6 Lessons in 6 Years
A short reflection from Zorali co-founders Cam and Elise on six years of doing the outdoors differently.
Six years ago, Zorali was just an idea that had just been cast out into the world. We had no warehouse, no team, no thriving community, and no idea exactly how the journey would unfold. But the vision was strong: to help people spend more time in nature to feel the restorative benefits.
Since then, we’ve walked through storms and sunshine. We’ve climbed steep hills (some we didn’t see coming), taken wrong turns, and stopped to catch our breath more than once. But with each step, we’ve learned something new – about building a business, about chasing dreams, and about the kind of people we want to become.
So, on Zorali’s 6th birthday, here are six lessons we’ve learned in six years – lessons that may work just as much for your own ideas, goals, and adventures as they do for ours.
1. Clear the Path Before You Climb
Most people think progress means charging forward. We’ve learned that meaningful progress often starts with a… pause. This is your chance to remove anything that’s in your way.
For us, this means stripping back cluttered processes, saying “no” to distractions, and asking a simple question every time we hit a roadblock: What’s standing in our way, and how do we clear it?
When you clear the path, you free up energy to actually move. Your dream becomes less about willpower and more about momentum.
After spending two weeks in Margaret River, I planned a camping trip with three good friends to Boranup Forest State Park. The plan: ensuring I’d end this stay with a bang. With wonderful help from Zorali, my mates and I were all rugged up in new Fleeces and ready for a weekend adventure! It was day 14 of my trip over there, and I had still only seen the sun once. Unfortunately, on the day of the trip, we woke to another raining and freezing-cold day. Nevertheless, the forecast was for perfect sunshine for the Sunday, and the waves at Boranup Beach were looking promising, so off we went!
2. Be Unmistakably You
In the early days, it’s tempting to look sideways – to compare, to copy, to try to fit in. But nothing stands out less than blending in.
We’ve learned that the more “intentionally Zorali” we become – in our gear, our comms, our events (even our occasional dad jokes) – the more our community connects.
The same is true for any dream: the quirks, values, and weird little details that feel so you are the exact things that make your idea unique and authentic.
3. Take the Trail No One Else Does
It’s easy to follow a formula. But following the well-worn route never leads you somewhere new.
We’ve built Zorali differently, so it’s not just about selling gear, but also creating events, campouts, and connections that run far deeper than nice tents and jackets. Building our community via real-life interactions is fun, and a point of difference to almost every other brand.
When it comes to your own idea, ask: “What if I did it differently?” The trail less travelled might be harder to find, but it’s where you’ll find your unique calling.
4. Go Slow to Go Far
We live in a “grow fast” culture. But some of our best decisions have come from slowing down and taking the long way around.
Whether it’s sourcing better recycled fabrics or investing in culture and how we work together as a team, we’ve learned that patience builds strength you can’t fake.
In your own journey, remember: moving fast is great, but only if you’re moving in the right direction. Intentionality is everything.
5. Grow Together
No summit is worth reaching alone. Every Zorali milestone has been a shared one – built by a small but mighty team, a community of customers, and an army of Trailblazers (our ambassadors) who believe in the same mission.
Fulfilling your own dreams requires people who will walk beside you, challenge you, and cheer you on. Invite them in. You’ll go further, and the journey will mean more.
6. Better Before Bigger
This one has become a mantra for us. Growth isn’t the goal if it costs your health, your joy, or your values.
We’ve learned to strengthen the base before stretching higher, to build a brand (and a life) that’s solid, sustainable, and still fun to run.
Chasing “bigger” without “better” is like pitching a tent on loose sand – it won’t last the first storm.
The Journey Ahead
Looking back, the last six years have been full of twists we could never have planned. But that’s the beauty of chasing a dream – you get to write the map and chart your own course as you go. If there’s one thing we’d leave you with, it’s this: you don’t need the perfect plan to start. You just need to take the first step, keep clearing the path, and hold onto the reason you began.
Here’s to the next summit, and to seeing you out on the trail with us.
