Kristin, hanging out at Tough Mudder
OAKHURST — What do Tough Mudders and small businesses have in common?
They thrive on teamwork, according to the company running the popular 10-12 mile mud and obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to drag participants out of their comfort zone.
It’s an endurance event series that tests mental as well as physical strength — that’s a lot like small business, too.
Kristin and Steven Bateman, local parents and owners of Steve’s Pet Shop in Oakhurst, are no strangers to the Tough Mudder series. We can’t let this season pass without tipping our hat to them for what they did this summer.
Steve, lying down on the job
“Both Steven and I have run the Tough Mudder course several times, and we signed up for the newest California venue just outside of Sacramento,” Kristin explains. “After signing up and playing on the website I came across a Small Business Challenge.”
Aflac Insurance and Tough Mudder combined forces for a business promotion revolving around teamwork.
Like any Tough Mudder team, small businesses thrive on teamwork. That sense of accomplishment when you cross the finish line doesn’t come without a helping hand or three. So to help small businesses like yours succeed, Aflac and Tough Mudder are teaming up to reward small business owners whose team best exemplifies the Tough Mudder qualities of passion, dedication, creativity, and selflessness. All you have to do? Tell us what teamwork means to you. — Tough Mudder
And that’s what Kristin did.
Steve’s Pet Shop Team, L-R: Kyle McHatton, Augie Kleist, Kristin’s nephew John Flory, Kristin and Steve
“I wrote a short essay about our team at the store and how teamwork has helped us grow to where we are today. I got an email saying that we had won! They chose our store and gave us four passes for the Sacramento run.”
The entire store participated to build and strengthen their team in more ways than one, Kristin says.
They were excited to be chosen and we have photographic evidence.
“Being out in the mud and pushing through the pain and exhaustion brought our team members closer, even outside of the event.”
