By: Debbie Mishibinijima
Do you ever wake up in the morning, excited for what adventure awaits, knowing that the job you do is what you love? Well, Sagamok Anishnawbek member, Arthur Trudeau, does.
Arthur gets to enjoy the mighty outdoors, guiding clients around on All-Terrain vehicles. There is a new adventure with each booking.
Arthur and his wife, Amanda, work as a team owning and operating Mukwa Adventures. Arthur said, “First and foremost, why I am doing this…this is for my family. I want to support them. This business here makes me happy, and in turn, makes them happy.”
Amanda is one woman who truly stands by her man and supports his dreams. Arthur pays her tremendous respect and expresses his gratitude. Trudeau said, “My wife, her support, not only in this business, but in my life, is absolutely crucial to me being who I am today. She has been supportive of me since the day we met. Without her, I don’t know where I would be today.”
Even when Arthur looks back to the day that the business officially launched, he watched in admiration as his wife cut the ribbon. He reflected, “All of that hard work, from the idea to this point [the ribbon cutting], this is official…. we are ready to go. That was one of my proudest moments.”
Family support is critical for most entrepreneurs: this family business receives tremendous assistance from the Trudeau’s five children, ranging in age from four to sixteen years old as well as Arthur’s parents Delores and Harvey Trudeau.
Mukwa Adventures has evolved tremendously and some new features have been planned since its inception. Canoes and kayaks have been added to the fleet. A delicious barbeque of quality foods is offered during the tours. Soon, there will be a portable glamping resort with all the comforts of home, but in the serene settings of a lakeside location accessible by ATV. Arthur passes on his cultural teachings to youth and staff of corporations while on the land.
Arthur has some wise words for other entrepreneurs. He recommends that one does not give up through the roadblocks and sharp curves of life. “If you fail, use that failure as a tool, don’t use it as a roadblock. Learn from it and continue on,” Trudeau said.
Other keys to success include, listening to the professionals, other successful business owners, as well as business owners who have failed because that information is a tool as well.
He markets Mukwa Adventures through social media platforms, vehicle wrap around signage, and his ATV tow vehicle is a billboard on wheels. Arthur stresses the need to use all available marketing tools and go out and make contact with people.
As tourism season approaches, some priorities for Arthur are increasing the fleet of side-by-sides for younger passengers, opening a service garage within the Sagamok industrial park, and creating the glamping ATV tour.
Arthur says, “I believe my traditions are getting me to where I want to be. With any luck, and with a lot of hard work, I want to see Mukwa Adventures as the largest outdoor adventure company there is.” On a last note, Trudeau’s favourite meme for success is – Look to the future, without losing your past.
To contact Arthur and Amanda Trudeau of Mukwa Adventures, call: (705) 862-1150. Email: info@mukwa.ca Visit mukwa.ca.
