Meet Chap and his outdoor used gear company, Rerouted. Follow along on his journey from outdoor educator, climbing dirt bag, and Las Vegas poker player and his infinity to start businesses along the way. His love for the outdoors and problem solving has led him to an innovative idea that addresses an issue many of us have … what to do with the extra gear in our garages.

Q: What’s your name, title, business?

A: Hello! My name is Chap Grubb. I am the CEO of Rerouted. 

Q: What does your business do?

A: We are revolutionizing the used gear industry with a trusted, online marketplace that is centered around frictionless buying, selling & donating used gear.

Q: Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.

A: Oh boy, this is an epic tale. In short, I have always been a self starter. As a youth, we were always starting small businesses - lawn mowing, pizza making, lemonade stands. I never liked the thought of working for others. I graduated from college thinking that I would start a wilderness school (still on my radar). I lived in a Westfalia for years after starting a house painting business in the Front Range. My life in the van taught me that I was scary good at playing poker. 

When I ran out of cash, I started lifeguarding & teaching at the local afterschool program in Moab where I pushed them to start Outdoor Education programs. One year of teaching was enough (too many rules) and I sold my truck to try out professional poker. After a month in Vegas (and way more success than I deserved) I decided that was my plan for the short term. 

I played poker until I embarked on my next venture. A climber’s campground in Taos, NM named Hidden Rift Campground. That venture ran us into issues as the local community was unwilling to even begin a conversation. After shutting down that project, it left me thinking to myself, “What was the point of Hidden Rift? Why was that the business I wanted to start?” The answer was because I wanted to facilitate access & education to the outdoors. Thus, Rerouted was born due to one simple question from my fiance (now wife), Samantha, “Will you please clean out the gear in the garage?”

It has been years of grinding to get to where we are today. Cross country traveling, events & partnerships, so many people, so many questions & an infinity of used gear.

Q: What was the most powerful lesson you learned on this journey?

A: To be flexible and ready to put in impossible effort. If starting a company were easy, everyone would do it. In order to build something incredible, you need to learn from every interaction, implement data driven decisions & never quit working. You must trust your instinct, make a decision & commit. 

Celebrate the littlest wins. A 5 star review, a new customer or a sale. This is a tough road with many obstacles - every boost helps.

Q: Why did you apply for the SCAPE Program?

A: We applied for SCAPE because we saw an opportunity to work with (and learn from) some of the smartest people in business & the outdoor industry. It is a rare accelerator that provides so many resources for outdoor adjacent businesses. The combination of skill & network (plus the chance to live in Durango, CO) were too good to pass up.

Q: What companies inspire you the most (local, national, worldwide)?

A: Hmm, I am so new to being local here. This is a tough one. I have heard really special things about Durango Joe’s operation. Additionally, we have gotten tons of inspiration so far at the newly renovated Durango Hot Springs. 

There are a ton of really admirable aspects to Patagonia’s mission. I hope to emulate their dream to build companies that last for 100 years while constantly improving the environment around them. I have high regard for the Access Fund. They are a National Climbers Coalition that facilitates recovery & maintenance projects around the world for climbers. They work with private landowners to agree to terms with local climbing communities. 

I have no love for underhandedness & surveillance capitalism instigated by the massive worldwide data industry. However, their deceits certainly inspire me & my team to work harder to offer a better solution. 

Q: What do you love most about the Four Corners?

A: I am a high alpine desert brat. I never want to live in any other environment. Mountains, rocks & great weather are my bag. I am always going to have rock climbing in my heart, no matter how frequently I can carve out time to get to the crag. I love that the local crags are less than 10 minutes away from my house. How lucky am I to live somewhere so spectacular??