in the backcountry not working. When it is your job, you are on high alert and available 24/7. Any injury or drama in town is a hundred times more taxing in the wilderness.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Adventures in Florida is a canoe and kayak travel company specializing in week-long lodge-based and wilderness expeditions. In addition, we offer day tours to the Orlando local and visitor. What sets us apart from other companies is our experience; we have been going at it for almost 30 years, it’s all we do, and it’s all we have ever done. We are not known for our business savvy; we are known for our excellent tours, amazing world-traveled guides, and the less traveled areas we take our guests.
We are most proud to our commitment to our guides, our guests, and the natural environment. We pay our guides a living wage, we provide our guests with the highest level of service, and we put the protection of the natural environment first in all of our decisions.
What does success mean to you?
Being happy, being honest, looking forward to your day and the next day, loving people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.adventuresinflorida.com
- Instagram: adventures_in_florida
- Facebook: facebook.com/adventuresinflorida
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdh_uKaDD-jf_aSxqbb-OZQ
Image Credits
Greg Pflug
