Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Ansley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I actually got started in this industry after seeing an advertisement on Indeed for kayaking in the bioluminescence. At the time, my only real experience on the water had been a guided tour with my family. My mom had booked a three-hour ocean kayaking trip, and I still remember her and my sister laughing the whole time while struggling a bit with the conditions. What stood out most, though, was the guide. He was constantly laughing, having fun, and taking incredible photos of us throughout the trip. We still have those photos today, and I find myself looking back on them often.
I grew up in Louisiana, so being outdoors and around water has always been a part of my life. That experience wasn’t my first time in nature, but it was my first true guided kayaking trip, and it really changed how I saw the value of those kinds of experiences. There’s something really special about guided tours, you show up and everything is taken care of. You’re taught how to paddle, you’re educated on the wildlife and environment, and you have someone there ensuring your safety while also helping you fully experience the moment. It removes the barriers so people can just enjoy it.
That experience stuck with me, so I emailed the owner of the company after seeing the job posting and shared that story. He invited me out, and that was almost eight years ago now. That opportunity became my entry point into guiding tours, and I eventually expanded into Florida’s freshwater springs, including Rock Springs out of King’s Landing, which quickly became one of my favorite places to paddle.
Over time, I transitioned into managing multiple locations, including those locations (Titusville, Rock Springs, and recently adding the St. Augustine area). About three years ago, I also started my own operation, Get Up And Go Kayaking – Gilchrist Blue. What really pushed me in that direction was seeing how much guests loved the experiences. Across the company we’ve now built over 50,000 five-star reviews, and I personally received around 500 reviews from my time guiding at Rock Springs alone. It was the guests’ reactions, their gratitude, and the joy they experienced on the water that really made me realize how meaningful these moments were.
I loved being able to take photos for families, create those memories for them, and provide a safe, guided way to experience these natural places. That became something I truly wanted to recreate in a tour. I eventually discovered a route on the Santa Fe River that I thought was incredibly special, a spring-fed river with multiple springs, abundant wildlife, and opportunities to even swim. I spent a lot of time mapping it out and refining the experience because it felt like something that wasn’t really being offered in the same way.
Today, we’re about three years into that operation and have gathered over 500 five-star reviews across social platforms, which has just been incredibly rewarding to see. It’s also become a really personal place for me somewhere I bring my own family, including my kid. It never gets old.
Outside of this, I’ve worked in emergency medicine for nearly a decade, including time as both a paramedic and an ER nurse. That background has given me a very different perspective because I often see people on some of the hardest days of their lives. At the same time, being outdoors and building these experiences has shown me the importance of balance, of slowing down, and of spending meaningful time with family and friends.
For me, my life’s work is really about that contrast and being able to help people in critical moments in healthcare, and also being able to create moments of joy, connection, and appreciation for nature on the water. Both have shaped who I am today, and I feel very grateful to be able to do both.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not, it’s never been a smooth road! Anytime you start a business, there are a lot of hurdles and a steep learning curve. There’s also a lot you don’t even realize you don’t know at the beginning.
For me, the first year, and honestly into the second, was really about learning how to actually run a business. Everything from operations to systems to just understanding what it takes behind the scenes. I was still guiding tours while also trying to manage everything else like social media, bookings, accounting, payroll, taxes, and day-to-day logistics. It’s a lot to take on when you’re doing it for the first time.
Hiring was another big challenge. If you’ve never done it before, you don’t really understand how to find the right people or build a strong team. That was definitely something I had to learn through experience while also being in the field running tours myself.
I was fortunate to have support along the way, especially through mentorship and being part of a larger franchise system. Having access to people like Justin Buzzi and others in similar operations made a big difference because we could share ideas, troubleshoot problems, and it provided that additional level of support. I also brought over a lot of experience from working within established locations like Rock Springs and Titusville, which helped me avoid some mistakes and build more efficiently.
But overall, the first couple of years were a mix of learning, adapting, and figuring things out in real time. I don’t think starting a business is ever meant to be easy, and honestly, if it is, you’re probably not being challenged enough. The challenges are what force you to grow, improve systems, and become better as a leader.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I think what sets us apart is the combination of clear kayaks, small group sizes, and a highly immersive guided experience. Our tours are typically two to two and a half hours long and are limited to small groups, usually no more than 10 people, which creates a much more intimate setting on the water. Guests are able to stay closer to their guide, hear educational insights throughout the trip, and experience the environment without feeling crowded or rushed.
We also provide everything needed for the experience. Each tour includes clear kayaks, paddles, upgraded seats, dry bags, and goggles at no additional cost. The goal is simple: guests book their tour and show up, we handle everything else. From teaching basic paddling techniques to sharing information about the springs, wildlife, and history of the area, the guides are there to support the entire experience from start to finish. We also help capture photos along the way so guests can focus on enjoying the moment with their family and friends.
What I’m most proud of is that the experience is designed to feel both effortless and meaningful. It gives people a way to disconnect from crowds and reconnect with nature in some of Florida’s most beautiful spring-fed waterways. Whether someone is visiting for the first time or returning to explore again, the goal is always the same, to create a safe, educational, and unforgettable experience on the water.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
When it comes to finding a mentor or building a strong network, the most important thing is simply putting yourself out there. In today’s world, visibility really matters, being active across platforms, showing up consistently, and engaging with your industry are all part of building real connections.
I’ve been fortunate in that my mentorship came through the path I took into this business. I started working within the Get Up And Go Kayaking franchise at one of the original locations owned by Justin Buzzi, the founder of the company. That gave me direct exposure to someone who had already built a very successful business in this space, and that mentorship has been incredibly valuable.
As I’ve grown within the company and invested more into the operations I manage, I’ve been able to learn directly from him along the way. He’s very accessible, and having that kind of support being able to ask questions, get feedback on ideas, or talk through challenges has been a huge part of my development. It’s incredibly valuable to have someone who has already gone through the same stages of building a business and can offer both perspective and honesty when you need it.
For me, the biggest benefit of having a mentor is not just guidance, but clarity, someone who can either validate your direction or challenge your thinking in a productive way. That kind of outside perspective is hard to replace.
In terms of finding mentors or building a network more broadly, I think it comes back to consistently showing up. There are so many ways to connect now industry groups, local business organizations, online communities, and networking events. It really depends on your field, but the key is to stay engaged long enough and often enough that you start to find the people you naturally align with. Over time, those relationships develop into meaningful mentorships and collaborations.
Ultimately, I think having a mentor is one of the most important parts of growing in business. It accelerates your learning curve, helps you avoid unnecessary mistakes, and gives you the confidence to keep moving forward when things get challenging.
Pricing:
- $74.00 per Adult
- $59.00 per Child
Contact Info:
- Website: https://getupandgokayaking.com/locations/florida/gilchrist-blue-springs/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getupandgogilchristblue/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyansley
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jeremykade
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@getupandgogilchristblue
