Three Years In: A Reflection on Building Trail Builder Magazine
Three years ago, I launched Trail Builder Magazine with a simple dream: to tell the stories no one else was telling.
Stories of people quietly shaping the landscapes we ride. Of advocacy and dirt. Of purpose built into every turn, every climb, every hand tool. It was never meant to be flashy. It was meant to be real.
And in so many ways, it has become exactly that.
Since then, we’ve released print and digital issues. I’ve had the privilege of interviewing passionate builders, reviewing tools, writing about trail town economies, and spotlighting the grit and heart behind the scenes.
We’ve told stories that matter—about vision, community, and people showing up, shovel in hand, to create something that lasts.
But now, three years in, I’m taking a moment to pause and ask: What’s working? And what needs to change?
Let’s Be Real
Financially, Trail Builder has just about broken even. All of the revenue goes right back into paying contributors, printing costs, and keeping things running. I haven’t drawn a paycheck. Not yet.
There’s pride in that. Deep gratitude, too. But there’s also fatigue. I juggle a lot—managing multiple brands, teaching, mentoring doctoral students, and more. Trail Builder often gets squeezed into the margins: early mornings, late nights, weekends, and in-between moments.
Sometimes that hustle fuels me. Other times, it burns me out.
After being gone nearly every weekend for weeks on end, it finally caught up on me. I was flying back from shooting three races in three days in Arizona when I was working on a social media content plan for the week. I shut my laptop. I couldn’t.
I needed a break.
So I took one.
I haven’t been as responsive to emails. I’ve been quieter on social. And if you’ve noticed—thank you for your patience.
So What’s Next?
Right now, I’m catching my breath. More importantly, I’m thinking about how to keep Trail Builder going in a way that’s not only sustainable—but energizing again. That means getting creative about how we grow, partner, and generate support—financially and emotionally.
I’m a "solopreneur," like many of you. I wear all the hats. Some of them fit great. Others—like sales and ad revenue (and more)—not so much. But I’m not looking for transactional brand deals. I want partnerships rooted in mutual value. The kind that aligns with our mission and helps move the trail building world forward.
Thank you for sticking with me—for reading, sharing, and believing in what Trail Builder Magazine is all about. I’m still here. And I’m excited to see where we go next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Benesh
Sean is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Trail Builder Mag. He is also the Communications Director for the Northwest Trail Alliance in Portland, Oregon. Sean also spends time in the classroom as a digital media instructor at Warner Pacific University.
