I’m an NYC based entrepreneur, analytical consultant, and founder of EpicThrills.com - an adventure lifestyle brand and private-sales network. This is my personal blog and a platform for discussions and musings around travel, adventure, economics, and entrepreneurship. I love to connect with folks who are doing and bulding interesting things. Hit me up on your network of choice below!Tumblr (3.0; @allenburt)http://allenburt.com/““The average traveler is spending something like … nine web sessions and visiting 21 websites in order to book their travel,””<br/><br/> - <em><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/30/travel/travel-agent-evolution/index.html?hpt=tr_c1" target="_blank">Travel + Leisure magazine</a></em>http://allenburt.com/post/16827283643http://allenburt.com/post/16827283643Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:49:58 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lymw8iQxDT1qau56eo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Was just reminded that I moved to NYC exactly one year ago today. Calling it a wild year would be an understatement. (thx to @timehop for the reminder) (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am" target="_blank">instagram</a>)</p>http://allenburt.com/post/16783481655http://allenburt.com/post/16783481655Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:07:29 -0500“I’m a big believer that you can try to change the world based on philosophy, doctrine, and belief. But I think the thing that really drives the world is hedonism, the pleasure factor. As far as I’m concerned, the best way to convert people to eating fresh local grown produce is to show them that local fresh grown produce tastes better.”<br/><br/> - <em><p><em>Danny Meyer’s Magic Touch: How To Create 4-Star Experiences And Lines Around The Block (via <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/1807783/danny-meyer-union-square-cafe-shake-shack-blue-smoke-north-end-grill" target="_blank">FastCompany.com</a>)</em></p> <p>I love Danny Meyer’s philosophy on food and restaurants, as it can be translated into any facit of human decision making.  If you want people to radically change their behavior (whether that be adopting a new political party, a healthier lifestyle, or using a new product), you must find a way to satisfy their inner “pleasure factor”.  As a race, we respond to self-interest and desire much more strongly than preached doctrine. </p></em>http://allenburt.com/post/16704459256http://allenburt.com/post/16704459256Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:46:25 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyiwqzWDPB1qau56eo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>At Barnes & Noble w/ Jess and can’t help but think that in 5-10 yrs the idea of ‘going to the bookstore’ will be looked at the same way as ‘going to Blockbuster to get a movie’ (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am" target="_blank">instagram</a>)</p>http://allenburt.com/post/16648707204http://allenburt.com/post/16648707204Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:28:11 -0500“Risky ideas can turn into smart businesses when core values and goals remain clear. As people adopt new technologies and are bombarded by mass-produced goods, they’ll increasingly search for emotional connection and individualization.”<br/><br/> - <em>Craig Dalton on the rise of DodoCase via <a href="http://t.co/rjFcp8ii" target="_blank">FastCompany</a></em>http://allenburt.com/post/16641572945http://allenburt.com/post/16641572945Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:14:38 -0500<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35546548" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Patagonia: One of my favorite places on earth.</p>http://allenburt.com/post/16601616628http://allenburt.com/post/16601616628Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:20:18 -0500““A foreman immediately roused 8,000 workers inside the company’s dormitories, according to the executive. Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea, guided to a workstation and within half an hour started a 12-hour shift fitting glass screens into beveled frames. Within 96 hours, the plant was producing over 10,000 iPhones a day.””<br/><br/> - <em><p>via “How U.S. Lost Out on iPhone Work”  <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/business/apple-america-and-a-squeezed-middle-class.html?pagewanted=all" title='"How U.S. Lost Out on iPhone Work" NYTimes' target="_blank">NYTimes</a></p> <p>This is why we will never be able to compete with China for manufacturing jobs.  Time to start educating America for the work of the future and stop trying to recall what is lost forever.</p></em>http://allenburt.com/post/16297198740http://allenburt.com/post/16297198740Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:57:34 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly611vmoO61qau56eo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Want.  It.  Now.  Cervelo’s newest triathlon bike, the P5.  Sticker price = $6,500.</p> <p>#bikelust</p> <p>(via <a href="http://www.wired.com/playbook/2012/01/cervelo-p5/" target="_blank">WIRED</a>)</p>http://allenburt.com/post/16243879003http://allenburt.com/post/16243879003Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:32:19 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu3yv5H6u81qau56eo1_r2_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Smashing … watermelons?</strong></p> <p>A few years ago, I found myself mountain biking through the rural countryside of Laos, right along the southern border of China.  I took this picture at the time and then immediately forgot about it, until today.</p> <p>I’m not exactly sure what went on here.  But, someone must really freaking hate watermelons.</p>http://allenburt.com/post/16239155920http://allenburt.com/post/16239155920Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:08:54 -0500““We’re an anti-tourist travel company,” says founder Allen Burt. “We work to craft affordable trips for real travelers seeking adventure and new learning experiences. It’s our attempt to inject the fire and adrenaline back into travel.””<br/><br/> - <em> The mission of EpicThrills.com ( via <a href="http://wiredinsider.tumblr.com/post/15097499050/adventure-resolutions" target="_blank">WIRED</a> )</em>http://allenburt.com/post/15579522906http://allenburt.com/post/15579522906Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:49:48 -0500<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxjgb8lXtA1qzleu4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.</p>http://allenburt.com/post/15568836448http://allenburt.com/post/15568836448Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:58:09 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx8xxfHOQ31qbrtqbo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Caving in Belize?  Add it to the bucket list!</p> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://epicthrills.tumblr.com/post/15295876601/caving-jungle-lodge-adventure-in-belize" target="_blank">epicthrills</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Caving & Jungle Lodge Adventure in Belize</strong></p> <p>Underground waterfalls, jungle bungalows, a 300ft rappelling drop into the ‘Black Hole’ and cold local beers at the lodge.  This is the other side of Belize …</p> <p><a href="http://www.epicthrills.com" target="_blank">ET Sale Ends Today at 7pm EST.  Visit Sale »</a></p> </blockquote>http://allenburt.com/post/15300779391http://allenburt.com/post/15300779391Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:09:52 -0500<a href="http://wiredinsider.tumblr.com/post/15097499050/adventure-resolutions">WIREDInsider: Adventure Resolutions </a>: <p>Big ups to the folks over at Wired for featuring EpicThrills.com as the destination to fulfill all 2012 adventure resolutions.</p> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://wiredinsider.tumblr.com/post/15097499050/adventure-resolutions" target="_blank">wiredinsider</a>:</p> <blockquote> <div><img height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6608695375_058bd345db.jpg" width="500"/></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div>Screenshot: <a href="http://www.epicthrills.com/" target="_blank">EpicThrills</a></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div> <div></div> <div><span>Too often our New Year’s resolutions look too much like work and not enough like fun. This year, let’s all agree that we need to get more exercise and save the resolutions for something a little more interesting — like kickass adventure vacations…</span></div> </div> </blockquote>http://allenburt.com/post/15126569911http://allenburt.com/post/15126569911Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:53:24 -0500<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwm6v5uXvc1qau56eo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>My cousin just finished a cross-country bike trip from the west coast of Washington state to Washington D.C.</p> <p>He rolled through Nashville a few weeks ago and my Dad snagged this shot.</p> <p>Congrats, Richard!</p>http://allenburt.com/post/14621160339http://allenburt.com/post/14621160339Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:52:17 -0500<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwk9oqv6OG1qzleu4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“The core of man’s spirit comes from new experiences”</p>http://allenburt.com/post/14569069402http://allenburt.com/post/14569069402Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:34:55 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwf07oe9KQ1qbrtqbo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://epicthrills.tumblr.com/post/14463235818/only-3-days-left-to-get-your-zip-line-on-in-the" target="_blank">epicthrills</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Only 3 days left to get your “Zip Line” on in the Amazon </p> </blockquote>http://allenburt.com/post/14463427260http://allenburt.com/post/14463427260Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:05:51 -0500<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwazywH5Hj1qau56eo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><img height="2132" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/post-inline/millennials-2.jpg" width="650"/></p> <p><img height="1162" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/post-inline/millennials-3.jpg" width="650"/></p> <p><strong>Our Generation</strong></p> <p>Fascinating insight into my generation.  FastCompany just released a series of infographics breaking down the inner workings of Generation Y, aka the “Millenials” - the generation that currently consists of anyone 18-29 years old. </p> <p>Understanding how the millennial generation “ticks” is critical to the current and next wave of consumer facing internet businesses.  Ignore at your own peril.</p>http://allenburt.com/post/14310895219http://allenburt.com/post/14310895219Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:49:43 -0500<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvxrsy0l9s1qau56eo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The crazy ones.</p>http://allenburt.com/post/13965305865http://allenburt.com/post/13965305865Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:24:34 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvn8540opG1qzleu4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>#WanderLust</p> <p>(via <a href="http://epicthrills.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">EpicThrills</a> )</p>http://allenburt.com/post/13892944479http://allenburt.com/post/13892944479Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:29:24 -0500“40% of all travel is booked through travel agencies, and one third of all ecommerce in the US is travel based.”<br/><br/> - <em><a href="http://www.tnooz.com/2011/12/07/news/where-is-the-consumer-interest-in-a-limited-google-flight-search/?utm_source=Tnooz%20Mailing%20List&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=9fb729d740-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN" target="_blank">TNOOZ</a></em>http://allenburt.com/post/13876592174http://allenburt.com/post/13876592174Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:40:43 -0500