Now here’s a poser for those outfitters, guides and outdoor retailers out there… What makes you legit? A licence? A certification?  How about whether you actually have a building or not?  What do you think of the idea that a website, magazine, radio station or whatever, should not accept advertising from anyone who does not have commercial building (not their home or garage) to house the business?  Does floor space validate you?  Does working from home keep you from being legit?   

Well, when posed with this question myself recently, I instantly thought this idea went totally against how the outdoor industry works on the ground.  I sort of thought we all knew that a good part of the guiding & instruction business was performed on weekends from back of a truck while the rest of the week we all worked our real jobs. Well, I know that’s not true exactly.. but still, should we shut out the independent weekend warriors from the right to advertise their part-time businesses simply because they don’t own commercial floor space (Yet) ?

I’ve had companies of all sorts and sizes advertise in my local outdoor tourism & park guides for years.  I’m glad for their support and yet there are times when I’ve turned a few away because I didn’t think what they were selling was of honest value to the folks visiting the websites.. but on the other hand.. I’ve got a soft spot for the little guy..I mean, a building is great and all.. but it’s not everything.  When I see someone working from home or storing their gear in the shed out back, I can’t help but pull for ‘em… I mean, because let’s face it, that’s me!