Meet Zack Neeld | World Traveler and Entrepreneur

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

Hi Zack, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
I have been very fortunate to be a part of several start up businesses throughout my career. One that I look fondly on, albeit not a very successful venture, is a senior care software concept that I worked on with my brother in-law and close family friend. Our family friend was literally born into the senior care industry, taking over his family’s portfolio of senior communities and management company. Born was an idea of a software suite that focused on the residents’ well being and communicating that to their loved ones effectively.

The software was developed and we set out to sell it shortly after. Everyone we spoke to in our senior care circles repeatedly all told us the same thing: this is the greatest software to be developed for their sector since sliced bread. Sales call after sales call, we received the same “we love it, lets talk to the higher ups and schedule another call.” But those second calls never came to fruition.

And here is where we learned an important lesson: conduct market research outside of your personal circles of contacts.

Not many of your personal contacts are going to tell you your prized idea has issues. Market reception, aversion to change, lack of integrations can all be decision making show stoppers. Always study your target market to a T and never let only positive comments on your business or idea pollute your mind with false confidence. If you can not think of a single con to your new idea or business, you have not studied your operating space hard enough.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I originally relocated to the Miami area from North Dakota when I was 3 years old. Talk about a scenery change!

Of course, we all know that “party vibe” that Miami has to offer and is known throughout the world, but few people know about the natural wonders Miami has to offer as well! And no, I’m not talking about the airboats and gators out west, I’m talking about the 280 parks that Miami-Dade provides for all of the residents and visitors of beautiful South Florida.

While attending the University of Florida, I was fortunate to work with the new owners of Get Up and Go Kayaking – Tampa Bay location, Amber and Bryon Buzzi. My wife and I stayed in contact with the Buzzi’s as they continued to develop and expand their kayak tours, bringing light to the wonders that the west coast of Florida has to answer. I continued to be intrigued about this kayak venture and studied the Get Up and Go Kayaking website to find there was a large hole in the map of locations: Miami.

I reached out last year to Bryon’s brother, Justin, who is the founder of Get Up and Go Kayaking, and inquired about the area. Miami was still waiting to be developed and if I could get the paperwork done: it could be mine. And this is how Get Up and Go Kayaking – Miami was born.

Get Up and Go Kayaking – Miami is proudly owned and managed by myself and Tiffany Pyke, a Miami native. Fast forward to the summer of 2022, the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and all of the mangrove crabs are waiting for you to come to visit them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well of course, I am a little biased in saying you NEED to paddle the Oleta River! But of course Miami has a never ending nightlife. A glass of champagne at the Fontainebleau hotel, A coveted dinner reservation at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon is a must as well! But the day obviously should start with a stroll down the beach in south beach. Grab a casual lunch and perhaps check out the funky/hip art in Wynnwood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My loving wife for being my never ending support system.

Website: https://getupandgokayaking.com/locations/miami/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getupandgomiami/

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