104: Bill Dawson- A life and career dedicated to The Outdoor Biz

Bill has made a great career for himself in both the Outdoor and Fly Fishing Spaces. He tells us about his work with REI getting their Adventure Travel Program off the ground, his transition into fly fishing with Sage, how he parlayed his entrepreneurial spirit into a successful repping business on the East Coast. Bill has made a great career for himself in both the Outdoor and Fly Fishing Spaces. He tells us about his work with REI getting their Adventure Travel Program off the ground, his transition into fly fishing with Sage, how he parlayed his entrepreneurial spirit into a successful repping business on the East Coast. Facebook Twitter Instagram   The Outdoor Biz Podcast   Support the show   Please give us a rating and review HERE   Show Notes First Exposure to the Outdoors My Dad started us off early and so I grew up hunting and fishing and camping with him and actually went to the Orvis fly fishing school in 1969. And that's when you stayed in the motor coach in across the street from the bamboo factory and went out in the pond factory and learned how to cast and whatnot. So we did that, got a little fishing in and interestingly enough I did that with a cast on my leg so I didn't get to wade in any of the streams and do that portion of the school. But then I got into skiing. That was back in the early days in Pennsylvania and I can still remember to this day my dad coming back from a European business trip and handing me a brand new pair of leather buckle boots. And up to that point you had tie boots and you had a little tool that you could pull tight on the laces and get them tight enough. Things we talked about W Dawsons Inc Orvis REI Mountain Travel Sage Rio Reddington Patagonia Umpqua Kamchatka Highland High School Lacrosse Project Healing Waters Fishermans Conservation Association National Wild Turkey Federation Trout Unlimited Advice, tips I've certainly heard it on your podcast numerous times and, and I'm a product of that, but you know, following that passion. Like I mentioned, you know, trying to join your application with your vocation. I do believe that and it certainly came to fruition with me and I've heard it from many others on your podcast, so it is something to make sure and tuck in your pocket and understand that over the long haul, if you have a passion for it, you're probably going to be successful at it in some way, shape or form. Some other things I would pass on, and these from my coaching days and I would be remiss in not mentioning. My son will laugh because I always told the kids that it's a game of inches. Every little inch counts. You miss a goal by an inch. You missed the ground ball by an inch. So it truly is a game of inches. I think that plays into the game of life and the game of career as well. You really do have to pay attention to the details there and make sure that you're not missing any of those inches along the way. And finally I always told them that we're not going to use the phrase practice makes perfect because I have no aspirations of being perfect. But practice does make permanent. So practice, practice, practice. Other Outdoor Activities Waterfowl Hunting Deer Hunting Favorite Books Michael Connolly and the Bosh series The Reacher series James Patterson Alex Cross John Grisham Best Gear Purchase under $100 Buff Thermacell Hand Warmer Connect with Bill  [email protected] Welcome to a podcast dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts looking to elevate their outdoor careers while embracing the freedom and joy of outdoor adventure. We dive deep into outdoor recreation, adventure travel, and outdoor activities, helping you find the best outdoor jobs that fit your ideal outdoor life. Whether you're seeking career growth or just more time to get outdoors, we've got you covered.