Today we’d like to introduce you to TJ Mack
Hi TJ, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Float the River all started from a long-distance relationship between two outdoorsy nature-loving individuals. Savannah and TJ started dating when TJ was living in Houston, but he spent most of his time exploring in the areas surrounding Central Texas, in the great outdoors.
Gathering a group of friends, a cooler full of refreshments, and a waterproof Bluetooth speaker to float down the river was is TJ’s idea of heaven. The couple was tired of the long distance relationship so TJ decided to move to Akron where Savannah was pursuing her PhD in Analytical Chemistry. Savannah, a lover of all things adventure and outdoors introduced TJ to the Cuyahoga River. TJ told her about the fun he used to have floating the Frio, Comal, and Guadalupe rivers and they realized nobody was renting tubes on the Cuyahoga so they decided to buy a few of their own and float with some friends. After multiple trips floating trips, they received the same feedback from everyone they took with them: “THIS IS SO FUN!!” And that…is where the concept for a Cuyahoga focused float was born.
As TJ & Savannah learned more about the river’s history they realized that it still had a negative connotation because of the fire 50 years prior. Much of the surrounding community still saw the river as dirty, so Savannah facilitated scientific experiments on the water quality of the Cuyahoga River as well as other local waterways that are used recreationally. The results showed that the Cuyahoga was just as clean as, and often cleaner than, these other waterways. (Which can be attributed to all of the hard work that the community and stewards have put into this now beautiful waterway!)
Motivated to spread a more positive outlook of the Cuyahoga the couple decided to start a social venture, renting tubes, kayaks, and rafts on the river to give people a positive emotional experience associated with the Cuyahoga River by way of ecotourism. To help continue the river’s progress, they hold yearly river clean-ups, donate to river stewards, and spend their own personal time ensuring the river can be used safely and sustainably. The idea has grown into a full-fledged, self-sustaining, business that positively affects the local community around the river, as well as the 2+ million annual visitors to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, not to mention the vast amounts of wildlife that could be negatively impacted by improper use or mistreatment of the river.
Float The River (FTR) is an ecotourism company providing a full-service floating experience on the Cuyahoga River, in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.
FTR’s mission is to create a vibrant and sustainable recreational experience on the Cuyahoga River. It is a company-wide goal to change perceptions about this beautiful river and to show what caring enough about something can truly accomplish. In this process, they hope to promote sustainability in their customer’s everyday lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any startup, our journey had its fair share of challenges. When we started, we had zero funding and zero experience running a business like this—just a passion for the river and a vision to create something special.
Our first hurdle was figuring out how to start with no money. We reached out to over 100 similar businesses across the country, asking questions, learning from their successes (and mistakes), and eventually finding a mentor who helped guide us through those early days. To raise initial funds, we entered pitch competitions in Akron, which helped us secure a few thousand dollars—just enough to get started. But even that wasn’t enough, so we took a huge risk and sold pre-sale tickets before we even had the operation fully set up. Thankfully, the gamble paid off.
From day one, the community embraced us—people were excited to get out on the river, and word spread quickly. Each year, we’ve seen exponential growth, but that growth has come with its own learning curves—like navigating permits, ensuring safety, and scaling our operations while maintaining a great customer experience.
Through all the ups and downs, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to making the Cuyahoga River a go-to destination for outdoor fun and adventure. Seeing the community rally around the river and embrace it in a positive light makes all the challenges worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Float the River?
Float the River is an ecotourism company that provides a full-service river floating experience on the Cuyahoga River in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Our mission is simple: to create a vibrant and sustainable recreational experience on the Cuyahoga River while changing perceptions about this once-infamous waterway.
We specialize in hassle-free tubing, kayaking, and rafting experiences—we provide everything you need, from high-quality equipment to transportation, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the river. Our goal is to make it as easy and fun as possible for people to connect with nature, unplug, and experience the beauty of the river in a way that fosters appreciation and conservation.
What Sets Us Apart?
We’re not just a river tubing company; we are river advocates. Through annual clean-ups, donations to river stewardship groups, and educational initiatives, we ensure the Cuyahoga remains a place for both adventure and wildlife to thrive.
Sustainability & Conservation – We promote responsible recreation and sustainability. Every customer interaction is a chance to change the way people think about the river and how they care for the environment.
Unmatched Customer Experience – We take pride in making every trip seamless and fun. Whether it’s our friendly team, high-quality equipment, or efficient process, we make sure every guest has an unforgettable time on the water.
Deep Community Roots – We love supporting local businesses and work with nearby breweries, coffee shops, and restaurants to create exclusive perks for our floaters. Our wristband program partners with businesses that offer special discounts to our customers, making it a win-win for both floaters and the local economy.
Brand Pride
We are most proud of the role we’ve played in redefining how people see and interact with the Cuyahoga River. For years, the river was remembered for the infamous fire, but now, it’s seen as a place of adventure, community, and renewal. Seeing thousands of people enjoy it every year—and hearing their excitement—is the biggest validation of our mission.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Just start. Don’t wait until you have everything perfectly mapped out—because you never will. The best way to learn is by doing, not by overanalyzing every possible scenario. Too many people get stuck in “analysis paralysis,” trying to perfect their plan before taking action. But the truth is, you’ll learn more in the first few months of actually doing it than in years of planning.
Be prepared to fail fast and adapt quickly. Every mistake is just a lesson in disguise, and every setback is a chance to improve. The key is to keep moving forward, make adjustments as you go, and trust that you’ll figure things out along the way. Bet on yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.floattheriver.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/float_the_river
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floattherivercuyahogafalls/
