All it took was an unexpected Christmas present to turn Walker Higgins into a business owner.
As Business Report details in its new Entrepreneur feature on Higgins—a personal trainer and outdoorsman at heart—his then-girlfriend, and now wife, wanted to get him the “coolest gift” to fit his active lifestyle. When she decided on a YOLO Board, the most recognized stand-up paddleboard brand in the world, instead of a kayak, Higgins was hooked.
Higgins called up a friend, Troy Archer, also the owner of Spectrum Fitness and an avid paddler, to learn more about it. Coincidentally, Archer’s brother founded YOLO Board, eventually leading to a retail business partnership between Archer and Higgins.
“Troy wanted to bring [the sport] here more,” Higgins recalls. “He was busy with Spectrum so he needed that outdoor guy who could be the face of it and embody everything about it—that beach lifestyle.”
Prior to opening Muddy Water Paddle Co. at 4355 Perkins Road, Higgins made a living as a personal trainer, leading outdoor workout groups in local parks and ultimately building a personal outdoor fitness brand. Since opening their showroom in May 2013, Higgins and Archer have successfully grown the business organically through hands-on demonstrations and standup paddling events, often held at the LSU lakes.
“It has been exciting how fast the growth has been,” Higgins says.
Two years ago Muddy Water ranked fourth overall for YOLO Boards sold nationwide. Last year, it was second—an impressive feat considering Baton Rouge is no coastal beach town.
Read the full Entrepreneur feature on Higgins. Send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.
