Bonfire Adventures is celebrating 18 years in operation, a milestone reached while the company continues to be run by co-owners who were once married.
The anniversary comes against the backdrop of a leadership transition that followed the separation of its founders, introducing a new professional dynamic within the company’s top management.
Despite the personal changes, the travel and tours company has maintained its operations under a shared ownership structure, with both parties remaining actively involved in directing the business.
From Marriage to Boardroom Roles
Simon Kabu, one of the company’s co-founders and directors, has spoken about the challenges that emerged after the separation, noting that the most difficult part was learning to relate strictly as business partners.
According to Kabu, the transition required a clear shift in mindset, moving away from personal roles as husband and wife to formal positions as directors.
He explained that before the separation, business decisions were often influenced by the spousal relationship. Actions and compromises were sometimes framed within personal considerations rather than strictly corporate ones.
READ MORE: Sarah Kabu and Simon Kabu: A Timeline
Following the split, this approach had to change to ensure the company’s stability and continuity.
Navigating Equal Ownership
A key challenge in the transition was Bonfire Adventures’ 50/50 ownership structure. With equal shares, major decisions require agreement between both directors, a process that Kabu acknowledged was initially complicated by emotional factors linked to their former relationship.
Kabu stated that separating emotions from decision-making was essential. The company had to adopt governance practices similar to those of other firms where directors share no personal relationship.
This meant redefining boundaries and ensuring that discussions and resolutions were guided solely by business considerations.
Establishing a Purely Professional Dynamic
To sustain operations, the directors made a conscious decision to interact strictly within their professional capacities.
Kabu described the new working arrangement as purely director and director,” emphasizing that the emotional connection that once existed no longer plays a role in business dealings.
This shift involved abandoning spousal titles and expectations within the workplace and replacing them with clearly defined corporate roles.
The adjustment, while necessary, required deliberate effort to maintain professionalism and consistency in leadership.
Overcoming the Transition
According to Kabu, the transition, though challenging at the beginning, has been successfully managed. He indicated that the initial difficulties have since been resolved and that the company now operates on a stable professional foundation.
Reflecting on the process, Kabu said the hurdle was overcome and is no longer a significant issue for the business.
As Bonfire Adventures marks 18 years since its founding, the company continues to operate under shared leadership, demonstrating its ability to adapt to internal changes while maintaining its presence in the travel industry.
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