Blair County outdoor enthusiast has a passion for getting people off the ground (and into a hammock)
Journeyman Hammocks are a simple, complete, robust sleeping solution for outdoor enthusiasts. Photo: Provided
Founder Shane Stoehr launched his parent company Journeyman Products in 2014 with a 10,000-mile solo cross country motorcycle tour. “During that fantastic six-week trip, I fully realized the flexibility, comfort, and other benefits of hammock camping while traveling.”
On his travels, Stoehr shared his idea with other nomads along the way, not worrying that he was giving away his intellectual property. “Don’t be overly afraid of someone else stealing your idea. Your unique understanding of your product and market are your differentiators,” he said.
After several iterations, the hammock camping system was ready for commercialization. In 2019, Journeyman Hammocks was officially launched. Stoehr said, “I hung my wares for sale and later that summer embarked on a tour of local events to educate and share the wonders of getting off the ground.”
Outdoor adventure is a way of life for Stoehr. “At the age of four I started expanding my worldview via bicycles. By thirteen I was building makeshift snowboards out of sleds and belts appropriated from my mother’s closet. Seventeen found me building my first of many Jeeps and off-roading vehicles. In my early twenties, I was introduced to personal flight at a friend’s small hang-gliding port and in my late twenties I discovered the joys of motorcycle travel. My passion for all things mobile continues unabated today. The pursuit of adventure keeps me moving, and I prefer to camp along the way,” he said.
This passion for outdoor adventure has been rooted in everything Stoehr has done, but he says there have been learning opportunities along the way. “Material selection and marketing failures have provided opportunities to learn as I developed my hammock system. Early on, I was hindered by feeling like I had to have fancy brochures and stickers and a slick website before I could be competitive in the arena of adventure business.”
But he soon discovered that there was something that consumers wanted much more than fancy brochures—innovation and comfort. “Desire for innovation in the outdoor recreation space and a passion for helping people get outdoors and off the ground is a major motivator behind Journeyman Hammocks.” Stoehr says that a significant part of his customer base are people who have lost the love for tent camping, or their age prohibits them from sleeping on the ground. “When I introduce people to the idea of how to lay properly in a hammock, they experience an ‘ah-ha’ moment of how supportive a proper camping hammock can be.”
Founder Shane Stoehr teaches a group the benefits of hammock sleeping. Photo: Provided
Startup Alleghenies coach Blake Fleegle says that Blair County is a great spot for Journeyman Hammocks. “As the Alleghenies continues to establish itself as a premiere outdoor destination, companies like Journeyman Hammocks cement that status.”
Through partnership with Startup Alleghenies, Stoehr says that Fleegle has helped him explore new concepts and partnerships for his business and valuable mentorships.
Stoehr is determined to make a quality product that solves a problem in outdoor recreation. “The unique and thoughtful attributes of the Journeyman Hammock Camp, specifically how the different elements are integrated and designed to function together, make it a valuable offering in the outdoor adventure travel space,” he said.
“Shane’s product design ability really shines through with Journeyman Hammocks. They are designed with a purpose, and that is why he is seeing so much success,” Fleegle said.
Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.
