Walking and Talking

I really like the creativity of this idea.  So I emailed David, the man who wants to be your walking partner, to see what it was all about.  Here's the exchange:

Me: This seems like a really creative way of earning some extra cash in this economy.  Is this what brought this on?

David: It is both a creative project, and a potential business. I want to do the initial walks for free. But when I start doing more, if I go to the point where it becomes full time, then I'd start charging. So, yes, it is a creative entrepreneur move. Do something free now, with potential for the future.

Me: Why now?  (what’s going on with you, or with NYC, or the world in general that make this the ideal time to start doing this?)

David: People need to slow down. Walking is great because it slows things down, but is productive, not unproductive. It is a mental stimulant. You can also learn a lot about the city. But also, its a good activity to think about things in any kind of situation. Especially now, when people might be down b/c of money issues, walking is free, and a good mental and physical exercise. You can resolve ideas, and think of new plans for the future. And right now the weather is great.

Me: Why you?  (What special conversational or walking skills do you have that make you the ideal walking partner?)
 
David:  I have been walking all my life. I know the city very well, but also, I know how to appreciate walking as an activity, and not just a mundane in-between thing. I hope that I can teach this knowledge, and therefore people would be able to walk on their own with a new mindset. But then that would defeat the purpose of the business. A major factor to keep people coming would be the synergy and fun and spontaneity of walking with another person.

Me:  What value do you hope people will see in the initial free walks that will make them want to start paying for it?

David:  Get them addicted to it, and then when I need to assert myself as needing to make a living, then I think it can happen. Also, free walks now, and that can spread through word of mouth, and then newcomers who come I can charge.

Me:  Do you hope to schedule regular walks at regular times with regular customers?  

David:  That is not my hope, but that would be a good outcome. If anything, I just hope for varied and new interest, so i am not just doing it with the same people all the time, but both familiar and new faces.
 
Me:  Is it all year round or just summer?

David:  I recently started advertising this publicly, it will be all the time where ever I am. I sometimes travel, and want to start doing it in other places. Where ever I am any time. 

I think he's onto something.  Walking and talking is severely undervalued. 

Thanks David.  Great idea. 

Comments

[mabrugnolo]

Hey David, can I have his email? I can't read from the pic.
I live in Brazil and, since he's willing to "walk" people some where else, I want to schedule a walk with this interesting buddy. (even though we schedule it for 2010 lol)

Nice post.
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