Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Welcome to the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, where we go far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruises to explore the really cool places, people, and activities that adventurous travelers crave. If your idea of a great vacation is sitting on a beach at an all-inclusive resort, you’re in the wrong place. However, if you’re like me, and a beach resort vacation sounds like torture, stick around. You’ve found your tribe.
My name is Jason Elkins, and as an adventure travel marketing consultant and tour operator myself, I am on a mission to impact the lives of adventure travelers, the tour operators they hire, and the communities that host them, creating deeply meaningful experiences that make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
Are you ready to discover your next great adventure, whether that looks something like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, SCUBA diving in the South Pacific, or hot air ballooning in Turkey? Then you’ll be happy to know that each episode of the Big World Made Small Podcast features a fascinating interview with an adventure travel expert that has agreed to share, with us, their own personal stories, favorite adventure destinations, and even some incredibly helpful tips and tricks they’ve learned while in the field. I trust that by the end of each episode you’ll feel like booking a ticket to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these amazing places, and getting to know the incredible people that live there.
I’ll be your guide as we explore this amazing planet and its people on the Big World Made Small podcast. I am a former US Army paratrooper, third generation commercial hot air balloon pilot, paramotor pilot, advanced open water SCUBA diver, and ex-Montana fly fishing guide and lodge manager. I have managed boutique adventure tour operation businesses in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, off-shore in Belize, the Adirondacks in New York, and the desert of Arizona. I also spent nearly a decade with Orvis International Travel, leading a talented team of tour operation experts, putting together and hosting amazing fly fishing and adventure travel excursions around the world. I have tapped into my experience and network of travel pros to put together a weekly series of exclusive expert interviews that I am excited to share with you.
For the last couple of years I have lived a fully nomadic lifestyle, feeding my passion for exploration, creating amazing adventures, and meeting some of the most fascinating people along the way. I record every episode while traveling, so in a sense you’ll be joining me on my journey. Let’s discover some great adventures together and make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
And, don’t forget to take a quick trip over to our website at bigworldmadesmall.com and join our adventure travel community, where you’ll benefit from new episode announcements, exclusive adventure travel opportunities, and special access to the experts you’ve met on the show. You can also follow us on social media, using the links in the show notes below. And, if you’re getting value out of the show please help us grow by sharing it with your friends, family, and anyone else you know that wants to get far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruise ships, the next time they travel.
I’ll publish another episode soon. Until then, keep exploring. It’s the best way to make a big world feel just a bit smaller.
https://adventuretravelmarketing.com/podcast
Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Adventure Travel with Sharyn Means - Doves Rest Cabins | Texas
Sharyn Means
CEO
Doves Rest Cabins
“I’m Sharyn Means, CEO of Doves Rest Cabins. I am the creator of the Kia Oro customer service brand that develops a culture of excellence, powered by staff that can anticipate customer needs, exceed expectations, create goodwill and make it all feel seamless.”
“Born and raised on the remote Island of New Zealand, I learned at a young age to stand on my own two feet, how to do things myself, or find an alternative solution to the issue. My entire career has been in project management, overlapping into hospitality and customer service.”
“My passion for natural beauty led me to Palo Duro Canyon and Doves Rest Cabins where I excel at instilling a devotion to great service while providing tools, skills, freedom and rendering assistance to my staff to make our customers feel special. I am proud to represent my New Zealand heritage here in America by showing my true Kia Oro spirit that is grounded in respect, generosity, and kindness.”
“When I’m not crafting marketing plans, instilling shared values, celebrating great performances, leading by example, you can find me in the arms of my Texan husband, or eating a protein bar”.
summary
In this episode of the Big World Made Small podcast, Jason Elkins interviews Sharyn Means, CEO of Doves Rest Cabins, located on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon. Sharyn shares her unique journey from New Zealand to the U.S. and how her background in construction and project management has shaped her approach to hospitality. The conversation explores the various activities available at Doves Rest, the importance of creating a welcoming environment for guests, and the challenges of scaling a hospitality business. Sharyn emphasizes the significance of listening to guests and staff, the natural beauty of the area, and the philosophy of disconnecting to reconnect with nature and oneself.
takeaways
- Doves Rest Cabins offers a unique blend of luxury and nature.
- Sharyn's journey from New Zealand to the U.S. shaped her hospitality approach.
- The importance of logistics in running a hospitality business.
- Creating a welcoming environment is key to guest satisfaction.
- Listening to guests and staff is crucial for success.
- Nature and wildlife play a significant role in the guest experience.
- Training staff involves hands-on experience and personal interaction.
- Scaling a hospitality business requires strong processes and systems.
- Guests often have common concerns about amenities and services.
- Disconnecting from daily life allows for reconnection with nature and oneself.
Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.
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