87: Adam Gifford, Outdoor Tech Entrepreneur, TackleHack Founder & Outdoorsman

“I want to help these small companies. I want to help them build their brand, and build their story and be successful. They’re spending money in areas that’s not fruitful. I started talking to these men and women that make these things, and this whole new world opened up to me. And it was no longer my grandfather making fishing baits. It was people in Arkansas making duck calls or someone in California making lanyards. So I thought I wanted to make this for myself. But I discovered a new culture of people, and heard what they really need.”— Adam Gifford, Founder of TackleHack Today's guest will tell you how he started his company. It involved being told you couldn’t, exploring the depths of the unknown, and running up a lot of credit card bills. Starting a company is hard. Adam Gifford, my guest, calls it a roller coaster. Which sounds trite, but I’ve personally been through highs no drug replicates, and I’ve been in the trough of sorrow, as it’s known among founders. People are always going to tell you that you can't do something. When you realize that there is not a single adult in this world who has the ability to control your destiny besides you, you can rapidly evolve your career. Adam Gifford motivates the hell out of me. This interview or chat starts off heavy on the business side of things, and we work our way through Adam’s passion for the community and the individual people his company is helping. Adam has faced many of the same challenges I have. He’s building a tech company in the midwest. He sounds different. He has to deal with the garbage perception that people in the outdoors aren’t advanced. But he has persisted on and that’s why I think he has a great shot at success. TackleHackSponsored by Houston Safari Club FoundationRestless Native is brought to you by Houston Safari Club Foundation. This organization is a great supporter of hunters and conservation.Last year I got the chance to attend Houston Safari Club Foundation’s Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention, and I honestly had the time of my life. This family-friendly event celebrates wildlife, wild places and the hunting lifestyle we all love. Thousands of visitors and exhibitors come from all over the WORLD for a three day exposition. One thing that will surprise some of you is the entertainment. Fellow Eagles fans will love this one: Don Felder, renowned as a former lead guitarist of The Eagles, is the entertainment on Friday. Saturday features comedian Tom Papa.One thing I want to mention is what a great opportunity this is to find big game hunts. Obviously the floor is loaded with great outfitters, and another opportunity to score great hunts are the banquets. When you buy a hunt at the banquet, you’re helping raise money for conservation by donating to Houston Safari Club Foundation. Actually, every step of the way raises money for conservation. Your tickets to the event, banquets and donations fulfill Houston Safari Club Foundation’s mission of preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation and the promotion of our hunting heritage.The show is January 24 through the 26th in Houston Texas. Learn more at wehuntwegive.org. Thank you to Houston Safari Club Foundation for all you do, and for sponsoring GoWild and Restless Native