In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked, I sit down with Mike Howell—professional river guide, small-town City Councilman, and former restaurant owner. Mike is in Bull Shoals, Arkansas, taking people from all over the country on unforgettable fishing trips down the White River. But before that, he was slinging sandwiches at his seaside shop out in Washington.
We talk about what it’s really like to run a guiding business, how COVID forced him to pivot out of the restaurant industry, and why returning to his roots in Arkansas turned out to be the best decision he could’ve made. We also dive into what it’s like to serve in local government as an entrepreneur—and how different it is making decisions with a committee versus calling your own shots.
Mike shares some honest insights about knowing when to pivot, how to take care of your people, and why younger folks need to start stepping into leadership roles in their communities. This is one of those conversations that blends passion, practicality, and purpose in a way that just hits different.
If you’ve ever dreamed of building a life around what you love—or wondered what it really looks like to walk away from one business to build another—you’ll get a lot out of this one.
🎣 Book a trip with Mike through Gaston’s White River Resort
📍 Learn more about Bull Shoals: bullshoals.org
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