Positively West Virginia
Positively West Virginia
Episode 11: River Riders Family Resort: Keeping Customer Service Alive
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Only one hour from the DC and Baltimore Metro Regions, River Riders Inc., offers white water rafting, tubing, canopy tour/zipline, aerial forest adventure parks, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, lodging options and fishing adventures on the beautiful Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers (class I-III) in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Using their expertise and the best adventure equipment available, they run all trips in a professional, personable manner. They pride themselves on superior guest service.

Matthew Knott- Owner of River Riders Resort

River Riders Family Adventure Resort owner, Matthew Knott


Show Notes:

  • 00:31-2:00: Jim introduces the company River Riders Family Adventure Resort owner, Matthew Knott.
  • 2:01-2:07: Give us a little behind the curtain look into your personal life.
  • 2:08-3:13: Knott talks about where his love for adventure and rafting came from and how that inspired him to create River Riders.
  • 3:14-3:48: Tell us a little bit about what you guys do at River Riders
  • 3:49-4:41: “On a daily basis, our goal is to have the guest have a remarkable experience.” “We work hard everyday that make sure that each person that visits us is recognized individually and that they have a great trip.”
  • 4:42-5:52: Matt, what would you say is the one thing you’re most excited about for River Riders right now?
  • 5:53-7:50: Knott talks about the addition of an inn on the property as well as a tavern and how excited he is to make the experience an all-inclusive one for their guests.
  • 7:51-8:29: Take us to that worst entrepreneurial moment that you have since starting River Riders
  • 8:30-10:00: Knott discusses with Jim a time when there was an unfortunate passing of a passenger on one of the raft trips many years ago and the difficulty of seeing their family affected by it as well as everyone on the trip.
  • 10:01-10:14: What was your big takeaway from that experience?
  • 10:15-11:53: “It’s caused me to be more conservative with my decision making for everyone involved on our trips.”
  • 11:54-12:28: What would you say is the best thing about being in business in West Virginia?
  • 12:29-16:14: Knott talks about the opportunity, both in business and in being able to make a difference there is here in West Virginia as well as the overwhelming support he’s received from both the people of the state and the government.
  • 16:15-16:47:  What would you say has been your best business moment?
  • 16:48-19:18: Knott discusses when he was awarded the West Virginia Small Business owner of the year for the SBA last year and what an honor it was to be recognized for all of the hard work.  
  • 19:19-19:42: Jim takes a moment to recognize the incredible sponsors of Positively West Virginia.
  • 19:43-19:48: What is the long-term vision for River Riders?
  • 19:49-21:49 “I’m always looking for what is going to add to the overall experience. Is doing this going to be a benefit for the guest?” I try and do things that the guests will like based on surveys and previous experiences.
  • 21:50-22:02: Matt, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to young entrepreneurs?
  • 22:03-23:35: “I think the biggest thing for me is persistence.” Knott talks about not taking no for an answer and how he’s been told no many times throughout his career but hasn’t let them stop him from fulfilling his vision.
  • 23:36-23:42: What’s one thing you do everyday that you think contributes to your success?
  • 23:43-26:07: “I try and find balance. I try to make sure that I don’t lose sight of the other things that are important in my life.”
  • 26:08-26:14: What’s one resource you use in your business that you can’t live without?
  • 26:15-28:10: “I try to rely on other professionals.” Knott talks about how they utilize a marketing firm, accounting firm and even a management team to help optimize business.  
  • 28:11-28:19: What’s one book you’d recommend to young business people and aspiring entrepreneurs?
  • 28:20-29:29: Knott gives two books, “Good to Great” by Jim Collins and “7 Habits of Highly Successful People” by Steven Covey.
  • 29:30-30:33: How can our listeners reach out and contact you guys?
  • 30:34-31:10: Find them on their websiteFacebook, Instagram  or call our office: (800) 326-7238
  • 31:11- Close: Jim thanks Matthew Knott for joining him on today’s episode of Positively West Virginia and once again recognizes the sponsors of the show that allow these wonderful stories to be told.