74: Building one of the Largest Adventure Travel Companies in the World with Darrell Wade from Intrepid Travel

Anyone can have a great idea, any entrepreneur can get lucky and make it big, but it takes something really special to turn your startup into something that lasts. For the past 27 years that's exactly what Darrell Wade has done with IntrepidTravel. It all started in 1988 when two friends went on a trip to Africa and came back with an idea, something that would revolutionize the travel industry forever. Despite the lack of confidence from the banks and everyone telling them otherwise, Wade and his cofounder knew that there was a market being underserviced out there. So channeling his own passion for traveling, he created a startup where, for more than four years, his salary was only a third of his previous job. Since then, IntrepidTravel has turned into a $300 million business and has successfully transported 350,000 travelers around the globe in the previous year alone! Despite hardships, Wade vigorously reinvested back into his business, focusing on building the best product he could possibly offer, and creating a company with staying power to support it all. Today IntrepidTravel is one of the premiere travel agencies in the world and it all started with a passion and desire to change. In this episode you will learn: How to start a business in the travel industry How to make your business grow on a tight budget and learn about the risks that you have to take for your startup travelling business The advantages of re-investing to make your business grow Unique ideas and Actions items to get a lot of travellers book with your agency The importance of mutual respect when it comes to leadership and your organization How to identify the leverage points where you can scale up in your business & much more!