Story & Lesson Highlights with Tyson Schrader & Leslie Gonca Demirkazan of Conesus Lake

We recently had the chance to connect with Tyson Schrader & Leslie Gonca Demirkazan and have shared our conversation below.

Tyson & Leslie Gonca, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My daughter. She’s almost a year and a half old, and she brings joy to my life every day. Of everything I have done in my life, she is my greatest accomplishment.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the co-founder and editor-in-chief of an online travel and lifestyle magazine called Explore Conesus Lake. The website started as a travel blog driving traffic to a listing for a vacation rental I host on Conesus Lake, but it eventually grew into a larger ecosystem of articles, music recommendations, listings for attractions, restaurants, and local shops, and an e-commerce website. Currently I host my wife’s online bakery delivery shop as well as our vacation rental, with plans to open it up to other local shops and organizations. The focus is obviously on Conesus Lake NY, but with plenty of content related to Rochester, the Finger Lakes, upstate New York, and beyond.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My marriage. Leslie Gonca, my wife, taught me more about myself and about relationships with people than I ever learned growing up. She opened a new world for me, encouraging me to reach higher and to leverage my education, experience, and skills toward a more prestigious career as well as an entrepreneurial spirit. She is my muse and my inspiration. She taught me how to value myself.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Trust yourself and don’t let the louder voices drown you out. If you want something, go out and get it. No one is going to save you — like Kim Wexler says in Better Call Saul, “You don’t save me. I save me.”

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
To stand your ground and to persevere. There was a novel we read in school called “The Chocolate War,” where the protagonist defies the influences of his peers, the teachers, parents, etc. to refuse participating in a deranged social engineering game masquerading as a harmless fundraiser. He was picked on, ostracized, even beaten up, but he stood his ground. I will always march to the beat of my own drum proudly.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Honestly, building the website and travel magazine is a slow game. I didn’t earn a marketing or business degree. I’ve never held a marketing or web design job. The website isn’t my full-time job, but I dedicate the equivalent amount of time to it when I can. I’m a father and a full-time administrator for a fast-paced research lab, so late nights, weekends, and breaks are spent on marketing and publishing to the website. In three years, I’ve built up a modest following across multiple social media platforms — collectively it’s maybe 500 followers. We know that’s just a drop in the bucket compared to most influencers and businesses. So I hope that with enough time, content, and word-of-mouth advertising, I can build the website to become a larger presence around the Conesus Lake community and beyond — a place where locals and visitors alike can come to learn more about our lovely little lake and all the amenities it has to offer.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
All photography and images are my own.

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than