Meet Sam Mihulka | Business Owner & Outdoorsman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Mihulka and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I believe my business helps the community by providing an outlet for exploration and adventure. I think something comes alive in people when they find themselves on an adventure out in the wilderness. There is beauty in unplugging from our fast paced world and getting into the outdoors.

I provide people a relatively hassle free way to come visit the western slope of Colorado and rent dirt bikes. My goal for growth is to provide multiple mediums for recreation rentals as well as up to date information that people can use on their own adventures in this amazing landscape.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I think what makes my business stand out is the goal behind it. The driving factor behind this business isn’t to grow like crazy or make a ton of money. The goal is to get people into the wild and help them experience adventure. Powersports is the outlet I chose to use simply because I personally have a passion for things like riding dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and mountain bikes, as well as taking Jeeps and UTVs out on trails.

I’m most excited to see how this business grows and hear the customer stories that come out of their experiences. I believe adventure is something that seems to get lost in today’s world, but it’s such an important way for people to learn about themselves as well as connect with others. With that goal in mind, I can definitely say I’m excited to see what the future holds for the company.

The road to getting the business where it is today has not been an easy one. There is a lot of trial and error, as well as doubt from both myself and others that has to be overcome. I started this business as a repair shop on the other side of the mountains as I felt called toward the powersport industry. As I started to follow that calling, I found that there were a lot of things falling into place that kept me moving down the path to starting a business.

My first year was tough. Stepping away from a good paying job to step into financial uncertainty is hard, especially on the Colorado front range. But trusting that I was following the narrow path that was laid out in front of me, my wife and I always had enough to get us through, and so did the business.

I think the most important lesson I had to learn was to have mentors, and choose them wisely. Being able to lean into other people that you trust for guidance and direction is extremely important. There have been lots of doubts and hardships thrown my way. Learning to only listen to those I had chosen as mentors and filter out the others has been a huge help in that area of struggle.

I’d like to let the world know that the goal for my brand and business is to help people get out on adventures, grow the powersports industry by giving people the opportunity to get out on a machine and have some fun, as well as educate people to help promote responsible use of our public lands.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a great question! It’s also a tough question. There are so many cool things to do out here and so many possibilities for week long trips. We would probably start here in Montrose as there is so much great riding, camping, food, and scenery. We would spend a couple of days riding dirt bikes on the adobes next to town in the mornings, and spend afternoons riding up on the Uncompahgre Plateau. For lunch, we would definitely have to stop in at Double Barrell Tacos or Tacos & Beer. For dinner we would stop in at Horsefly Brewing Company for some wings or Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery for, well, pizza and beer.

Mid week I’d plan to take a day off from riding and go check out the Black Canyon of the Gunnison or drive up to the Grand Mesa Lodge.

The second half of the week I’d plan to head up in altitude to the San Juan Mountains and plan to camp up near the towns of Ouray or Silverton. We would probably just throw a dart at a map to pick a trail as there is so much to see and explore. Both towns have some awesome restaurants and Ouray brewing is an awesome place to check out, but I would prefer to cook over a campfire and enjoy some brews under the stars. So many good conversations and memories come from sitting around a campfire.

By the time he was ready to head home, we would probably already be talking about planning a trip to Moab the next year, because that place is super cool and not very far away.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow, where do I start.

My wife, Abigail, and my parents have been extremely helpful and encouraging while I work toward this dream. So huge shout out to them.

I also believe mentorship is extremely important for growth as a business owner and person. There are multiple people who have gathered around me in this effort and have provided some incredible outlets for networking and advice. They know who they are.

Finally, I want to thank my band of brothers in Reclaim Ministries. They have helped me get this far by encouraging me to lean into Jesus for guidance. His leading is the whole reason I started this business in the first place.

Website: grit-motorsports.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grit.motorsports/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GRITMotorsports

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gritmotorsportsco5876

Image Credits
Grayson of Glevity Media