a new venture

So this update is long overdue, but I'm finally going to write a bit of news on my whole job/career/life transition. I know that since we moved back from Italy last summer, I've been hinting at some changes, but have yet to really give any details.

I guess that most of this started when we moved back from Europe...because after being in Italy, completely enjoying the time there, and seeing a dream actually happen...my mind began to really shift to a state of finding what I'm passionate about. Up until that point, I'd been at least content in my career, but it was becoming more and more clear, that it wasn't where my heart was. So I asked myself what I loved doing, what I did when I wasn't working, and what I like to spend my time on. I narrowed all my jumbled thoughts into three main things: travel, helping others (humanitarian work), sustainable living.

Luckily, these three concepts seem to work together quite well, as there are many volunteer- and eco- based travel companies and tours that already exist. I toyed around with several ideas with moving towards working in this field and starting a business of my own. This was all in brainstorm stage when the opportunity to go to Bangladesh came up. Of course, I was super excited to be a part of that, and on my way back, I knew that combining travel and helping others was exactly what I wanted to do. It's what I feel most passionate about, called to do, and alive while I'm doing it.

Indo Jiwa
In being proactive for this change to happen, even without knowing exactly what was going to fill the gap, I started to take steps to bow out of my real estate career. During the couple months after I returned from Bangladesh, I transferred my client base to other agents and had everything set up to continue as an inactive licensed agent, and now (as of Jan 1) work on a referral only basis from my past database. In that same time period a couple of opportunities came up and, with the help of a few friends, good connections, and a lot of email correspondence, I am now the US promotion and booking agent for Holidays with Purpose, a volunteer-travel & surf-charter tour company.

some of the projects and people
Started by a couple from Australia, Holidays with Purpose is based in Nias, Indonesia, and offers 10-day surf charter tours around the islands aboard their boat, the Indo Jiwa. Between scouting out the best surf breaks, travelers also help in different community empowerment programs set up throughout the islands. Through LeapIn, the non-profit sector of this company, many projects have been put in place to help the Indonesian communities, from dental aid and healthcare, clean water and organic gardening projects, to new construction, child education, and even surf/extra-curricular workshops....any of which, you can choose to be a part of during a tour.

the surf
I'm really excited to be a part of what this company is doing. There is so much potential I feel, to get more people involved in travel like this...and so I'll be doing what I can to spread the word here in the States (as currently most of the customers come from Australia and New Zealand). So now, I'm just doing some web marketing and will handle bookings. I hope to join them on a tour when the season starts this year in April...then I'll be able to promote it with first-hand experience! Although this isn't all that's on my horizon, I'm going to end this update here and promise to write more on what's coming up later!

Here's a small video to give you an idea of the projects that HWP is working on:

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For more info, here's the skinny:

Holidays with Purpose 2009 Season
Offering 10-day surf charters from April 6 - Oct 30
Special Early-Booking Discount until Feb 28 - $1999

••• for booking inquiries: email me at go@holidayswithpurpose.com •••

Also, I'm just getting HWP set up on the social networks, so check us out and be our friend!
MYSPACE • FLICKR • TWITTER • FACEBOOK
Hopefully, there will be more exciting things to come this year with HWP...videos, newsletters, updates...I'll keep you posted.