Gifts that go on thrilling
Source: St. Petersburg Times ()
By CHRISTINA REXRODE
Published December 11, 2007
Adam Michaels hunts down gifts for the person who has everything.
Everything, that is, except the opportunity to drive a dog sled, ride a bull, or take care of a bee colony.
Michaels' Colorado company, Cloud 9 Living, is a broker of fun, peddling so-called "experience gifts." That means it seeks out businesses that offer a cool way to spend an afternoon, vets them, then sells gift certificates for them for a commission.
Cloud 9 says it's growing rapidly: Its Web site launched last year, hawking adventure in eight cities. It now covers 40 metro areas, adding Tampa Bay this summer.
And it's not the only player in the "experience gifts" field: Atlanta-based Great American Days and New Jersey-based Xperience Days offer similar services.
Michaels and his business partner, John Augst, launched Cloud 9 after they bought surfing lessons for a buddy who was getting married.
The lessons were a hit.
"Especially compared to the typical wedding gift," said Michaels, "like plates or silverware."
Cloud 9's bestseller is a shotgun ride in a race car. But the company doesn't cater just to adrenaline junkies.
"We try to find things for every taste," Michaels said. "The person who doesn't want to jump in a fighter plane can have a hot stone massage or take a cooking class."
In an interview, Michaels, who is 30, focused on his company's skydiving and whitewater rafting options. He didn't mention that Cloud 9 also sells services in file organizing.
North Beach Windsurfing School in St. Pete Beach is part of Cloud 9's Tampa Bay armada. Britt Viehman, the owner, says that the new partnership with Cloud 9 hasn't funneled any customers his way so
But it's a solid idea, he was happy to point out, since windsurfing lessons make such …