Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Hanks.
Hi Andy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I tell people I left a successful career of 26 years in the corporate world to start an outdoor adventure company called RockyTrax, which offers camper, overlanding, and dirt bike rentals as well as other outdoor adventure services, most often I get asked, “What made you do that”?
I would struggle to give a clear or convincing answer; mostly because there was no single event or moment of clarity that caused me to change the trajectory of my career path – not to mention a huge part of my life! Instead, it was more of a slow burn, growing over several years, gradually taking shape.
There were several moments along the way when little seeds of change began to take root and point me in the general direction. One such moment occurred as I was reading a variety of magazines on outdoor adventure, i.e. overland travel, camping, mountain biking, adventure biking, etc. Each of these magazines had inspiring articles and photographs from exotic locations such as Africa, Europe, and Asia. To my surprise, in every one of these magazines, were equally stunning and intriguing articles on exotic locations right in my own backyard – Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. Pictured, were outdoor scenes, praised by adventure travelers from around the world, and I had been dirt biking or mountain biking in some of those locations just a few weeks prior! I was living in a world-class destination for outdoor adventure.
Another “aha” moment occurred as I was driving to work early one morning. My daily commute from Glade Park to the much larger town of Grand Junction took me through the Colorado National Monument – a beautiful place of red rock canyons, sandstone cliffs, and big horn sheep. As I rounded the bend I came upon a tourist who had parked his car in the middle of the road and was standing next to it taking pictures of a huge red rock bluff. My first thought was “dumb tourist!” Then I felt God gently remind me, “Andy you live in a place that is so spectacular that someone seeing it for the first time literally cannot take in all the scenery without stopping to stare in awe.” Another seed was planted.
Another moment in time that definitely stands out was in June of 2017. I and two buddies were Moto camping on our dual sport bikes through the mountains of Western Colorado. We had ridden over the Uncompahgre Plateau and dropped down into the scenic ranching community of Ridgway, CO for a quick bite and then headed up into the Cimarron mountain range to find a place to camp for the night. We found a quiet spot next to a creek and a grove of towering spruce trees. I had unpacked my bike and was sitting in a small camp chair, enjoying the beer we just bought while in Ridgway, and one of my buddies pulled out his phone and blue tooth speaker. At first, I just wanted to listen to the creek and contemplate life and this ever-growing sense that something needed to change. It wasn’t that I hated my job; I had a good job and worked with good people. It was rewarding. But I’d been there for 26 years, and for the last few years I’d felt like some part of my soul was starving for something else. My wife and I had prayed about it and discussed it many times, but no clear path seemed yet present. So I just kept pushing forward, waiting for a clear picture of what changes needed to happen. Anyway, he fired up the music and it was some old-school country, Waylon and Willie old-school country. Songs I grew up on. Then it happened, the Waylon Jennings song “Luckenbach, Texas” started washing over me. If you know the song, you already know where I’m going. If you don’t know the song, it’s a slightly mournful ballad about a successful country singer and his wife caught up in the crazy, up-tight life of fame, and the never-ending pressure to keep succeeding. Finally, they decide to go back to their roots and the simple life in Luckenbach, Texas. A place where life moved slower, was simple, and people were happy.
I’m not sure exactly what happened, but I was moved to tears. And in that moment, listening to that song, I knew in my heart and soul, it was time. I didn’t have a plan or a clear picture, but I knew I wanted to be doing what I was doing right then and there. Somehow, someway, this was going to be a significant part of my life. Two months later, I handed in my resignation and left the safety of the shore to wade into something that terrified my conservative nature but exhilarated my adventuresome soul! And praise God, He has guided me into a wonderful adventure!
Today, RockyTrax offers camper rentals, ranging from full-size family campers to off-road overlanding rigs. We also offer dual sport dirt bike rentals, off-road riding lessons, self-guided tours, camper delivery and setup services, and base camp lodging on our ranch. My family and I enjoy camping and exploring Western Colorado and Eastern Utah and it is my privilege and blessing to help other folks experience an adventure of their own in this beautiful place we live.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest challenge, surprisingly, was not learning to start and run a new business for the first time. It was instead the personal changes for me and my wife, Kristi. For 26 years I had a successful career in the corporate world and Kristi stayed home to take care of our family and home. With the kids grown and the uncertainty of starting a new business, Kristi went back to work while I ran the new business, RockyTrax, from our home.
Basically, we switched places and she had to find herself in the work world and I had to learn to be a homemaker. In addition to running the new business, I had to adapt to being the primary caregiver for our adult child with special needs as well as cooking and cleaning. This was a big change for both of us and it took some time to adjust personally and relationally.
As with any challenge that you work through and overcome, you become better through the struggle. Kristi and I are better for the challenges and continue to love and support one another as a team doing life together. I also, have to say it is by the grace of God we were able to overcome these challenges.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
This is the RockyTrax mission statement: “RockyTrax is established to help connect people with God’s beautiful creation and to help create a stress-free outdoor camping and exploration experience that resets the soul, mind, and body.”
To me, this means that my customers are more than renters or consumers. They are people with whom I can share experiences and adventures. Yes, I rent campers and dirt bikes and offer other services, but my specialty is helping to create special experiences and adventures for others and introducing them to this beautiful place we live.
I think my desire to exceed people’s expectations and go above and beyond is what sets me apart from other adventure rental companies. RockyTrax has over 100 reviews and all are five-star ratings. This and the encouraging and grateful comments from past customers are what is most pleasing and humbling for me.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
As a Christian, my advice comes from a place of faith in God. Life is more than accumulating earthly treasures. If you have the ability to combine your work with your passion, then chase the dream, not the money, and honor God with your business while blessing your employees and customers along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rockytrax.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockytrax/
Image Credits
Photo of the couple sitting in front of a teardrop camper by Will Campbell
Andy Hanks
