By Jacqui Somen
Entrepreneur Vince Robichaud is the founder of Trailtopia, an adventure food company. He also works full time in vendor contracts for a large healthcare company. A perpetually curious person, he enjoys the challenge of building a business from home in his spare time.
Over the years, Vince has worked in a few industries from chemical manufacturing to healthcare technology, but cooking and adventure are his true passions. Vince has been the honorary cook for his adventures for as long as he can remember, but in 2013 one moment catapulted him into entrepreneurship. One night on a backpacking trip in the Sawtooth Mountains, his crew was sitting around the campfire raving about his home-cooked backpacking meals. They were enjoying their meals so much; they began to persuade him to start his own company. Vince joked, “If you come up with a name, I’ll do it.” His son threw out Trailtopia, it was a campfire consensus, and that was that.
When Vince launched Trailtopia, two things mattered: 1. The food must taste great; and 2. The bags must be designed exceptionally. In 2014, after months of development, the company released two categories of adventure foods — ramens and oatmeals. The company continues to place thoughtful care into ingredient sourcing, recipes, and packaging, and all three must meet Vince’s high standards.
Since then, Vince has navigated shifting from a one-man show in the kitchen cooking for friends to a nationally recognized brand that inspires adventure. Vince and his family bought a plant eight miles from his family home in Byron, Minnesota and renovated it on their own. To this day, his family members help out whenever they can, whether it is Vince running the show after hours, or his children helping out with the website, with marketing materials, or in the plant.
Today, Trailtopia offers 34 different meals for the outdoor adventure lover. The company makes breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts that can be cooked and eaten in the bag. Trailtopia offers gluten-free and vegetarian options. Each package is color coded for easy grabbing out of a pack or dry bag. Despite his busy schedule, Vince is still hands-on with every bag of Trailtopia that gets sent out and for now, he would not have it any other way.
