Javier Chavez - Wildmex

Founder of Wildmex SUrf & Adventure School

We met in Boulder, CO in 2008. We both had a dream…

“What’s your business idea?” I’d asked Javier.

“I’m starting a surf school and mountain bike tours,” he responded with a grin. “It’s called Wildmex.”

“Sweet!” I exclaimed, “where?”

“Sayulita, heard of it?”

“What?! Really?! I’m building my eco-lodge in San Pancho, just north of Sayulita. We’re neighbors!” I said excitedly. I knew very few people in the area at the time and was eager to make a friend.

An thus began our friendship as Wildpreneurs. Over a decade later, both of our businesses are still thriving.

Javier has not only showed me all the best surf breaks, he’s also one of the most successful Wildpreneurs I know. Here’s a glimpse of Javier’s interview in Wildpreneurs.

Extended interview:

What was your inspiration to get Wildmex going?

Since I was a kid I had always enjoyed traveling, enjoying nature and practicing outdoor spots in Mexico. All through University a did a lot of Mountain Biking, Surfing and Rock climbing, then, I took a semester off and went to travel around Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. On that trip, I realized that there where places in the world in which people where actually making a living out of their passions like surfing, camping, biking, etc.. so that motivated me to do something similar in Mexico, which back then was a pretty new concept

How long did you think about starting your business before you actually did it? What was the tipping point?

Not much, probably 6 months. Tipping point? Basically, I finished University . Moved to Puerto Escondido, and had to make a life somehow, so I started guiding simple trips like hiking, kayaking, etc..

Is this work your passion? If so, when did your passion begin or originate?

Yes, I would not call it work, but ys, it is my passion, being out there, getting people out there, interacting with great guests and a great team, is indeed my passion

Have you made any personal sacrifices to get your business started? Any funny examples of living on a shoestring budget? 

Too many to remember. Shoestring , definitely for the first 3 years. Other sacrifices, missing weddings, holidays, vacations, weekends, etc.. I remember one season I worked for 3 months without a day off

What is the biggest obstacle you’ve encountered as you’ve grown your business?

Sadly, Mexican government, it would be nice if they where no help, but it seems like they just make situations worst most of the time. Over the 10 years I have been running Wildmex in the area, we have had and still have issues with most infrastructure (streets, water, parking) and with lots of other things that are needed to have a successful business, like a decent police force, a well working nature protection agency, and in general order in the country

Have you had to adapt your business over the years? Have your original business plan/goals evolved with time? 

Definitely, we have had lots of different things happen. When I started the business I was focused on biking and kayaking, then it evolved into surfing. Once the surfing started happening, we would do a lot of Punta de Mita trips, and years of situations with beach access and transport laws keep us changing strategies and services all the time. I guess right now, the only constant is change, I know things will keep on changing, and we are ready to be flexible enough to adapt

As far as goals, I never imagined Wildmex would get this big and successful, so goals have definitely changed and getting higher all the time, just to keep it interesting

Do you strive to grow and expand your business down the road? Or are you satisfied with where your business is at now? 

Wanna grow, mostly because of the challenge, and thepositive  influence you can have in peoples life and in an area with a bigger businss

What do you wish you’d known prior to getting started? 

How to guide a team!!! It is the biggest challenge of them all. You can know all the math, all the Chemistry, all the business models in the world. If you are not able to keep a balance between keeping people happy and motivated, and running a tight ship, it is pretty much impossible to be successfull

Describe your perfect day as a wild entrepreneur. What keeps you inspired?

Biking in the morning, coming into the office, talking with the team and guests for a little. Working in the computer for 1 hour. Go surfing. Come back into our headquarters, see how the day went, make adjustments for the next day. Cook dinner, and chill

Being an entrepreneur is a lot of work. It’s important to take care of yourself along the way! What have you done to invest in yourself, and keep yourself balanced?

Excercise a lot, sleep well (nice bed and quiet and comfortable room). Take holidays when it is quiet

Where do you find support? Who keeps you motivated?

The whole Team, return guests in which I ind some of my best friends

What’s your favorite part about being a wild entrepreneur?

Being outside, being around happy people.