TGP01 | Joshua Mead & Adventure Driven Design

The Gearhead Project began with a great conversation.

TGP S01E01 | Joshua Mead and I reflected back on playing with Mitsubishi cars, how we got into Mitsubishi trucks, and all the seemingly little things that have made us “lifers.” We also talk about how he and Adam Campbell founded Adventure Driven Design.

Was it the easy power of the turbocharged cars? The Dakar-winning tech underpinning the trucks? Was it the people he met along the way? Was it a desire to modify his life in search of freedom, adventure, and experience?

Yes.

ONCE A DSMER. ALWAYS A DSMER.

Joshua and I reflected on our DSM and GVR4 roots, and how those Mitsubishi cars led up to discover the joys of Mitsubishi trucks. For Joshua, it was a need to pick up a 4WD beater for those salty, Michigan winters.

WE MET ONLINE. THEN WE MET IN PERSON.

Was GVR4.org our first connection? Maybe, but even more important than that was we actually met in person. Josh had a habit of buying old Mitsubishis from the west coast and driving them back to the midwest. When he did, he’d spend a night at my place.

AND THEN HE MOVED TO PHOENIX.

Our conversation moves into a discussion of how he prepared to move across the country and how well those plans held. (Hint: He did not make it a year before buying another Montero.)

THE AZ CRAWLERS.

These guys are one of the biggest, most helpful Montero owner groups in North America. They were instrumental in my decision to buy my first (and second) Montero. They got Joshua out on the trail pretty quickly too. We give credit where it’s due and compare notes on how these guys helped us out.

DISCOVERING THE ADD IDEA.

Joshua had been thinking about starting his own business when he learned Adam had tried to bring Montero parts into the country in the past for resale. When they realized they had complementary abilities, it just sort of happened.

ADD IS BORN.

When a handful of close friends took him aside, telling him, “We’re sick of seeing you miserable trying to force yourself into a life you don’t want. Break out and try this,” he did. It’s not necessarily going to be easy, but it’s better than wasting your life being miserable.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PROFESSIONAL GEARHEAD.

We see Joshua out on adventures all the time. He’s 4-wheeling in the mountains or paddling canoes or traveling—and it ain’t summer vacation! Being self-employed, he enjoys a certain degree of flexibility, but the Instagram picture he took on a dirt road shortcut to the part-time gig he works to keep the lights on only represents a moment in a 10-plus hour work day spent grinding it out to make the dream come true.

WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART OF THE JOB?

Working on the website; the entire suite of technology required to operate a business. Given the choice between spending $500 on product R&D and getting some kind of clever ecommerce plugin working on the website, Joshua is putting the money into R&D. The products sell themselves.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF THE JOB?

When customers get stuff and are legitimately excited about what they’ve received, that’s the best. The feeling that they’ve got something figured out, that they’re doing something right.

WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE.

In the end, we agree that true success comes from helping others achieve success, themselves. Adventure Driven Design exists to make a difference—profitably.

If you can solve a problem for others faster, better, or more affordably, you’ve got a business opportunity ready to be explored. Believe in it. Suit up. And hustle. You can do it.

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