This transcript was generated from the episode audio and may contain minor errors.
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Florida man leads scooter tours after watching Macklemore video. Had a broken keyboard, bought a broken keyboard. This corporate refugee relocates to Florida and kicks off a new hustle leading adult scooter tours. He also sells and resells adult scooters. And this is part of a new series we're doing this year, remixing some of our best stories over the years, especially the early years, which was a long time ago.
We started this podcast in 2017, and we're still going strong every single day ever since. So for a lot of listeners, these stories are completely new. If you do happen to have an incredible memory, each one is being rerecorded, and we will also include some new updates in some cases. So without further ado, in today's story, a man who thinks unconventionally starts his hustle leading these scooter tours after watching the classic thrift shop video from Macklemore. He also relocates without telling his employer, I love that part, and finds paradise in a 13 mile stretch of the Florida Panhandle.
We're talking about Jordan Crowder. I got to meet him a few years ago. I actually wrote about him in the "100 Side Hustles" book. I'm excited to bring you his story. Here's a quick shout out to our sponsor, and then we'll dive right in.
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In 2013, Jordan Crowder was living a typical corporate life as a marketing and art director in Dallas, Texas. Dreaming of escape, he maneuvered his way into a remote position with a clear goal, relocating his wife and two young daughters to 30A. 30A, of course, is a picturesque stretch of Florida's Panhandle made famous by The Truman Show. Taking a calculated risk, Jordan moved without informing his employer. While not entirely above board, he reasoned that as a remote worker during a company merger, his location shouldn't matter.
Of course, this is before the pandemic when remote work became much more normal. The company was already dealing with widespread layoffs and restructuring, and Jordan had endured his share of corporate politics. Still, he knew this arrangement wouldn't last forever, so he began exploring opportunities in his new paradise. And one thing stood out immediately. Like many beach communities, 30A embraced alternative transportation.
Bikes and walking were preferred over cars thanks to perfect weather and limited parking. Jordan, always looking for unique angles, began researching novel transportation methods for this pedestrian-friendly market. His inspiration came from an unlikely source, I mentioned it in the intro, McLemore's thrift shop music video. Watching the artist cruise around on an old-school scooter sparked nostalgic memories of his childhood rides. While researching modern alternatives, Jordan discovered KickBike, a Finnish company that would be from Finland that had revolutionized the traditional scooter.
These hybrid vehicles, dubbed the Porsche of the scooter industry, combined the best elements of bicycles and scooters and had been popular in Europe for 25 years. Intrigued that KickBikes hadn't caught on in America, Jordan did some digging and made a surprising discovery. The owner of KickBike America lived right there in Florida. Seizing the opportunity, he drove to Orlando and struck an innovative deal. Jordan would revamp the company's US website and manage their marketing campaign in exchange for inventory and commission on all online US sales.
He returned home with 25 KickBikes and a vision to create unique tours along 30A's spectacular coastline. This 13-mile stretch of road connected a dozen distinct beach communities, each with its own character. Despite growing tourism, no one was offering comprehensive tours of the area. Jordan spent two years becoming an expert on every aspect of the region, from its rare coastal dune lakes and state forests to hidden trails and local businesses. This deep knowledge would prove invaluable in crafting unique, engaging tours that went beyond typical tourist experiences.
Starting up proved surprisingly straightforward in some ways, but challenging in others. While obtaining a Florida business license was simple and affordable, finding retail space along the expensive shoreline was nearly impossible. Undaunted, Jordan initially operated from his truck, strategically parking KickBikes in high traffic areas. He learned to adapt quickly, testing different locations and marketing approaches to see what resonated with tourists and locals. Next, he carefully crafted tours based on fitness levels, knowing that KickBiking required more energy than regular cycling.
Prices ranged from 20 to $30, and he focused on ensuring positive experiences for all skill levels. Through relationship building, Jordan eventually convinced local shops to serve as tour starting points, offering his marketing expertise in exchange for space, a win-win arrangement that gave his business legitimacy without the burden of expensive retail rent. Now, as we said in the original episode, the business had grown steadily. As Jordan transitioned away from his corporate job, he in fact became a full-time web developer and marketing consultant, KickBike Venture is bringing in thousands of dollars a month through tours and online sales commissions. He had developed two primary daily tours, the introductory Take It Easy Tour and the more comprehensive Great Trip, which included beach access and sea turtle refueling.
He also experimented with innovative combinations like KickBike and stand-up paddle boarding and KickBike plus bar hopping. The venture demonstrated how creative thinking and adaptability could transform this unique European import into a successful USA beach town enterprise. Jordan's story shows that sometimes the best opportunities come from combining seemingly unrelated elements, Finnish transportation technology, Florida beach culture, and the growing experience economy. In fact, his success in those early years showed with the right approach, even niche products can find their perfect market. [Music]
Here's a quote from Jordan I wanna share with you.
He says, "It might sound cliche, "but fake it till you make it worked for me. "I had to become the highest level expert "on my product in the country, starting from scratch. "I had to live and breathe this product, "the company and community, "until I didn't feel like an imposter anymore. "So sometimes to get the job of your dreams, "you have to dream up the job, hire yourself, "and then quickly prove you belong there." I love that quote. Thank you so much, Jordan.
Listeners, inspiration is good, but inspiration with action is so much better. There's a story out there waiting for you. There's a case study with your idea. If you don't have the idea yet, well, I'm gonna give you some more. We have a new episode every single day of Side Hustle School.
Always giving you different ideas, points of inspiration, and some practical tips as well. I wanna help make this a fantastic year for you, so let us know how we can continue to improve. And of course, I hope you will subscribe and follow for more. That's all for now. My name is Chris Guillebeau.
This is Side Hustle School. [Music]
From the Onward Project.
