Today we’d like to introduce you to Brett Shoffner.
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?
Ethan and I started in 2019 during a snowstorm and terrible winter weather we were trying to escape. We decided to form an LLC and take a job in California. Been really busy even since!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not a smooth road. It is still bumpy! We struggle with most things that all small business struggle with. Getting paid by clients timely so we can make payroll, stuff breaks (constantly), bonding and insurance costs, and we work in a very niche artisan industry in a very non-outdoor recreational area of the country, comparatively to say Vermont or Colorado. We are very lucky to have an amazing staff that their entire life is trailbuilding. The travel and the work are not easy. We are blessed that most of our guys have worked with us for 5+ years. We are family.
We’ve been impressed with Nomad Trails Development LLC , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a professional trail building company that specializes in mountain bike specific flow tracks. We also do pretty much every other type of trail out there. Hiking, equestrian, motocross, environmental access, canyoneering, school trails and outdoor classrooms, community nature trails, etc. Most trail users don’t consciously think that someone had to actually construct that trail. Some places are easier to build than others, even on the same site. Look for the rock work or how the trail tread is shaped within the natural terrain. There is a lot of science and creativity involved.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Our website is great. Shout out to 52Eighty Creative for making it awesome. Nomadtrails.co
Professional Trailbuilders Association (PTBA)
US Forest Service trail building literature
Kootanny Adaptive Sports Council trail standards
TrailEffect podcast
Lots of knowledge about municipal bidding, ecological knowledge, and managing projects/people are key!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Nomadtrails.co
- Instagram: @nomadtrailsdevelopment
- Facebook: Nomad Trails Development
