Shoutout Colorado
We’re are honored to announce that we have been featured in Shoutout Colorado’s Decision Maker Series: to start or not to start
Read more about what we talked to Shoutout about here. When you’re done, keep browsing their site to be inspired by other amazing Coloradans who are making a difference and pathing their own path.
We had the good fortune of connecting with Mandy Doolittle and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Mandy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Just like almost every business, ours was created to fulfill a gap. Jason and I had the unfortunate coincidence of starting our family in 2007. At a time when young families don’t often have much money, we were hit with my company closing its doors just after we had our first baby followed by a rough recession. Two years later, we were surprised with twins! Jason and I, as very active people, refused to allow our small to nonexistent budget to determine our lives and force us to sit at home all day. So we would pack up the baby and fill every second of free time by going hiking, exploring our state parks, taking advantage of free admission days to the zoo and museums, and so much more. Even though Colorado is home, we acted like tourists. And still do! And when we needed a little more of a getaway, we chose to go tent camping – a beloved pastime for both of us – around the state. Through all this, Jason would often share our photos on social media for out-of-state family and friends. Everyone was shocked that we weren’t letting the hard times hold us back. Soon, many of them were inspired to get out and explore with their own families and they were us asking us for tips on what to do and where to go. This, in turn, inspired us to want to encourage other families to make memories in their own backyard. Whether it’s learning how to geocache. or going camping for the first time, or taking advantage of the Every Kid In A Park program for 4th graders. And as our travel has evolved now that we own an RV we are sharing all the good and the bad we’ve learned along the way.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Social media is filled to the brim with gorgeous photos of amazing destinations, picture perfect families, and vacations that make us daydream. But for many families, like my own, these dreams may never be attainable. It’s hard to find a hotel room that accepts a family of five. It’s expensive to buy that many plane tickets too! And we will never be picture perfect. The everyday realities are where we want to meet our readers. We want to help them take trips regular families can afford on a budget and go sightseeing together without opening your wallet every time you turn around. We encourage them to spend quality time together and let go of the preconceived notions every parents tends to have. And we always want to inspire families to act like tourists in their own areas. Knowing we have helped someone enjoy time with their kids is the greatest reward.
I’m a mom first, so spending quality time with our boys will always be priority and it is hard to remember to record every second and write down all of the things a blog post needs. So many times I’d rather be in the moment and forget the job part, then I’ll regret it later when we have nothing to share with our readers. There’s a balance that I’m still trying to find.
Blogging has evolved greatly since we started 6 years ago. Sometimes it feels as if it evolves everyday. These days blogging is more commonly viewed as content creation and that really is the heart of it. Creating content that people want to engage in. With billions of pieces of content on the internet and social media our job is to find what speaks to others. To create something that sets us apart and gets noticed. We may create something amazing, but it goes unnoticed and it can easily be defeating.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Showing someone around Colorado means bringing them to all of the iconic spots around our state!
My must do list starts with the Cherry Creek bike path beginning inside Cherry Creek state park and bike into downtown Denver. I love looking at the murals every time I ride by and I think it’s the best way to get into Denver without having to worry about parking. Our favorite spots to grab a bite are Tupelo Honey and Maine Lobster Shack. And of course you must wait in line for Little Man Ice Cream! I love to show off Union Station and describe the fantastic restoration work that has happened. If we have time I’m definitely taking my friends to History Colorado. It is by far my favorite museum in the area and really gives each visitor a wonderful sense of Colorado pride.
When it’s time to explore the iconic front range spots we always head to the foothills. The first stop is always Red Rocks! Everyone I bring here is completely fascinated by not only the gorgeous surroundings, but the locals doing their daily workouts. The whole place sums up Coloradans so perfectly. Then it’s on to Lookout Mountain, Buffalo Bill’s Museum and Golden or Boulder. The day ends with stop at local brewery, our current favorite is the Farmhouse at Breckenridge Brewery on Santa Fe.
Last, but not least, I always take my visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park. Everyone in our family is a big national park fan and RMNP is completely quintessential. There are so many trails that you never need to hike the same trail twice. The Bear Lake area is amazing, but most of my friends equally enjoy Trail Ridge Road and the Alpine Visitors Center. Both areas are such a contrast to where most people are from and it really makes the trip complete. After RMNP, we love going into Estes Park and walking around Elkhorn Avenue – buying taffy and souvenir shopping at Brownfield’s and Trendz are my must do’s. That’s about the time the kids start begging for a giant cheese pizza from Antonio’s Real New York Pizza. It is SO good and a nice reward for all that hiking.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We owe it all to our friends and family who encourage us to share our ideas and stories with the rest of the world! Both sets of our parents, who think we are the greatest bloggers ever. Our friends all over the country that believed in us wholeheartedly. The RV Atlas team, who said our blog didn’t sound like a stupid idea even though we weren’t too sure. And most especially, our three boys who are always up for a new adventure at every turn, who never mind posing for Instagram photos, and are relentless about getting some merch they can wear to school to showoff – they keep us inspired to continue everyday.
Website: https://www.campfiretravelers.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campfiretravelers/
