An entrepreneur has launched an online leadership platform this month after his adventure tourism business suffered losses of nearly £250,000 due to the pandemic.
Jason Rawles, 44, CEO and founder of Aspire Adventures in Llanberis, quit his job in IT sales in 2013 to move to Wales and pursue his passion for helping people, charities and businesses to experience adventures in the outdoors.
He said: “After a series of negative life events I left the corporate world, sold my house and relocated to Wales to launch a recreational pursuits business that is in alignment with my personal values,
“Wales is visually spectacular; is steeped in history; has amazing myths and legends; and is, quite frankly, the adventure capital of the world!”
In October 2013, Jason began volunteering for Mountain Rescue and took over the running of the Llanberis Mountain Film Festival charity with a friend.
“My goal is to help business leaders to be more effective and to lead adventures in the UK and around the world, but it hasn’t been all plain sailing,” added Jason.
“I had my wrist reconstructed in 2016 and the currency crash soon after Brexit meant I had to reassess the whole business.
“It took me more than two years to develop my business model, which has a strong sense of social purpose underpinning my mission and values.”
Aspire Adventures launched in December 2018. Since then, Jason has helped over 650 people – including global corporates, charities, TV personalities and political leaders – to participate in expeditions and adventure-based experiences.
He has also delivered free guided walks to 268 NHS workers as part of his award-winning NHS Walks Programme.
“It’s so important that we don’t forget the whole ecosystem,” said Jason.
With bookings for 2020/21 expeditions and adventures nearly full, Jason said that everything was geared up for a record-breaking year; then coronavirus hit.
“The business lost £247,000 of revenue overnight, which was disastrous,” he admitted.
“Most importantly, we lost the platform to inspire people or support aspirations. That’s why we have launched the online Aspire Leadership Academy, as we want to still help people to aim high, plan big and achieve their goals.”
The Leadership Academy offers five programmes which are structured to different leadership roles.
The programmes, with up to 22 modules, are delivered via pre- recorded slides and workbooks which could include a professional accreditation to The Institute of Leadership and Management.
“While the mission of the Academy is helping leaders all around the world to be more effective, the vision is to employ a large team of local people who will help develop and grow the platform and become part of an exciting team,” concluded Jason.
