Rising Stars: Meet Jim Myers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Myers. 

Jim, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Our story is a unique one, only because we never had a plan to create what we have today in the museum and the gift store. Our original plan was to sell groceries only… but we could never have anticipated what transpired over the next few years in terms of the HUGE increase in interest in Bigfoot. People came out of the woodwork, wanting to share their stories with someone, and we started plotting their sightings on the big map of Colorado (to date, I believe there are over 300 pins on that map). We built the museum in 2016 and expanded it in 2018. The Sasquatch Encounter Discover Museum is a constant work in progress, as we add new displays, update older ones, and just try to improve the experience overall – including our most recent addition: an animatronic Sasquatch and a little one next to him. We call them The Boss and Junior. Our goal is that the outpost and the museum will become a fun, educational destination that folks will want to visit every year. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest challenge for us was that we had absolutely zero experience or background in retail sales. Our career paths up to 2010 had been working for a faith-based nonprofit organization in Africa and the Middle East, and specifically, Jim’s role was that of Director of Operations and Crisis Management. So, to switch from that experience to running a small grocery store in a one-horse town like Bailey was a HUGE adjustment. That, and the fact that we had to overcome numerous other obstacles along the way, like switching from groceries to a Bigfoot store. We expected to have some struggles working together as husband and wife in the same business, but that has proven to be a blessing rather than a problem in the long run, once we figured out what our different gifts are and how to divide up the various responsibilities. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Daphne and I are very different in our personalities and gifting. Daphne is much more the linear thinker, and her brain functions best in handling the accounts, inventory, banking, etc. It’s not that I cannot do any of those things, but they wear me out rather than fill me up. She’s the opposite. Daphne is also an introvert, so she needs a significant amount of alone time, which means that a very busy store and lots of customers tend to wear her out. I, Jim, am just the opposite: I’m an extrovert, I thrive on challenges and overcoming obstacles, and I’m an artist as well. So, the Sasquatch Outpost is my gallery, and I built the entire store and museum on my own (with some help from a few very good friends). I design many of our T-shirts, mugs, etc, and I’m constantly looking for ways to improve the museum, i.e., what new displays can we design, what new research can we show, what new photography will illustrate a point. The store and museum are a constant work in progress. 

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
We were greatly, greatly helped and encouraged when we hired a business consultant/ life coach on two different occasions to help us get over some very significant hurdles. We could not have done it without her, and she is worth her weight in gold. She was able to help us get a clearer picture of where we needed to go, and how we could get there, and more than anything she helped us to DREAM about what COULD BE, not what is right now. We’ve also networked with many different businesses, both to promote each other’s business, but also to come up with ideas for change or improvement. We are also very involved in our local Platte Canyon Chamber of commerce, and Jim is currently serving as a board member, which provides him with a big-picture perspective on what’s happening in all the businesses in our area. 

Contact Info:

• Email: info@sasquatchoutpost.com
• Website: sasquatchoutpost.com
• Facebook: sasquatch outpost
• Youtube: The Sasquatch Outpost

Image Credits:
Jim Myers
Sasquatch Outpost