FT Start-Up Stories Series 2: Going wild in the woods 1/10
Feb 29, 2016
In this conversation with Tristram Mayhew, co-founder of Go Ape, he shares his inspiring journey from corporate life to creating an exhilarating tree-top adventure business. Tristram discusses the risks of leaving the city behind, the challenges they faced launching their venture, and the importance of location and partnerships. He also highlights the unique benefits of entrepreneurship outside urban areas and the role of optimism and luck in their success. Tune in for insights that blend adventure with business wisdom!
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Idea Sparked By A Holiday Discovery
- Tristram and Rebecca discovered the idea after finding a leaflet for a treetop adventure park in France and seeing families laughing in the woods.
- The sight of parents rediscovering joy convinced them they should build the business in the UK.
Get Safety And Insurance Early
- Do secure insurance and safety backing before launching risky leisure activities to make them viable and credible.
- Work with trusted safety bodies and persistent insurers to turn novel ideas into insurable businesses.
Lock In Multi-Site Rights And Visibility
- Do secure strong location agreements early and negotiate multi-site rights to scale quickly and block competitors.
- Prioritise high-visibility sites near existing visitor flows to generate instant demand at opening.
