Bex Band is an adventurer and founder of the women’s adventure community Love Her Wild. Her expeditions have included hiking 1000km across Israel, kick-scooting the length of the USA and crossing the Jordan desert. She believes that everyone should be able to access adventure as it builds confidence and connects people to the natural world.
Seeing a lack of women in the outdoors, Bex launched Love Her Wild in 2017 to provide support and opportunities for women in adventure. Now with over 6,000 members, Love Her Wild has taken hundreds of women on life changing expeditions around the world. As well as having an online forum, the community runs a mentoring program and funding schemes to break down financial and social barriers holding women back from getting outdoors.
Bex has been recognised by Business Leader as UK’s top 30 inspirational entrepreneurs and was award the Next Generation Award by Enterprise Nation. For her work advocating women in adventure she has been shortlisted for a National Diversity Award and in 2018 was given ‘Legacy Maker’ status on the San Miguel Alternative Rich List.
Where did the idea for Love Her Wild come from?
I saw a problem and I tried to fix it! When I started getting into adventure and the outdoors I noticed a real lack of women – often on courses and meet-ups I’d be the only one. So I launched a women’s only adventure group to meet other like-minded women and to have a supportive space where women could be inspired or get advice to help them get outdoors on more adventures. The Love Her Wild group grew rapidly and became a thriving social enterprise.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My days are very varied. I have plenty of admin days, sat in front of my laptop answering emails and filling out paperwork. There are also more creative days when I’m producing online content or planning new adventures. I travel a lot sometimes leading expeditions all over the world, running adventure focused events or giving talks in schools and festivals.
Whatever my day looks like I try to incorporate good habits that make me more productive. The easiest way I do this is by having a morning routine. Mine involves exercise or stretching, 10 minutes of meditation and a cup of tea while I do some journalling (reflecting on my thoughts, writing down what I’m grateful for and planning my day).
How do you bring ideas to life?
With commitment and accountability. As soon as I have a good idea I share it online and with people around me so that I stick to it and make it happen. I try to do something every day to work towards my goals, even if it is just sending an email or ticking something off my to-do list. That way I am always being proactive and bringing ideas to life.
What’s one trend that excites you?
This rise in Facebook communities and how these online spaces are translating into real-life meet ups and events.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I build mutual support networks with other entrepreneurs. I’ve learned a huge amount from others (while sharing my own learnings in exchange). Talking to others on the path to success is always something that really motivates me.
What advice would you give your younger self?
To keep trying and pursuing the things that you enjoy and that excite you.
To be a little braver.
To spend less time worrying about the future and what people think of you.
To be just a little bit more rebellious!
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
We can solve so many of the world’s problems by choosing to go predominantly vegan – better health, less deforestation, reduced carbon emissions, world hunger (do you know how much food goes to feeding livestock each year?), cleaner air and, of course, a more ethical and conscious society that doesn’t allow ill-treatment of animals.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Meditation, meditation, mediation! Doing 10 minutes of meditation in the morning clears my head, lifts my mood and makes me more productive. It is gold for entrepreneurs. I recommend using the Headspace app for anyone wanting to give it a try.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Trying to do something new and exciting each year. It can get really easy for your business to get stagnant as you end up in the habit of repeating what you know. I’ve found setting myself a challenge to try something different each year has kept my growth consistent and my brand fresh. Last year I decided to start giving public talks to see where that takes me, next year I will be organizing an adventure relay in the UK.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Working with the wrong people on collaborations has resulted in backlash and energy wasted on negativity. I am now much more selective with who I work with and always have a contract in place and open discussions early on to set expectations on both sides. I also really believe in listening to my gut instinct – it’s usually right!
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’ve can only think about one new idea I’ve got but I’m not ready to give it away just yet 🙂
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I brought a second hand electric drumkit. Work and life has been so busy recently. While I’ve had some exciting holidays and adventures this year, I realised my day to day life was missing of fun and relaxation. I used to play the drums and having a kit in the house has given me something playful to do that gets me away from my laptop once a day. It can be easy to forget to enjoy life when you are busy building a business!
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
Hootsuite for scheduling social media posts. Social platforms can drain your time and while I recognise how key social media has been in growing my business, I’ve started to realise it is less important than I initially thought. Scheduling posts allows me to handle my social media in chunks of time so I’m not constantly checking in or getting lost in news feeds and stories.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
“Tools of Titans” – Tim Ferriss. It’s a good all-round business book that contains advice from a lot of very successful people.
What is your favorite quote?
“So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me.” – J.K.Rowling
Key Learnings:
- Having a morning routine will ensure that your day is as productive as it can be. Start with exercise or stretching, followed by meditation and journaling
- As soon as you have a good idea make yourself accountable by posting it online and sharing it with those around you
- Meditation is gold for entrepreneurs
- Try do something new and different each year to keep your business fresh and to stop growth becoming stagnant
- Make friends with other successful entrepreneurs so you can share your learnings and provided mutual support and motivation
Connect:
Personal website – www.theordinaryadventurer.com
Love Her WIld – www.loveherwild.com
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Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.