Interview with Marshall Mosher, CEO and Co-founder of Vestigo
Background: Vestigo Adventures, LLC. is a local start-up whose primary mission is to empower those seeking outdoor adventures by providing them with a guide who knows the way. Vestigo serves as a platform for guides to host trips, whether they be yoga classes, kayaking adventures, or hiking excursions, and allows those interested to sign up for said trips.
Me: Hey Marshall, how are you doing this afternoon?
Mosher: Doing great! Just enjoying the nice weather today. How about you?
Me: I’m doing good, you know, looking forward to the weekend and whatnot – mind if we get started?
Mosher: Yeah of course.
Me: Okay, so tell me a little bit about Vestigo.
Mosher: Well, Vestigo is an adventure-sharing platform. Guides and local experts from anywhere in the world can host a trip and others can sign up for it. It’s kind of like the Air BnB for outdoor experiences. Have you heard of Air BnB?
Me: Yes I have! I’ve stayed in a few actually. That sounds really cool though – what kind of trips are being hosted?
Mosher: Well, right now we’re based out of the Southeast. Mainly running trips in Athens and Asheville. But trips could be anything from hiking to rappelling to kayaking. Eventually we want to expand and be all over.
Me: That sounds really cool, I would love to go on a trip sometime!
Mosher: Haha, yeah you should definitely sign up for one!
Me: I’ll look into it! Okay, but as far as your mission goes, what are you aiming to do? What inspired you to start Vestigo?
Mosher: Well, we really want to get as many people outdoors as possible. I’ve always loved the outdoors and I’ve loved showing people how to do new things. I used to be a trip leader for UGA’s Outdoor Rec Program, so I would lead kayaking, rock climbing, caving, trips like that, and it was always great to see someone try something new.
Me: I agree, I’ve always loved the outdoors too. I think its great, what yall are doing.
Mosher: Yeah, thanks! It’s a work in progress, but hopefully it’ll be big one day.
Me: I’m sure it will! So as far as a health and fitness angle.. are you guys trying to incorporate that into Vestigo at all?
Mosher: Definitely! I always have thought that being outside, hiking or doing whatever, is the best way to get exercise. We’ve started pairing with Fit Bit and use their technology on our trips to see how many calories are burned on a hike, how many steps or flights of stairs are climbed. That sort of thing. I’d like to do more with it eventually.
Mosher: Oh, we also have a lot of yoga instructors as guides. We give them a platform to host classes on, so I think that has a really big fitness and health component as well.
Me: Yeah for sure! You know I have been wanting to try yoga so I’ll definitely have to check that out!
Me: But I totally agree with the whole outdoors thing – I’ve always thought working out outside is the best not just for your physical health, but mental and emotional health too.
Mosher: Absolutely.
Me: Well, Marshall, thanks so much for meeting with me, it was great getting to talk to you and learn more about Vestigo.
Mosher: Of course! Thank you too – always love getting to talk about what we’re doing. Have a good weekend!