Placing It All on the Line: The Journey Behind Medina Adventure Company

jsustersic
Nov 5
4 min read

“The measure of a life isn’t what you earn, but what you create that lasts.”

At 52, I found myself standing at the edge of everything I’d built — and realizing the only way forward was to leap toward something that actually mattered.

Then, life handed me a gift I didn’t expect — time.

Time with the people who matter most. Time to breathe, to reflect, to repent, to reconcile — and to recognize that “someday” had quietly become a dangerous illusion, as life filled with more and more distractions and less and less meaning.

I realized I’d spent years chasing the wrong kind of adventure — measuring success by distance and titles instead of depth and connection. That moment became a mirror, showing me the path I was on wasn’t leading anywhere worth going. It was time to ask: What if the real journey begins when I stop chasing and start creating something that lasts?

That question gave birth to Medina Adventure Company, Inc. — not from a spreadsheet, but from a conviction. From a deep desire to create something of real value — something that helps families like mine reconnect to what truly matters.

The Vision

At its core, Medina Adventure Company isn’t just a business. It’s a promise.

A promise to help people rediscover the joy of connection — to their families, to nature, and to themselves.

Through luxury RVs, destination trailers, and glamping tents, we’re creating experiences that make adventure accessible, comfortable, and unforgettable. But more than that, we’re building a movement rooted in one simple belief:

“Adventure isn’t about distance. It’s about presence.”

Our brand’s mission says it best: Live stories worth telling.

What We’ve Done So Far

The past year has been equal parts vision, risk, and relentless faith.

We officially formed Medina Adventure Company, Inc. as a C-Corporation, funded through a ROBS (Rollover for Business Start-Up) — transforming years of retirement savings into a new beginning.
We developed a detailed five-year roadmap for growth — from startup to full-scale outdoor adventure brand.
We built the foundation of our digital ecosystem — a WIX-based website, SEO-optimized product pages, connected retail and rental operations, and cohesive branding across every platform.
We’ve created an immersive trade-show experience unlike anything else — a 26-foot tipi transformed into a fully realized indoor retail store. Step through its open canvas doors and you’re surrounded by curated adventure gear, apparel, and keepsakes displayed beneath the soft glow of lantern light. The atmosphere blends the spirit of the wild with the craftsmanship of a modern outfitter, evoking both nostalgia and possibility. Outside, an inviting counter space anchors the scene — a place for conversation, product demonstrations, and stories shared in the flicker of campfire light.
We’ve rooted ourselves locally — supporting youth sports, connecting with Medina County families, and aligning the business around community storytelling, not corporate polish.

Each of these milestones came from long nights of spreadsheets, sketches, and sheer belief. No shortcuts. No guarantees. Just the conviction that this matters.

What’s Still Ahead

The road forward is steep — but it’s the climb I’ve chosen.

Here’s what’s next:

Expanding our rental fleet: luxury Class A and C motorhomes, destination trailers, glamping tents, e-bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Launching our brick-and-mortar retail and rental hub in Medina County — a space where people can rent, shop, and share stories.
Developing our outdoor retail line — branded apparel, gear, and custom keepsakes that carry our story into homes across the country.
Building our Medina Adventure Podcast — sharing insights, stories, and the realities of starting a family-centered outdoor company from the ground up.
Continuing to align with local events, fairs, and sponsorships to stay rooted in the community that inspired this journey.

And perhaps most importantly — learning to navigate the fine line between risk and reward, fear and faith.

Why It Matters

At this stage in life, the easy road would have been to stay comfortable. But comfort rarely creates legacy.

This company isn’t a reinvention — it’s a reclamation. It’s a statement that value isn’t defined by what we accumulate, but by what we contribute.

For me, Medina Adventure Company is more than a business. It’s proof to my children that belief in yourself isn’t theory — it’s action. It’s the courage to trade certainty for purpose, and comfort for conviction.

At this stage of life, I don’t want to be impressive. I want to be impactful. I’m placing everything on the line — not out of recklessness, but out of reverence for what life still has to offer. Because the edge between safety and possibility? That’s where life actually happens.