Set Your Sites
BY STACY DAM
During the pandemic, my family fell in love with camping, but we quickly discovered some pitfalls with the reservation process.
It all started when we decided to host our son’s seventh birthday party at a campsite.
We went to one of his favorite campgrounds.
We thought you just walk up to a campsite, see if it’s available, and then pay for it.
Apparently, that’s not how the real-time availability and payment process works.
In reality, my husband had to show up at 9 a.m. to put his name into a hat.
Then, he returned in the afternoon with the camper and everything ready to go to see if his name was drawn.
When they drew the first name, that person wasn’t there yet, so the staff wanted to give them a few extra minutes to show up.
The crowd went absolutely crazy, saying, “No, you will not. You need to draw another name out!”
It was chaos.
This wasn’t how families should start their weekends outdoors.
I remember thinking, “Technology can solve this problem, and we’re going to be the ones that do it.”
That was the beginning of Set Your Sites, our camping technology company that offers mobile payments, real-time availability, and Wi-Fi services.
Basically, we’re in the business of making happy campers.
We started this company because we wanted the product ourselves, and it’s been an incredible journey ever since.
Early celebrations and challenges
Partnering with our first customer, the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, was a pivotal moment for us.
They opened their campground to us, allowing us to test and pilot our services.
Their willingness to give us a chance was invaluable, and we continue to work closely with them.
The Nebraska State Fair has also been a huge supporter, giving us visibility on a large scale.
We’re incredibly thankful for our customers who have worked with us and given us a chance in our first year.
Of course, no journey is without its challenges.
Raising a funding round is definitely one of them.
It takes more time and persistence, but we stayed true to our original vision for the company and the why behind the fundraise.
“No’s” turned into “yes’s.” and we are closing our pre-seed round soon thanks to the backing of Invest Nebraska, Nebraska Angels, and others who understand we aren’t just another reservation system, we are changing the future on how outdoor hospitality opportunities are found and secured.
The Lincoln Advantage
Building a business in Lincoln has been an amazing experience.
One of the best parts about starting a business in Lincoln is that you can always find the answers you need quickly.
Kathy Andersen was our first connector in the entrepreneurship community, and she continues to advise, encourage, and support us today.
Resources are always one conversation away.
The LaunchLNK grant, in particular, has been a huge catalyst for our company’s acceleration.
Going through the application process twice helped us realize how much Set Your Sites meant to us. It ultimately pushed us to commit to working full-time on the business.
We were overjoyed when we received the grant and did a happy dance in the house.
It was a game-changer for us.
We're grateful for the support we've received from the Lincoln community and the organizations that have helped us along the way. The Nebraska Business Development Center, the NMotion Accelerator and the Million Cups community have all played a crucial role in our growth.
Setting Our Sites on the Future
As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue growing Set Your Sites and making camping a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
We plan to use our grant funding to connect with other businesses in Lincoln and accelerate our sales traction through expanded video marketing.
We’re also looking for an in-house developer who loves the outdoors and is excited about the product we’re building.
We’re grateful for the support from the Lincoln community and the organizations that have helped us along the way.
The Nebraska Business Development Center, the NMotion Accelerator, and the 1 Million Cups community have all played crucial roles in our growth.
We’re excited to continue this journey and make a positive impact on the camping community.
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