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Lana Bakun, Kendrick's Outdoor Adventures, Strategy & Community

Writer's picture: Knew HouseKnew House

Lana Bakun

Co-Owner, Kendrick's Outdoor Adventures


Lana Bakun is the co-owner of Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures, an outdoor adventure equipment rental and experience business in Winnipeg with locations at key tourist destinations, that has become the go to for many organizations, locals and tourists alike for year-round seasonal fun for individuals and groups. Lana has always had a passion for community and movement and is a natural connector and leader. She loves creating opportunities and experiences by reducing barriers to access outdoor fun. Lana is entrepreneurial minded and always thinking about what could be the next adventure offering to drive the business to the next level.







Lana, Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures is a staple in the Winnipeg community, what

inspired you to start?


Sometimes opportunities arise when you least expect them. While owning a business was always a consideration, an outdoor rental business was not initially part of the plan. In 2020, the pandemic significantly affected supply chains, and I was determined to acquire a fat tire bike, encouraging my co-owner to do the same. After enduring long waiting lists, we were presented with the chance to purchase 60 bikes. We considered the potential risks and rewards: the worst case was selling them on Kijiji to others seeking bikes, while the best case was offering people a chance to enjoy the outdoors during a challenging time.


Thus, Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures was established in the winter of 2020 at The Forks, named after my Frenchie/Boston Terrier cross, Kendrick. Our motto, "Get Moving. Get Fresh Air. Get Outside," embodies our mission. This venture has shown us how providing access to equipment and the opportunity for adventure can enable many to participate in outdoor activities they might not have otherwise tried and based on this a non-profit, Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures Kares, was also developed to support this.


Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures began out of a desire to keep building the love of the outdoors in Manitoba, and after seeing what a winter of biking could do we introduced even more ways to be active all year round expanding to multiple locations. We believe that being outside is always better than being inside. It started with one fat bike and turned into a way to get bring outdoor adventure and FUN to visitors and the community year-round on water, snow, ice, trails and pavement.


Running a seasonal business comes with unique challenges. How do you prepare for any gaps when outdoor activities may not be feasible in our climate? What strategies do you employ to maintain momentum year-round?


As the co-owner of Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures, I often ponder if there is a tracker for the time spent on weather monitoring apps, similar to those for social media—though perhaps it’s best I don’t know. Operating an outdoor seasonal business presents numerous challenges beyond our control, with weather being a significant factor influencing our operations and the duration of each season. No year is alike; extensive preparation can be upended by unforeseen weather conditions, transforming a planned 6–8-week season on the river trail into a mere 12 hours of operation.


Our success hinges on flexibility and agility, bolstered by partnerships with multiple locations (The Forks and FortWhyte Alive) where the adventure starts right on site with no transportation to mitigate weather-related disruptions and maintain year-round momentum. Transitioning from a winter-only business of fat tire bikes, ice bikes and snowshoes to a year-round seasonal adventure business expanding to offering water rentals (canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, pedal boats) has allowed us to remain relevant and attract repeat customers and groups. Cultivating strong relationships with organizations that support our mission and collaborating with them for partnerships, awareness, group bookings and more across various seasons has been instrumental in our achievements.



How do you balance the demands of running your business with your personal life and other commitments? Do you have any tips for other entrepreneur’s striving to find a similar balance?


If someone has found the answer to balancing the demands of running a business with personal life and other commitments, I would genuinely appreciate sitting down with them. This journey is far from easy, and every step requires time. From starting Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures to the present, it has demanded a significant investment of time, often taking away from other important areas of life.


Passion for your work compels you to invest time and energy into it. Yet, in our constantly connected society, it’s difficult to resist the urge to reply to emails at all hours and work late into the night. Although I have not yet mastered this balance, I am increasingly aware of its importance and am exploring ways to better integrate my business and personal life.


For other entrepreneurs and anyone seeking balance, one piece of advice I am focusing on is to "be where your feet are." This means being fully present in the moment. It’s a principle that encourages mindfulness and prioritization. Additionally, finding joy in the small things and making time to rejuvenate is vital. By embracing this approach, we can return to our work with renewed energy, knowing that the tasks will still be there tomorrow.


How do you stay ahead of industry trends and continuously improve the services offered by Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures? Can you share any upcoming plans or new activities you’re excited about?


I am proud of the many milestones we have achieved for a business that was not initially part of our plans. We were pioneers in offering year-round outdoor rentals at a scale that accommodates groups year-round of up to 200+, a first in our province. We also introduced several unique rental options to our city and province that were not available until we started operations, always striving to bring new experiences to our customers while making the booking process through adventure as easy as possible so that our guests have fun and we take care of the rest.


We remain committed to enhancing experiences by staying abreast of tourism trends both locally and globally. However, Winnipeg’s significant seasonal fluctuations in weather pose challenges, shortening rental seasons and inflating equipment costs, particularly since we do not purchase in small quantities.


Looking ahead, our focus is on maximizing our existing resources by allowing daily rentals, expanding group packages, curating new experiences, and hosting events. Our priority is to continue delivering exceptional and enjoyable guest experiences. We value our guests and team above all and aim to ensure that everyone who visits Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures leaves with a memorable experience, eager to share their adventures with friends and return for more.


Building a community is most likely an important consideration in how you operate such a successful business. Why is community engagement important to you?


I have always had a passion for community and connection and fostering strong relationships has been integral to our success, with community engagement and partnerships playing a pivotal role. By building connections with our location partners and collaborating with local organizations—ranging from community groups and corporate offices to schools—we have significantly increased awareness and driven growth for the company.


While we welcome visitors from both near and far, a substantial portion of our guests are from Winnipeg or nearby areas. Their continuous support sustains our year-round operations. The importance of collaborative partnerships cannot be overstated; what we achieve together is fundamental to our mission. We are committed to nurturing these quality connections, recognizing that our collective efforts are essential to our ongoing success.

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