Today we’d like to introduce you to Simon Thompson.
Hi Simon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ventures Birding Tours was started as one of the nature programs at the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center in Tryon, NC, about 25 years ago. I took control of the company when the organization went through some restructuring. I had always enjoyed traveling and had been to and lived in many countries as a child, including Ghana, Kenya, and Yemen. I was apprehensive about taking over a business and going from a regular paycheck to being my boss. That was 20+ years ago, and the business has been growing steadily. As well as running local birdwatching day trips throughout Western North Carolina, we have grown to include tours of South Carolina and eastern Tennessee, all with local birding experts and guides. Our overseas program has also grown, and we now run birding and nature tours worldwide, including our first one to Antarctica this past Christmas. In addition to running the company and leading some tours, I have helped out with the local Audubon Society in the Asheville area and have done programs for the NC Arboretum, Chimney Rock State Park, and many other local organizations.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning your own business is always a challenge, especially for a travel company in today’s world. An international situation can affect travel in many ways. The pandemic was quite difficult until we started our North American road trips. We were quite busy, which helped us get through the summer.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an outdoor guy, a self-taught ornithologist, and a birder. I can tolerate cities for a day or two, but I would much rather be in a jungle, swamp, or woodland, enjoying nature. I enjoy teaching folks about nature and birds in particular. I got a degree in commercial horticulture but soon lost interest in the factory-farming aspect of the business. I now run and lead birdwatching tours for my company, Ventures Birding Tours (www.birdventures.com), which has taken me worldwide. I am a general naturalist interested in botany and Lepidoptera, but my strong force is birds. I am known for being knowledgeable about birds and birding and have given programs throughout the area and other parts of the US and Europe. I am proud that I am well-respected in my field, even though there is always so much to learn.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
I have lived overseas for a good portion of my life and explored nature mainly as a child and by myself. My parents didn’t understand my love of birds and nature, but they gave me my first pair of binoculars. They always encouraged my love of nature but tried to persuade me to get a “real” career and job. Thankfully, I found my way into my natural career. As with running any business, one can only do something with others. It’s essential to share tasks, delegate, and include others. As a child, I read copiously, and the following authors inspired my career: Gerald Durrell, George Adamson, and David Attenborough.
Pricing:
- $60 for a day-trip
Contact Info:
- Website: birdventures.com
- Instagram: venturesbirding
- Facebook: venturesbirding
Image Credits
Simon Thompson
