We had the good fortune of connecting with Grant Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Grant, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have an obsession with Lake Powell. Every thing about it. The water, the sand, the sun. The jet ski’s you can jump over 6 foot waves to land hard and dislocate your shoulder. Back flips off of insanely high cliffs just to land so hard in the water you wonder why you jumped in the first place. Maybe it was just for the video… Who knows. In fact, I almost lost my life at Lake Powell back in 2017 when I was backed over by a boat. Long story short, I survived because of a life flight and lots of prayers from family and friends. I got a cool scar to prove it 😉 My family is a big inspiration and drive to start this business. I’ve never liked the idea of working under someone and getting paid hourly instead of by project. I have more value than just minimum wage. You hear it all the time, but I’m the one that’s going to do something about it. Actions speak louder than words, right?
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My story is what sets me apart, I have skin in the game. Literally, from the boat accident. I just started with a page for friends and family to follow and share highlights from our trips to Powell. From there people enjoyed it more than anticipated. I’m excited to see where this can potentially go, bringing more people to surrounding Lakes. If more people could just drop the phones, and get out. The Lake is where families are made, blood or not. I laugh when people ask me if it’s easy – it’s not. My screensaver for the past 4 years has been “Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits” I’m still working through the challenges, but I do that by challenging my limits. If I could go back 2 years, I would start right then. Start making those mistakes and build on the imperfections until I come out on top.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Page, Arizona – houseboat, lake all day wake surf, foil, boat, jet ski and dinner at the Antelope Point Marina. Antelope Canyon – hiking, hands down one of the prettiest slot canyons in Arizona. Finding a camping spot.
Grand Canyon – white water rafting.
Sedona – jeeping.
End with a chill road trip to some of the bigger cities around Scottsdale visiting family, mountain bike and airbnb by the pool.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Let’s just say I have a long list.
Shoutout to my dad for backing me over with the boat (hopefully unintentionally 😉 In all honesty though, he has a break the mold mentality from the beginning which I believe he’s passed that on to me. He believes in me and that was all I needed to start.
My mom has been my #1 supporter to just start and start imperfectly, without that I don’t know if I’d ever start. I’m able to ask and receive constructive criticism on the brand I’ve created.
My sister is a Social Media Marketer giving me different perspectives and quite honestly telling me I’m doing things wrong and I’ll do the same with her.
The push back and competition from niched content creators (you know who you are) has helped to drive me forward and create something new.
But all in all, we all LIVE for Lake Powell, that’s where all the credit and recognition should go.
Website: https://www.lakeamateur.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lakeamateur?utm_medium=copy_link
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaxVwrXSNtRIfvZmCWGY5HQ
Other: TikTok – https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPd253d7G/