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Here’s to entrepreneurs and growing businesses
Editor’s Note: Nicholas Hurd, and Nico Santangelo are great friends and entrepreneurs. I want to see Tugby’s Bazaar succeed and the TReC space become the vision Pat Whelan had before he decided Mayor Restaino’s Niagara Falls was hopeless and walked away. There are hard things going on people don’t like to be honest about but Tugby’s could be a catalyst in the face of hopelessness like Centennial Park, the Main Street business district and the inability of the current administration and council to unite the city.
By Nicholas Hurd
Niagara Falls Adventures
I’m not sure how many of you know the full story behind this, so I wanted to take a moment to share it.
In 2018, after much prayer and clear confirmation from God, Ashley and I made the decision to start Niagara Falls Adventures. It hasn’t always been easy, but one of the most beautiful aspects of entrepreneurship has been finding ourselves in situations where only God could provide a way out.
When we started, Ashley managed the administration, and I conducted the tours. Between tours, I answered calls and drove for Lyft just to make ends meet. As many of you know, tourism during the winter months can be especially challenging, but nothing is too difficult for God. In 2019, I was blessed with the opportunity to become a recruiter for Lyft, and the way it all came together was nothing short of miraculous. God showed up right when we needed Him!
Growing up, my dad always taught me that if you’re going to do something, do it right. I applied that mindset to my role as a Lyft recruiter, and it paid off. In fact, the entire department was shut down because we recruited too many drivers! The income we received from that job was another miracle—God showed up yet again!
Around this time, we were given the chance to establish a physical office in a coworking space run by Niagara University. This opened so many doors and allowed me to connect with people I might never have met otherwise.
In 2020, when the world shut down and tourism was hit hard, we weren’t. Visitors gravitated toward outdoor activities, seeking walking tours, and since they couldn’t cross into Canada, they booked American walking tours instead. Despite the overall decline in tourism, our business numbers stayed remarkably steady—another example of God’s provision. Through Covid we also partnered with a company to provide virtual tours in which we were awarded “Best Tour Event in America”
In 2021, we launched Explore Niagara USA on YouTube and our YouTube channel was awarded “Best YouTube Channel in WNY” by Buffalo Spree magazine. We then expanded and launched Explore Niagara as a travel planning service designed to help educate visitors about all the things to do on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls. The more people spend locally, the more our community benefits. That same year, I was invited to speak at a tourism conference in Las Vegas and cast in season 5 of the entrepreneurship reality show “The Blox.” Both experiences were incredible opportunities, and in 2022, I returned for season 8, where I was honored to win runner-up.
In 2023, I had the privilege of participating in Leadership Niagara, where I gained a deeper appreciation for our county and leadership from many perspectives. The year ended with me giving the speech to represent our class and joining the Leadership Niagara board.
This year, 2024, has been a rollercoaster as I balance being a good husband, father, boss, and friend. But God continues to prove Himself faithful. We’ve come full circle, from learning how to run a business at 616 Niagara to now partnering with Niagara University to launch Tugby’s Bazaar—a place designed to help other entrepreneurs launch their products, give locals a taste of the Niagara Falls they remember, and provide tour guides with a special spot to bring their guests. Tugby’s has been a journey, but it truly is “Niagara Falls’ most wonderful store.”
I share all of this to say that each of you has been part of this journey with me, and I’m grateful. You’ve all played a role in leading up to this moment. Tomorrow is the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Tugby’s Bazaar, and I’d love for you to join us from 2-5pm for the general public and 5-7 p.m. for friends and family. There will be many surprises, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you.
