Gotta Go Prep didn’t start as a business idea. It started as a way of life.
Long before there was a website, a store, or a logo, I was just someone who had been through enough unexpected situations to realize how fragile “normal” really is. Power outages that lasted longer than planned. Severe storms that shut everything down. Times when you couldn’t just run to the store and grab what you needed. Those moments stick with you, especially when you’re responsible for more than just yourself.
I learned pretty quickly that being unprepared turns small problems into big ones. When the lights go out, and you don’t have a flashlight. When the heat goes off, and you don’t have a backup way to stay warm. When clean drinking water or basic medical supplies suddenly aren’t easy to get. Those situations don’t just test your comfort—they test your ability to stay calm and think clearly.
How Real-World Emergencies Shaped My Preparedness Mindset
Over the years, I went through just about every kind of disruption you can imagine. Winter storms. Power failures. Supply shortages. Medical scares. Financial stress. Each one added another layer to what I understood about emergency preparedness.
I didn’t learn it all from books or YouTube videos. I learned it because I had to live it.
And I’ll be honest—some of my biggest lessons came from getting it wrong.
There were times I thought I was prepared and found out I wasn’t. Times when I didn’t have enough food, water, or medical supplies. Times when I assumed I could just run to the store. Those moments taught me exactly why having a survival kit, emergency supplies, and a plan matters.
Learning From Mistakes and Building Better Emergency Kits
Every mistake pushed me to get better.
I started refining what I kept on hand. I focused on things that were practical, portable, and useful in real emergencies. Not gimmicks. Not fear-based gear. Real-world items like first aid kits, water storage, emergency food, lighting, and backup power.
Preparedness became less about “just in case” and more about peace of mind.
I wanted to know that if the power went out, if roads were closed, or if help was delayed, I could take care of myself and my family.
Why I Created Gotta Go Prep
Before long, people around me began asking questions.
What should I keep in my car?
How much emergency water do I really need?
What goes in a proper first aid kit?
How do I build a 72-hour emergency kit?
That’s when something clicked.
I realized most people want to be prepared, but they don’t know where to start. They’re overwhelmed by conflicting advice, expensive gear, and fear-driven messaging. They don’t want to be survivalists—they just want to be ready for real-life emergencies.
That’s why I created Gotta Go Prep.
A Simple, Real-World Approach to Emergency Preparedness
Gotta Go Prep is about making preparedness simple, affordable, and realistic. It’s about helping everyday people build emergency kits, store clean water, and have the right supplies on hand when something unexpected happens.
Whether it’s a winter storm, a power outage, a medical emergency, or an evacuation, being prepared means you don’t have to panic. You already have what you need.
Everything behind Gotta Go Prep comes from lived experience. Real storms. Real mistakes. Real lessons learned the hard way.
This isn’t theory. This is what actually works when the lights go out.
Gotta Go Prep was built on the belief that you can’t control every emergency—but you can control how prepared you are.
And that belief is what led me to start Gotta Go Prep.
Come see how we can make a difference.
–DW Murphy, Founder and Owner, Gotta Go Prep
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