Frequently Asked Questions
Drop me a Line!
Got a question, idea, or “is this a terrible idea?” moment? Use the contact form and send it my way. I’ll reply as I’m able—between the day job, house projects, and building the studio, response times might be a bit slow.
Before you wait on a reply, check the FAQ below. Your answer might already be here (or close enough to help).
Please remember: everything on Skinny’s 411 is general info and entertainment, not professional advice. You’re responsible for your own choices and safety out there—see the full Disclaimer and Privacy Policy for the serious details. Smoke signals and carrier pigeons are cool, but they still count as “at your own risk.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
General question about my sites
Why is it taking so long to get everything ready?
Short version: I’m one person trying to juggle a lot.
I work a full-time job, usually 6 days a week. On top of that, normal life stuff at home has to come first before I can touch the websites or studio. Then add in weather, money, and the fun of trying to build and enclose a studio with limited help, and progress moves slower than I’d like.
I’m not dragging my feet—I’m just trying to build this so it doesn’t fall over later.
Why did you start this project with no deadlines?
Because when you’ve never built something like this before, fake deadlines are a good way to set yourself up for failure.
Stuff goes wrong, especially when you’re learning as you go and doing most of it solo. Materials, tools, weather, time, and energy don’t always cooperate. I also can’t afford to bring in a full crew and just say “go.”
So instead of promising dates I can’t hit, I’m focusing on doing things right, in the right order, as the budget and time allow. That means things may take longer, but they’re less likely to get rushed and half-done.
Why haven’t you at least done a video?
Because right now my “studio” looks like a storage unit that lost an argument with a tornado.
I’m running everything out of an 8x12 room and using most of the house to hold the rest until the main studio is enclosed. I have thought about doing a “before it’s ready” video, but starting another project on top of construction is an easy way to not finish either.
Once the studio is usable and I can film without climbing over boxes and gear, videos will start rolling out.
Why are you not selling anything on Trickling Falls yet?
Couple reasons:
I still have some business and website pieces to finish before I’m comfortable flipping the “online sales” switch.
A Familiar Flame does have melts made, but I want the basic systems in place so orders don’t turn into chaos.
Product photos and promo shots matter, and the studio isn’t ready yet. Most of my Fresh Perspective Photography props are still in boxes.
So yes, products are in the works. Online sales will start once the foundation is solid instead of duct-taped together.
Are you a professional guide/instructor?
Nope. I’m not a licensed guide, survival instructor, therapist, doctor, lawyer, or any other professional title you’d put on a business card.
Skinny’s 411 is about sharing what I’ve learned, what I’m still learning, and what works for me. It’s general information and entertainment, not professional advice. You’re responsible for your own choices, safety, and gear out there.
For anything serious—health, safety, legal, or mental health—talk to a qualified pro, not a website.
(See the full Disclaimer for the official version of that.)
When will there be group outings, member adventures, or in-person events?
That’s the long-term goal: outings, member adventures, and events where people can tag along and learn in real time.
But those things require a few non-negotiables:
A stable base of operations (studio + systems)
Time to plan and scout safely
Proper paperwork and waivers
Enough bandwidth that I’m not half-focusing on keeping everyone alive
So: yes, that’s the direction, but there’s no public schedule yet. When it’s ready, it’ll be clearly announced on the site (and over at Trickling Falls Country Emporium as well).
How can I stay updated on Skinny’s 411 and Trickling Falls?
For now:
Check back here on Skinny’s 411 for updates and new pages.
Keep an eye on Trickling Falls Country Emporium (TFCE), which links over to this site and will mention Skinny’s 411 projects and A Familiar Flame progress.
If/when you see an email sign-up or newsletter box appear, that’ll be the best way to get updates without having to keep refreshing.
Plans, timelines, and features can change as things grow, so what you see now is a work-in-progress, not the final form.
Navigation & Website Structure
What’s the difference between Skinny’s 411 and Trickling Falls Country Emporium?
Think of it like this:
Skinny’s 411 = the information and adventure hub
Outdoor skills, trail talks, “Outdoors with Skinny!”, “Coles Cuisine” / “Cooking with Coles,” experiments, reviews, and general “how I do things” content.Trickling Falls Country Emporium (TFCE) = the shop and brand hub
This is where A Familiar Flame wax melts and other products live, along with updates about the Creative Cabin, studio, and future product lines.
Right now, both are still under construction, so there’s some overlap and a lot of “coming soon.” TFCE links over to Skinny’s 411 for deeper info and future episodes.
Where do I find legal / boring-but-important stuff like the Disclaimer and Privacy Policy?
On both sites, look toward the bottom of the page (footer) for links like:
Disclaimer – covers risk, safety, outings, food experiments, and all the “don’t sue me, use your brain” details.
Privacy Policy – explains what data the site collects and how it’s used.
If you’re ever unsure, scroll to the bottom of any page and look for those links. They apply to anything you do on the site.
Where do I contact you from each site?
On both sites, look for a “Contact” link in the main menu or in the footer.
Use that form for questions, ideas, feedback, or to flag something that looks broken.
Same person (me) is behind both Skinny’s 411 and TFCE, so it all goes to the same brain.
Just keep in mind reply times might be slow while the studio and sites are still being built out.
Where will the shop and products be when they’re ready?
When online sales go live, you’ll see:
On TFCE: a clear Shop or Store section in the main menu, with A Familiar Flame and any other product lines listed.
On Skinny’s 411: links pointing you over to TFCE for anything you can actually buy (wax melts, future merch, etc.).
Skinny’s 411 = learn about it.
TFCE = buy it (once everything is ready).
Where will I find videos, episodes, and “Outdoors with Skinny!” content?
As things roll out:
Skinny’s 411 will organize episodes and articles under sections like Outdoors with Skinny!, Coles Cuisine / Cooking with Coles, and other topic-based menus.
Individual posts or episodes will link to any relevant gear, locations, or products—sometimes pointing you over to TFCE if there’s something related you can purchase.
Until everything is fully built, you might only see a few sections or “coming soon” labels. That’s normal while the structure is still being nailed into place.
Content, Sharing & Support
Can I share your content with other people?
Yes—please share links to the site, episodes, and posts.
What you can’t do is download full videos, photos, or written content and re-upload them as your own somewhere else. That includes social media, other websites, and any kind of “I’ll just repost it and give credit” situation.
If you want to use something in a way that isn’t just linking (like a screenshot for a presentation or a quote in an article), send a message through the Contact page first so we can sort out what’s okay.
Do you take sponsorships, free gear, or paid reviews?
Right now, everything you see is independent and out-of-pocket.
In the future, there may be:
Sponsored content
Gear sent in for testing
Affiliate links
If that happens, it will be clearly labeled so you know what’s what. Even if a company sends something or pays for a segment, any opinions given will still be honest. If something’s junk, I’m not going to tell you it’s great.