Chamber Insider Blog

Thank you Joe from Empower Adventures for sharing your story with us. Congratulations on being a finalist for the 30th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards! View all finalists here and event info here.

Tell us the story of your business/nonprofit and how it’s evolved.  

In 2000-2008 I was an Infantry Officer in the Army.  It was there that I experienced firsthand the magic of adventure experiences.

The Army pushed me outside of my comfort zone in so many ways and each time I was able to persevere and became a stronger, more resilient leader.  It was these experiences that led me to conceptualize what would later become Empower Adventures.  We opened our first adventure center in 2009 and subsequently opened Empower Adventures in Middleburg in 2014.

What are you most proud of when it comes to your team? 

I am most proud of the way our team delivers our adventures to our customers with:

• Empathy and compassion for those who are frightened by heights and being outside of their comfort zone
• 5-star level customer service – making sure our guests feel supported and encouraged throughout their journey
• Excitement and energy when our guests are transformed into strong and resilient adventurers

In what ways do you give back to the Loudoun community?

• We work with the nonprofit Loudoun Youth Leadership every summer and have donated over $35k worth of our services to their summer programs over the last 10 years.
• We routinely offer local nonprofits and schools donations of our zipline experiences for their auctions and fundraising activities to the tune of ~$5k annually.
• Every year we support the Middleburg Police Dept with donations and services for their annual National Night Out event in August.

What would it mean to you and your business to win a Small Business Award?

It would mean a great deal to our staff along with our wonderful partner Salamander Resort.  Both our staff and Salamander put so much work into creating a special, one-of-a-kind destination for our guests.  It would be SPECIAL to be able to recognize both of them for their dedication to creating exceptional experiences for visitors to Loudoun County.

Who is the one person that has influenced you the most in your career?

My mother.  As a small business owner herself for over 30 years, I watched her do everything she could to make the business successful all while raising 4 children as a single mother.  I’ve never met anyone who worked as hard as she did.

What did you want to be when you grew up as a child?

I wanted to be a soldier and wanted to serve my country in combat.  I was fortunate to be able to live that dream and I think about and pray for those I served with who weren’t able to come home.  I live with their memories and families in my heart every day.

If you’re not in the office, where can we find you/what is another passion you have?

I’m on the baseball or softball field with my children Faith and JJ (15 and 13) helping them to be their best.

How do you see your business evolving in the next 5 years?

We are always looking to innovate and find new ways to help people discover the magic of adventure and experience how powerful it is to leave your comfort zone and then return as an empowered individual!

Check out Empower Adventures website here!