Nevada Small Business Development Center College of Business A partner in The Business Services Group

http://www.littleantelopepackstation.com/

Joe Cereghino

Joe Cereghino has been a professional outdoorsman for over two decades and is having the time of his life as the owner/operator of Little Antelope Pack Station in Coleville, CA. His pack station is an outfitter for various backcountry trips, including pack trips, fly fishing, hunting, back packing, and scenic day and overnight rides.

As a child, Joe often travelled to the Carson Valley to visit family, and fell in love with the beauty of the Sierras. He’s been a professional outfitter for almost fifteen years, and less than a decade ago, he moved from Montana to Coleville to purchase a little, run-down lodge, 7 miles up a dirt road. “Why would he do such a thing?” you might ask. Six simple words: “My back door is the wilderness,” said Joe.

How he found his property is a story in itself. In the mid nineties, Joe was living in Montana, working for an outfitter in the Bitter Mountain rage, guiding, packing, and just plain “cowboying around.” In the summer of ‘95, Joe was working for the forest service as part of a hot shot crew – elite crews who fight fires in remote areas for extended periods of time without minimal logistic support – fighting fires from the Alaska to Mexico border. His crew was called to fight a fire in the Carson Valley, in the Walker Complex near Coleville. The crew cut a helicopter pad, flanked the fire, and saved the Marine Corps housing complex. They spent the night on top of the mountain. Almost a decade later, when Joe bought the little cabin above Coleville, he realized that it was almost the exact location where his crew had fought the fire years ago.

Now, Joe’s life would be a good deal simpler if Joe were retired and sitting on a pot of cash, but he came to the mountains “with the intentions of starting an outdoor horse business.” And after six years in business for himself, “Little Antelope Pack Station is growing, despite the economy,” said Joe.

Joe first encountered the Small Business Development Center by attending a business information class. “She’s been great help,” said Joe of the NSBDC counselor who hosted the class. “Any question that I have, she has resources to find it.” The NSBDC assisted Joe in fine-tuning his business plan and offered advice on advertising. And Joe is definitely getting the word out.

“We get lots of folks from Sacramento, the Bay Area, Reno, but even places like Hawaii, England, and the Basque country,” said Joe.

Little Antelope Pack Station is listed on Maps and in various sierra guides and has begun hosting featured events. “At the end of July we’re participating in a Basque heritage festival. Up in the Sierras there are many old aspen trees where Basque sheepherders left messages, pictures, and sayings carved in the trunks – many close to 100 years old. A representative from the UNR Basque Studies Department will be translating and interpreting the messages for the tour group.”

“I’m getting ready to expand,” said Joe, who just locked into a twenty-year permit to use the wilderness as part of his commercial venture. Additionally, Joe spoke of expanding his services by offering trips for photography classes, wildflower studies, nature appreciation outings, cabin building seminars, and extended backcountry trips.

Joe seems excited for what’s ahead, and thankful for what he’s accomplished so far. When asked what advice he has for future small business owners, Joe said, “Use your resources. There will be tough times – so stick to it.”

Success story compiled and written by Cecil “Chuck” McCumber – Graduate Assistant – Nevada Small Business Development Center