Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Whitmire.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I currently live about 200 yards from the house I grew up in. For 35 years, I have called Western North Carolina home. My parents raised me in a canoe, on the French Broad River, and we spent a lot of time on local waterways camping, fishing, and paddling. I was 6 when my parents co-founded Headwaters Outfitters. Over the past 30 years, our small family business has grown and changed. I considered myself lucky every day, to be able to be a part of its journey. I am where I am today, because my mom was a strong, independent, educated, and determined woman who led the way in a male-dominated outdoor recreation industry. I am who I am today, because my parents set an example and instilled in me values of hard work, passion, and a vision to make their community a better place.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A family business is never always smooth, and there have been, and will continue to be struggles along the way. From rainy years, where the water levels are too high for trips, to COVID, and recessions. There is so much that is out of your hands when describing what a perfect year for business would be. We pivot, and we pivot often. Sometimes things come into play that help at the time, but then later become obstacles. A great example is social media. Social media has really helped our small business grow, but now it has become this heavy cloud that you can’t outrun (you have to do it) but it consumes you if you let it. It is not easy being a small business, in an increasingly big business world. Easy is definitely not a word I would use to describe owning and running a small family business. But our family enjoys the challenge, and our staff have become this amazingly strong network of people who work together to overcome the obstacles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Headwaters Outfitters turns 30 years old in 2022. Founded by my parents in 1992, we are an outdoor recreation business on the French Broad River in Rosman, North Carolina. We focus on paddling and fly fishing but have a fully stocked outdoor shop and a Taproom that serves local draft beer, wine & cider. We are known for our customer service and our passion to protect and give back to the natural resources around us. We host annual river cleanups, we manage down trees along the river in order for all users to safely navigate the Upper French broad, and we educate visitors on leave no trace practices and how to be good stewards while visiting. Our community focus and core group of employees who share the same passion and vision is what sets us apart from others.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
That balance is the key to life. When an obstacle comes up, it is not because you have failed, it is just an opportunity to check yourself, grow and move forward. Everyday is a chance to learn, grow and change. The river proves that to us. Always moving, always adjusting and always a force to reckon with.
Contact Info:
- Email: jessica@
headwatersoutfitters.com - Website: headwatersoutfitters.
com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/headwaters_ outfitters/?hl=en - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ HeadwatersOutfitters/
