Meet Samantha Luegger | Owner of LUE Outdoors

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

Hi Samantha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
With LUE Outdoors, the thought process was very simple: I needed employment, but due to my health was unable to find an employer willing to hire me (2016-2018). LUE Outdoors came to be out my extreme passion for loving the outdoors, living life outdoors in combo with the need for employment. The business started as an ambassador and affiliate business, grew to an online retailer, and then January 2022 we opened our first physical location.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think, what sets LUE Outdoors apart is our focus on eco-friendly small outdoor industry businesses, garage brands, start-ups – all the little guys that are making as good as, if not better, products than the big brands. We are very proud of that! And excited to continue getting small brands in front of people! We want people to know they can come to LUE Outdoors and feel good about getting the best products while supporting small businesses.
We want consumers to know there are other options, better options, and more eco-friendly, sustainable, do good options out there, and that these products come from brands most have never heard of before.

It has not been an easy road, but I am really happy with LUE Outdoors.
We may not have the funding others have, which made and makes things more difficult. We may not have the following other retailers have, which can hinder our success at times. But what we do have is intense passion, and we believe in our mission wholeheartedly. Not all can say that, so I am proud we can.

So many lessons, but the biggest and most expensive: Get everything in writing. Seems like a no-brainer, but I have learned that if every word is not in writing the other party will find a loophole, and you will land up in the hole. And do not be scared to stand up for yourself and your business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
You want to have a great time in Summit County, Colorado … We are in an outdoors persons paradise. Mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and more. So, snow sports and ice fishing in the winter, and hiking, camping, fishing, disc golf, golf, biking, rock climbing, rafting and more fun activities summer through fall.

In Summit County there are a lot of really great restaurants, but Frisco and Breckenridge are the two with the most selection. There is a such a wide range of choices, you would be hard pressed to not find something you love.

Music lover? Lots of great places to enjoy some live music, but the Dillon Amphitheater is amazing!

A couple of places that are recommended by most in Summit County:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Sledding
Dog Sledding
Nordic Centers
The Troll in Breckenridge
Sapphire Point
Lake Dillon
Boreas Pass
Hoosier Pass
Green Mountain Reservoir (North of Summit County, but worth the short drive)
Loveland Pass
Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area
Gondola Rides at Breckenridge or Keystone
Frisco and Dillon Marinas
Country Boy Mine

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am blessed to have quite a few people that deserve a Shoutout! My mother would be the first, and she is the reason we decided to open a physical location: She passed away July 1st, 2021, from a stroke she had June 26th. (According to my dad) The day before her stroke mum was talking to my dad about LUE Outdoors, how she knew I could be successful, and thought we should open a store. She was always my cheerleader, even when I did not deserve one. She deserves the biggest shoutout.
My dad also deserves a shoutout: He has been helping big time behind the scenes. Without him, the store would never have happened. Thankfully, he took over for my mum as cheerleader and confidence builder. [wink & a smile]
My son does so much to help with the store! He has been a life saver! He not only deserves a shoutout for being supportive of LUE Outdoors and his mother, but at 18 yrs old, he started his own business last year: Unhinged Skateboards. Super proud of him!
My family and friends for always being there when I need a little love, personal & professional support, or confidence building. Especially my bestie, Alicia: She has been a rock! Puts up with all of my crap, and has for 24 years. [laughs] A couple of other friends who deserve a direct shoutout are Tommy and Phil: I would not have mentally made it without their friendship. And we cannot forget Carla and Mel, who are like family; we are so blessed to have them not only as friends but ambassadors for LUE Outdoors.

Professionally there are a couple handfuls of businesses that have really inspired, motivated, and unknowingly mentored me. To name a few: Kula Cloth, SheFly, Youer, Wise River, NoSo, MODL Outdoors, SkyGoat, PACT Outdoors, and PupUps. I feel bad not naming all, but the list is actually quite long: Working directly with the Outdoors Industry over the last two years has allowed me to meet amazing people and build wonderful relationships!

Website: lueoutdoors.com

Instagram: lueoutdoors

Facebook: lueoutdoors

Other: You can find us at events in Summit County and around Colorado this summer through fall. We offer pop-up parties: We bring the store to you.

Image Credits
Samantha Luegger