Dalene Heck, co-founder of Trip Chaser, is an accomplished travel writer and entrepreneur who has spent nearly a decade on the road with her husband, Pete. With a unique perspective on travel and personal growth, Dalene has authored numerous articles and inspired countless individuals to explore the world. Her journey, marked by both adventure and adversity, has equipped her with invaluable insights and wisdom, which she passionately shares with her audience. Dalene's latest venture, a travel-themed card game developed from their own experiences, reflects her innovative spirit and commitment to bringing the joy of travel to others.

Question: Can you tell our readers about your background?

Answer: I was born and raised in Northern Alberta, Canada, where the winters were long and snowy. Growing up in a small town with my two sisters, our lives were filled with frequent and noisy family gatherings, which cultivated a sense of community and togetherness. After high school, I moved to Calgary to attend university, where I earned my bachelor's degree in business. My early career saw me quickly climbing the corporate ladder, but a series of personal tragedies in 2007 led me and my husband to change our lives drastically. We sold our belongings and set off to travel the world, an adventure that was supposed to last one year but extended to almost eight years.

Question: What inspired you to start your business?

Answer: I have a long and messy story! After I attained my bachelor’s degree in business, I remained in and around Calgary and focused on quickly climbing the corporate ladder. 

However, a series of personal tragedies in 2007 (read: https://www.hecktictravels.com/why-we-travel-part-one) spurred my husband and I to rethink what we were doing with our lives. We decided to sell all of our belongings and travel the world. We left in the fall of 2009, thinking it would just be for one year, and it ended up being almost eight.

While we knew we wanted to keep traveling for as long as possible, we also knew that we would run out of money! So after year one, we started to develop some businesses that we could run online from anywhere in the world. From travel blogging to consulting with travel brands and tourism boards and more — we do a lot of different things.

But when COVID-19 hit, 80% of our business revenue dried up overnight (it was not a great time to work in tourism). We knew we had to pivot again, and we wanted to build something more sustainable. Thus, we finally returned to an idea that we had held for quite some time — to create a travel-themed card game. While our business has since rebounded, the game (and ideas for MORE games) have basically consumed our lives, and we are not mad about that at all.

Question: Where is your business based?

Answer: Our business is primarily online, which gives us the flexibility to run it from anywhere in the world. This has been crucial for maintaining our travel lifestyle. Currently, we are settled in Nova Scotia, Canada, but our business operations continue to be managed digitally, allowing us to stay connected with our audience and partners globally.

Question: How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

Answer: In the early winter of 2013, while sitting on a beach in Mexico, we decided to take our semi-serious business to another level. Shortly after, we incorporated while in our original home province of Alberta. 

The first steps in starting our business involved leveraging and turning our travel experiences into valuable content. The travel blog that we had already been nurturing and gaining popularity for several years – hecktictravels.com – helped to open some doors for us. It lead to opportunities for consulting with travel brands and tourism boards. When the pandemic hit and our revenue streams dried up, we brainstormed new ideas and created Trip Chaser. Developing the game involved extensive research, design, and testing to ensure it was both educational and entertaining. We focused on building a product that could bring our travel experiences to life for others, even when travel was restricted.

Question: What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Answer: At the time, our travel blog was quite popular and we quickly gained two new clients just by announcing that we were in business – this was a time when the word “influencer” wasn’t mainstream, and travel brands knew they wanted to work with bloggers and Instagrammers, etc. but didn’t know where to start. Because we came from that world, and both have degrees in business, it was easy for us to sell ourselves as that conduit. Those clients were large enough that we could run the business, hire some support, and still enjoy our travel-forward lifestyle.

From there, it rolled. To be clear – it was never our goal to be the biggest – we have always been happy with our boutique-style focus as it allowed us to continue living the way we did. As such, we’ve never really had to raise awareness or build clientele, they’ve continued to come to us.

When it comes to Trip Chaser – which is now our biggest focus – our personal travel brand once again has proven helpful. We have a very supportive base of followers! As well, some early PR wins also made a big difference when we launched.

Question: What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Answer: When we were traveling full-time, I think that sort of lifestyle made it hard for some clients to take us seriously (back before remote work and digital nomadism were so popular). But we always kept good on our promise to be available whenever necessary – yes, it sometimes meant conference calls at 3am while we were in Asia and our client was in North America – but we did it. I think we proved ourselves many times over that we are good on our word and provide unwavering support. The overwhelming positive reviews from our clients prove that!

And when it comes to our game, the conceptualization and design were the easiest part. As with everything – actually selling them is harder! The ongoing marketing pressure is a challenge, especially when we still also have our other businesses to tend to. But we have some cool tricks up our sleeve after many years in this arena, so we’re excited to keep pushing.

Question: How do you stay focused?

Answer: I love all of the work – I truly do. There are frustrating moments, for sure, and imposter syndrome is also a very real thing. But the work itself is so enticing to me that it helps me stay focused on what needs to be done.

Question: How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Answer: Our business stands out due to our extensive and authentic travel experiences – we have lived as digital nomads for nearly eight years, visiting 60 countries. This depth of experience allows us to offer unique insights and stories that resonate with our audience. Our card game, Trip Chaser, is also unique in that it combines fun with educational elements drawn from real travel scenarios, offering players practical travel advice and an immersive experience.

Question: What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Answer: Leveraging our travel blog and social media presence has been our most effective marketing strategy. By consistently sharing high-quality content and engaging with our audience, we’ve built a loyal community. Collaborating with other influencers and travel brands has also expanded our reach. For Trip Chaser, we used crowdfunding platforms to not only raise funds but also create buzz and attract early adopters. Engaging storytelling and authentic interactions have been key components of our marketing success.

Question: What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Answer: Embrace adaptability and be open to change. The path of an entrepreneur is rarely straightforward, and the ability to pivot and seize new opportunities is crucial. Stay true to your passions and values, as they will guide you through challenges. Also, don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone—some of the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places.

Question: What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

Answer: My favorite app is Instagram because it allows me to visually share our travel experiences and connect with a global audience in a meaningful way. My favorite blog is our own, hecktictravels.com, as it documents our journey and growth over the years. My favorite book is "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, as it inspires the pursuit of dreams and personal legends, which aligns perfectly with our life philosophy.

Question: What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Answer: Slack is my favorite business tool because it helps our team stay organized and manage our projects effectively. It’s essential for keeping track of our game development process and other business tasks, ensuring we stay on schedule and meet our goals. Its flexibility and user-friendly interface make it an indispensable resource for our remote work setup.

Question: Who is your business role model? Why?

Answer: My husband, Pete, is my business role model. He has been a constant source of support and encouragement, believing in me and our ventures from the beginning. His compassion, patience, and ability to balance work and life inspire me daily. His unwavering support has been crucial to our success and personal growth.

Question: How do you balance work and life?

Answer: Balancing work and life involves setting clear boundaries and making time for relaxation and reflection. Travel itself offers a natural balance, providing new experiences while allowing for downtime and personal growth. We prioritize our personal well-being and ensure that our work schedule includes breaks and leisure activities. Solo travel and personal retreats also help maintain this balance.

Question: What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Answer: My favorite way to decompress is to travel solo occasionally. It boosts my confidence and allows me to reflect and recharge away from daily responsibilities. Additionally, I enjoy spending time in nature, whether it’s hiking, camping, or simply taking a walk. These activities help clear my mind and rejuvenate my spirit.

Question: What do you have planned for the next six months?

Answer: In the next six months, we plan to expand our game offerings and start producing our second game. We will continue to share our travel experiences and insights, engaging with our audience through various platforms. Additionally, we aim to explore new collaborations with travel brands and influencers to further grow our community and business.

Question: How can our readers connect with you?

Answer: Readers can connect with us through our website, tripchasergame.com, to learn more about our card game and other projects. They can also follow our travel stories and updates on hecktictravels.com. We are active on Instagram and other social media platforms, where we share our journey, travel tips, and engage with our community.