When local conservationist Sierra McQuay was laid off from Rocky Mountain Youth Corps due to federal funding cuts in April, she thought she not only lost the job she loved but also her sense of purpose.
“As the layoff happened, I sat there, and I spiraled for a few months,” said McQuay. “I was looking into other conservation jobs and quickly realized I wasn’t the only one laid off. There were so many more people laid off. All of us were applying for the same jobs.”
McQuay saw the competitive job market and knew that her 12 years of experience were nothing compared to the 40 years that many applicants had under their belts.
Rather than fight for a “by-the-book” conservation job, McQuay decided to form her own path in a forest of uncertainty — to start a company that shares the joy of adventure with people by planning it for them.
McQuay’s newest career expedition, Roam Ready, is an adventure trip planning service that takes care of the hard parts of travel, making once-in-a-lifetime experiences accessible, sustainable and meaningful.