The woman-owned business is on a mission to break barriers and create a welcoming, inclusive outdoor space
By Leah Berry | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Nature isn’t just the backdrop at Two Sisters Adventure Company – it’s the heart of the experience; a sanctuary for reconnection and rediscovery. And this woman-owned business is on a mission to break barriers and create a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone to reap the benefits of exploring the outdoor world.
“I’ve worked in this industry since the ’90s and have always kind of been bothered by how it’s dominated by people who are wealthy and white and fit and predominantly male,” owner Natasha Teasley says. “I really wanted to try and do something different, and I finally came to the realization that the only way you can make those changes is to be the owner of the company who feels empowered to make those changes.”
With that goal in mind, Natasha launched Two Sisters in 2022. Today, the company offers a variety of water adventures, including guided canoe, kayak and standup paddleboard trips as well as independent excursions and classes for those who need a little extra guidance. It also hosts five weeks of summer camp and fundraising hikes for Girls on Outdoor Adventure for Leadership & Science, or GALS, a program Natasha also directs.
The team includes eight employees under Natasha – many working part time – plus a few full-time summer camp staffers. Natasha’s sister, Rainbow Teasley, serves as camp director and a guide, while their mother, Cathy Teasley, “is a guide, but she’s also kind of my sounding board,” Natasha says. “I bounce a lot of ideas off of her, I get her feedback, and she helps with keeping up with the maintenance of all the equipment.”
Connecting with nature is deeply personal for Natasha, and she’s passionate about sharing that feeling with others. “I suffer from a lot of anxiety,” she says. “Being outdoors is that time that I can disconnect from that anxiety. For me, I feel my safest when I’m outdoors and away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
Two Sisters’ approach focuses on personalizing each guest’s experience. “Each individual comes in with their own set of needs and expectations,” Natasha says, adding that they gather information during registration in order to address any concerns “If I get a registration in, and they say, ‘Oh, I’m really scared,’ I follow up with an email and say, ‘OK, so what questions can I answer for you? Do you want to chat?’”
Group sizes are kept small – usually eight to 10 guests – to ensure a safe and supportive atmosphere on the water. Natasha says the team also does their best to remove obstacles that may contribute to anxiety or feelings of isolation – they meet people where they are.
“Everybody’s different, you know?” Natasha says. The staff often reminds guests that there’s no single “right” way to paddle – it’s all about relaxing your body and finding your rhythm. “Sometimes it’s a matter of pulling up beside someone in a kayak and saying, ‘Relax your shoulders, relax your spine, take a deep breath. You’re carrying tension, and if you’re carrying tension, you’re more likely to fall over,’” Natasha says.
Mindfulness plays a big role in the trips, and even on guided trips, the team focuses on ensuring the outings include quiet moments for self-reflection. “Some people go off and meditate,” Natasha says, “some go off and pray, some go off and put earbuds in and listen to their own music.”
Natasha recommends the sunset float as an ideal setting for meditation. “We spend a lot of time floating, just enjoying the sunset and talking in hushed tones,” Natasha says. “It’s amazing how … you can actually watch the stress dissolve as they sit there and just watch the sunset and listen to the birds.”
“For some people, it’s about getting out and actually doing the physical activity – paddling and using your muscles – and that’s great … the outdoors has a little bit of something for everyone. If you’re looking for a way to turn off the world, be quiet and still, and breathe fresh air, and relax your mind, the outdoors can provide that, too.”
– Natasha Teasley
Building confidence on the water is another key goal, and Natasha loves seeing guests grow more self-assured in their abilities. She says it’s empowering for people to realize this is something you can do, no matter who you are.
Natasha recommends beginners sign up for an evening trip. “Approaching darkness takes some of the stress off of feeling like people are looking at you,” she says, and notes that the trips are short both in distance and in time – just two hours – making them ideal for newcomers.
Two Sisters also prioritizes community engagement, connecting with groups like the LGBTQ Center of Durham and StrongHer TogetHer. Through its “Share the Adventure” scholarship fund, the company ensures financial barriers won’t stop anyone from experiencing the joy of paddling. “Every individual barrier, we try to think of what we can do to eliminate it,” Natasha says.
Natasha plans to start a Facebook group in the coming year “so that people can continue that community with one another, to find friends to paddle with outside of guided trips,” she says, in addition to securing some new equipment for the business. Two Sisters kicks off its season during the third week in March – in conjunction with Durham Creek Week, which raises awareness for the Bull City’s watersheds – and starts back in full force in April.
“People love what we’re doing,” Natasha says. “I am currently overwhelmed with the amount of love that Two Sisters gets. It’s been an emotional journey for me, because I had this little idea that’s turned into a bigger thing.
“And we love meeting new people – come out and join us sometime.”
Read more on local wellness this season in the December 2024/January 2025 edition of Durham Magazine.
