Graduate student Blake Norman and University of Texas graduate Chance Moore noticed a growing need in the Searcy community. The town was near multiple outdoor attractions, such as Pinnacle Mountain, Greers Ferry Lake, Buffalo National River, Blanchard Springs and the Ozark Mountains. Students loved the outdoors, but they often had to travel to Little Rock or Conway to get the necessary supplies. Norman and Moore decided to create Beyond Boundaries Outdoor and Adventure, an outdoor recreation store that opened July 9 in Searcy. According to Moore, the idea for Beyond Boundaries began in March 2012 when he was floating down the Little Red River in Heber Springs, Ark. Someone saw him in his kayak and was interested in renting it from him. Soon, he and Norman were meeting over cups of coffee at Midnight Oil to discuss the idea. Norman had just entered the Harding master's of business administration program, so he was eager to get involved in the business world. "The business is fun and gives me real world experience, but the MBA program gives me the theoretical framework, where starting a business challenges you to the real world problems," Norman said. Norman and Moore continued to meet daily to complete a business plan. While attempting to partner with representatives of prominent outdoor retail companies, including such names as Patagonia, ENO and Brooks, the duo was often rejected. Moore credited their success to persistence and dedication to a larger vision for the company founded on three primary principles: high quality, good prices and exceptional service. "It is our goal to get people outside, be active, get them off the couch, to go and do anything outside," Norman said. "We live in The Natural State, and we want people to experience their surroundings. We try to be advocates more than businessmen because our main goal is to create a culture in which people go and do." Dr. J.D. Yingling, associate professor of kinesiology, was a mentor and supporter to both Norman and Moore. He followed their business plan closely and was excited by their diligence and energy. "I was impressed with the business plan that Blake and Chance presented," Yingling said. "I told them that I thought Searcy was ready for what they were going to offer through Beyond Boundaries. We in the Kinesiology Department are excited about the opportunities that are being added for Harding students to be involved in outdoor activities." Norman and Moore were "greenhorns in every sense," according to Moore. Norman was studying in business, but he had no prior experience. Moore was an engineer with even less business knowledge. However, the two overcame astounding odds by developing a business plan and getting approved by large retail suppliers. They also renovated an old building to fit their purposes. The pair purchased a 193os-era gas station that had the first carwash in town. Moore and Norman "poured their hearts and souls into the renovation," and, on April 1, began paying rent. Moore called it "crazy." "Crazy in that we are conducting business in a brickand-mortar building in the downtown district of Searcy, a 'David' to the 'Goliath' of the modern-day retail malls and strip centers," Moore said. "But we believe in small business. We believe in downtown districts. And we believe in the power of a smile over the power of grandeur." The two friends' undertaking was, at heart, about Searcy. "We wanted to create something unique," Moore said. "Something this town could embrace as part of its character and personality." Landis Tindell/JP Baker "Having grown up in Arkansas, I have always loved being outside and being active." Graduate Blake Norman 181 •
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