Today we’d like to introduce you to Quinton Legare.
Hi Quinton, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you told a 10-year-old Quinton that one day he’d grow up to have a hiking business, he would have probably looked at you like you were out of your mind. I wasn’t the biggest fan of being outdoors unless it was playing backyard football. Fast forward to being 19, I found peace in the midst of a lot of the stress that comes with being a young Black man by spending time in nature. I started hanging out at Red Top Mountain; then I started discovering more places across Georgia that provided not only fun journeys but even great physical challenges. The more I hiked and spent time outdoors, the more I started to enjoy it because I was able to see the different mental, physical, and spiritual benefits it provided me. I’m a big believer in searching for purpose, and I gained so much clarity during or after hikes. Life started making sense. I then started to share these experiences and take my friends on hikes. They say if you’re looking to start your own business, start with something that you absolutely love to do, and that’s how you get Hike with Banji!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not, but it’s been a lot of fun. Running a business takes a lot of marketing, time and effort, resources, and patience. Some of the struggles have been trying to keep the balance between still finding time for hiking for my own pleasure, scouting different locations, keeping up with making content, having to invest in myself, and being consistent with making sure I’m doing not only hikes but unique experiences that people will enjoy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I started Hike with Banji to foster inclusivity in the outdoors, build community, and teach the many mental, physical, and spiritual benefits of spending time in nature. I do guided outdoor experiences, mainly hikes, but within those hikes, we practice mindfulness in many different ways. What sets me apart is no two experiences are the same. I want to continue to be creative in how I build community by doing things like an outdoor book club, field days, and many other things. Georgia has a lot of great, Black-led outdoor groups, with each offering a unique experience, but my mission is to continue to teach that being outdoors is something that everyone from all walks of life can enjoy. I’m most proud of my own consistency, the love I’ve received for it, and the lives I’ve changed because of it. I want the readers to know that I’ll be soon offering guided meditations, yoga, and private tours that’ll show you a different side of Georgia and the surrounding states.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Having patience and consistency are the keys to getting where I want to be. Nothing good gets built overnight, but as long as I continue to be myself and have fun during the process, everything will all work out. It always does.
Contact Info:
- Website: hikewithbanji.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikewithbanji/
