Entrepreneurs Over 40 Episode 12 with Bill and Esther VanGorder

Episode Eleven features Bill and Esther VanGorder talking about their business centered around Nordic Walking and their Retirement Fails!

My Key Takeaways:

• Bill and Esther were a great couple to talk to and they had a lot of great insight regarding business.  I still cant believe that they have created a business centered around teaching people how to walk!  If they are retirement fails, we all should be so lucky.
• One thing I learned from Bill and Esther is that it is never too late to follow your passion whether it is starting a new business or getting in shape.
• Speaking of getting in shape, Nordic walking seems like the way to go with benefits like burning up to 30% more calories than regular walking. It increases heart and cardiovascular training up to 25%, helps with posture and the perception of exertion is 50% of what it would be normally because of the poles.  Bill shared that he is in better total shape now than when he was in his 40s.
• Bill said the three criteria for choosing a business to run in retirement were that t should be something you can do, something you enjoy, and something that you are personally interested in.  He said that is the secret to any job really, especially one you do when you are older.  Nordic Walking just happened to cross off all three for Bill and Esther.
• Because the VanGorders already had invested in their digital presence they were prepared when the pandemic hit and actually thrived.  They were not trying to play catch up and setup their website, start using social media, or learn how to do Online sales and Marketing.  None of this came naturally to them but they just buckled down and figured it out.  Ultimately everything is figure-out-able.
• Both Bill and Esther got a lot of satisfaction from the knowledge that their business was helping to make people healthier and give their customers a better quality of life.
• The VanGorders even have managed to get Nordic Walking into schools!  Bill did point out that one of his good friends, fellow instructor and most importantly, a school principal helped them navigate the 'unique' educational landscape.  When attempting to sell to schools or really any governmental entity it is good to have a guide that can help you to navigate the pitfalls.
• Bill pointed out that they don't always charge for classes but that people are more likely to become 'invested in to the process' so to speak if they pay a little towards the class.  Its a paradox that people don't respect free even if it is of the same quality.
• As Bill and Esther had pointed out, the Pandemic has really played havoc with the supply chains.  To combat that issue they have taken to carrying more stock than they normally would.  Because their business is subject to a customer's desire they had better have the poles in stock so as not to miss out on a sale just because the customer lost their motivation while waiting for their poles to come in.
• The VanGorders don't feel like the market is saturated yet in North America, particularly the US.  People like to deal locally, no matter where they are.  Both of them said that they would be more than happy too discuss the business opportunities as they saw it for someone interested in bringing Nordic Walking to their area.  This sounds like an excellent opportunity and I encourage anyone that might be interested to reach out to take that next step and reach out to Bill and Esther.
• Their number one piece of advice was figure out what you love and go do it!!!  It doesnt have to be running a business; it could be volunteering. They have found real satisfaction in running their own business.  It is good to know that they have another source of income coming in!

Now next week we'll have Joe Apfelbaum on discussing Mojovation, his High Energy series of books and LinkedIn Marketing..

Show notes and more can be found at EntrepreneursOver40.com