Meet Boyd Richardson | Local Guide, Captain, and Outdoor Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Boyd Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Boyd, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The outdoors are all around us and it’s something that all of us share together. I grew up in Florence, SC where I spent a lot of my time in the woods chasing the wild game that South Carolina has to offer or on the river catching what fish we could. For me, the outdoors always offered a sense of simplicity and sustenance that is hard to find anywhere else.

Following graduation from Wofford College in 2017, I moved down to Charleston, SC and uncovered a sincere passion for what the Lowcountry provides in its marshes, creeks, inlets, and rivers. At the time, I was working a desk job and found that I was always looking for a way to get outside in my free time whether that was during the weekends or on those late summer days but what I found was that I wasn’t alone in that longing. Many people that I talked to shared that same sentiment of wanting to be outside whenever they had the chance. However, I discovered that not everybody has the same opportunity to just put a boat in the water or they don’t know exactly what they’re doing – they just know that they want to escape from whatever complexity they were feeling and get outside.

It is in these conversations that I had the idea to launch Native Knowledge Experiences. There are guiding services all over the Lowcountry and across the state and each of these guides has local knowledge from years of experience on our local waters and woods. However, some people don’t necessarily know how to contact a local guide or they may want to have a unique experience where they learn certain skills and practices compared to just being told what to do. Native Knowledge Experiences is designed to help share local knowledge with people to create an appreciation for the environment around all of us and the natural beauty that surrounds each one of us.

With an extreme passion for the outdoors, South Carolina, and relying on local sustenance, my goal for Native Knowledge Experiences is to educate and share that passion so that there is a greater appreciation for our local, natural environment. I want to give people experiences that I grew up doing as a South Carolina native and grow a community that participates in local sustenance practices and outdoor activities. Whether its hunting, fishing, or just outdoor recreation – I aim to encompass anyone and everyone across our beautiful state that want to have an outdoor experience like the locals!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my full-time position, I work in the IT/Cybersecurity space doing sales. However, my passion for the outdoors has led me to launch Native Knowledge Experiences. It’s a challenge to juggle a full time job and give that my best effort while working to start this endeavor on the side but it’s my passion that promotes a work ethic. What I’ve learned so far in this journey is that it’s imperative to pursue what drives you because no obstacle or challenge becomes a burden – your obsession with what drives you makes everything related to that interest exciting rather than dreadful and it becomes shocking what you’re able to accomplish. Support from family and friends when you have a passion that motivates you also gives you more fuel than anything else and it’s with these support groups that you are able to find yourself in stages that you didn’t know were achievable.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many wonderful things to do in Charleston and it’s tough to limit it to just a week of an itinerary! But here are a few of my favorite spots in the area:

Restaurants:
– Martin’s BBQ
– Bowen’s Island
– Wild Olive
– Lost Isle
– Palmira
– Rodney Scott BBQ
– Brown Dog Deli
– Ellis Creek Fish Camp
– S.N.O.B.
– Oak Steakhouse
– Hugh Baby
– Turbo Cone

Music Venues:
– Pour House
– Frontier Lounge
– Awendaw Green
– Music Farm
– Windjammer
– Gritty Flyright (musician)

Coffee:
– Charleston Coffee Exchange
– Island Provisions
– Harken Cafe

Outdoor Activities:
– Shem Creek
– Bowen’s Island
– Folly Beach
– The Battery

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, my biggest shoutout goes to my wife, Madison! Madison has been supportive since I walked through the door with an idea for Native Knowledge Experiences and she continues to push me to chase this dream each day.

I also want to thank all of my friends and family that have supported this idea and contribute in any way they can. Wes Liston has been a huge influence on me to pursue this dream of mine and always reminds me to never give up on a goal. It is with his influence and support that I’ve been able to take significant strides with promotion, ideas, and the courage to keep chasing this dream!

Website: https://www.nkexperiences.com/

Instagram: nativeknowledgeexperiences

Image Credits
All personal photos