HikeStorming was developed to offer people a new way to both get in better shape and develop ideas by creatively combining fitness (namely hiking) and brainstorming.
3. A B R I E F H I S T O RY
The idea started sometime in 2012. There were two groups
that were both popular at the time. One was TEDx, which
offered participants the chance to meet other creative
entrepreneurial types. We would get together to watch
inspiring videos as well as organize local events featuring
dynamic, interesting speakers. The other was hiking Meetups,
which were attracting thousands to sign up for daily and
weekend hikes in the Sacramento foothills, Bay Area and
beyond. One provided great ideas and a positive open-
minded experience with creative and intelligent people. The
other provided scenery, great views, camaraderie, a challenge
as well as the opportunity to get in shape and lose weight.
I thought, why not combine the two.
4. A N D …
There is no doubt that groups of people already go out
on hikes, runs or bike rides to work on ideas. But, this
would be different — better organized, deliberately
divergent, utilizing the latest information on creativity,
brainstorming, cross-pollination and an actual
curriculum to get people talking, thinking and using
constructive targets for what to accomplish on each hike.
We would plan events for CEOs, visionaries, startups or
corporate or organizational departments, whereby
facilitators would guide members on a day hike to get
people out of “ruts” or to open up new pathways for
personal or group discovery. Set this in places like
Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Los Angeles or any major
urban area, and you have a great recipe for full
participation and action!
5. T H E T I M I N G M A K E S S E N S E
• The Bay Area offers easy access to dozens if
not hundreds of trails, all within 30 minutes to
an hour from urban areas.
• A thriving, energetic startup and innovation
culture in the Bay Area.
• Wearable tech is on the rise and shows no
signs of going away. With apps like
• With apps like Evernote / audio & video
recording apps, it may not be too long before
entire workdays get moved to inspiring
outdoor environments.
6. W O R K S PA C E I S C H A N G I N G
The last decade saw a rise
in co-op and even
“virtual”work spaces,
proving that people want
new, more inspiring places
to get work done –-
perhaps even changing the
very definition of what
“work” is.
7. Plain and simple, no one wants to die from
heart attacks, diabetes, strokes or obesity
related problems. Sitting at desks all day
long restricts blood flow, stiffens muscles
and leads to back problems. We need a
solution and this one just makes sense!
Groups like those with PTSD are
using hiking to help them deal with
challenges.
H E A LT H
Physical
Mental
8. • Basic idea generation, startup discussion
hike
• Cross-fit sessions with brainstorming breaks
• Hiking / beach sessions
• Camping / hiking with structured facilitation
• Hikes with different themes, e.g., comedy,
philosophy, acting, business strategy, book
clubs, music, art, meditation, motivation,
emotional intelligence, app development,
engineering, writing, etc.
• Professional development workshops
Limitless Combination of Activities
9. B E N E F I T S T O M E M B E R S
• Improved health, i.e., possible weight loss, endurance,
stamina, muscle tone, improved cardio-vascular system, etc.
• Meeting like-minded, creative, intelligent and fellow health-
conscious people
• Promotion of ideas, companies, causes, etc., either on hikes,
through social media channels, YouTube, etc.
• Generating better ideas through cross-pollination and
random interaction with people of different professions /
occupations
• Recruiting team members / Co-founders and prospective
employees in a stress-free and healthy environment
• Testing out wearable technology and a possible alternative to
typical office work environments
10. I D E A S I N M O T I O N
Weekly upload of videos from monologues
as well as trail, car and workspace
interviews, and with innovators, visionaries,
artists, thinkers, fitness gurus and….
11. T H E B U S I N E S S
Note: numbers and rates subject to change
1. Membership dues ($20 / year or $40/year for premium members) — Premium members would get to a.) plan events for their unique purposes; b.) sponsor a page on the
site; c.) be able to post essays, press releases, etc. on HS Blog. d.) get free entry to otherwise paid events; e.) contribute to monthly newsletter (get link of project, event,
Kick Starter campaign or company website published).
2. Franchising: build out basic curriculum for HikeStorming (HS) sessions, recommended types of combinations, (hiking, running, Cross-fit, etc.) how to recruit, how to use
wearable tech, recommended apps, Newsletter framework, etc. Find leaders in each major city, train and offer 50% (?) of revenue from membership dues, or charge one
fee to get started and then require 10% of revenues, thereafter…
2. Build out YouTube channel (clips of great sessions, interviews with super interesting people, best ideas, compilations using Go Pro, or similar, with great, professional
quality editing and then find suitable sponsors).
4. Sponsorships: sponsors will offer discounts to members for their product or service (see types of sponsors below). In exchange for a yearly or monthly fee, they would get
name and link on Newsletter, HS website, T-shirt and Meetup pages.
5. Sale of T-shirts and other HS paraphernalia / memorabilia
6. Newsletter, blog and website advertisers
7. Special paid events, e.g., day hike retreats with facilitators to help individuals or groups work out challenges and brainstorm new ideas.
Note: numbers and rates subject to change
• Membership dues ($20 / year or $40/year for premium members) — Premium members would get to a.)
plan events for their unique purposes; b.) sponsor a page on the site; c.) be able to post essays, press
releases, etc. on HS Blog. d.) get free entry to otherwise paid events; e.) contribute to monthly newsletter
(get link of project, event, Kick Starter campaign or company website published).
• Franchising: build out basic curriculum for HikeStorming (HS) sessions, recommended types of
combinations, (hiking, running, Cross-fit, etc.) how to recruit, how to use wearable tech, recommended
apps, Newsletter framework, etc. Find leaders in each major city, train and offer 50% (?) of revenue from
membership dues, or charge one fee to get started and then require 10% of revenues, thereafter.
• Build out YouTube channel (clips of great sessions, interviews with super interesting people, best ideas,
compilations using Go Pro, or similar, with great, professional quality editing and then find suitable
sponsors).
• Sponsorships: sponsors will offer discounts to members for their product or service (see types of sponsors
below). In exchange for a yearly or monthly fee, they would get name and link on Newsletter, HS website,
T-shirt and Meetup pages.
• Sale of T-shirts and other HS paraphernalia / memorabilia
• Newsletter, blog and website advertisers
• Special paid events, e.g., day hike retreats with facilitators to help individuals or groups work out
challenges and brainstorm new ideas.