Cheyanne Marston spent more than 30 years as an occupational therapist before she ever set foot in a kayak. Now she is betting that Blount County residents and visitors will embrace the sport the same way she did — and she has launched Cool Cat Kayak Co. to make it as easy as possible for them to try.
The business offers kayak rentals on Tellico Lake with an all-inclusive model Marston says sets it apart from anything currently operating in the county. Customers book and pay online, then simply show up. The kayak, paddle, life vest, safety whistle, map and a pre-launch briefing are all provided. At the designated return time, Marston and her two adult sons, who are helping her launch the business, handle pickup and breakdown.
“All you have to do is show up,” she said.
Rental packages range from two-hour outings at $45 for adults and $30 for children to full eight-hour day rentals at $99 and $65. Sunrise and sunset paddles are available at $50 per person, with a family package for two adults and two children at $175. The 2026 season runs May through October.
Marston is not new to business. She also owns and operates C.C. Marston & Company, a consultancy that advises older adults and their families.
Drawing on her previous entrepreneurial experience, she sees three clear target markets for the kayak business: tourists traveling through the Smokies region, local families and corporate team-building groups.
And her timing appears to be backed by market data. The Outdoor Industry Association’s annual trends report shows outdoor recreation participation grew 3% in 2024 to 181.1 million Americans. The report also identifies households with children as the fastest-growing cohort in the study.
To capture those segments, Marston has oriented the business toward making outdoor time accessible and fun for kids, with scavenger hunts built into outings and custom treasure hunts available for special occasions — an idea she developed from an experience she planned for her own grandchildren on Tellico Lake.
“I mailed a secret treasure map to their house,” she said. “They’re still talking about that treasure hunt a year later.”
Marston’s path to kayaking was rooted in her own health transformation. After losing 120 pounds over the course of a decade, she became an avid distance cyclist but found the sport difficult to share with her family. Kayaking filled that gap, and what started as a handful of boats for family outings grew into a fleet of 18 kayaks — enough to launch a rental business.
She sees a market gap as well. While kayak outfitters exist in the broader Smokies region, Marston said she is unaware of any comparable rental operation currently serving Blount County. The Harrison Branch recreation area, where she prefers to launch, is particularly well suited for beginners and families, with shallow entry points and calm water near the ramp.
Cool Cat Kayak Co. launched quietly in early summer 2026. Marston said she was nearly fully booked for the Fourth of July weekend within weeks of going live, drawing a mix of friends, word-of-mouth referrals and out-of-town visitors already planning trips to the area.
To build brand awareness, she plans to expand her social media presence and seek placement in local visitor centers and hotel lobbies.
Longer term, she envisions multiple launch locations and a fleet of 100 kayaks operating throughout the season.
Bookings and information are available through the Cool Cat Kayak Co. Facebook page at facebook.com/people/Cool-Cat-Kayak-Co/61574493578333. The business can also be reached by phone or text at (86) 468-5594.
