Following your heart in your work
When your heart tells you to do something, it’s hard not to listen. Or maybe a better way to put it: it’s painful when you ignore it. My heart for years had been telling me to live my passion, and work in travel. A year ago this week I was in Kamchatka in the Russian Far East (just across the Bearing Strait from Alaska) with my now wife Jess. I had heeded the call (with the help of my partner and investors), and we had just bought a small international expedition company owned by a “salt of the earth” Hungarian conservationist named Akos Hivekovics who I first met in Antarctica. This company became SoulBuffalo.
This trip to Kamchatka was an expedition to see brown bears. And we sure did see them. A hundred maybe? Pretty close up. We also helicoptered into the middle of an active bubbling volcano, and got to hang out with some indigenous reindeer herders and watch them do their thing (which involved lassos and knives and was more intense then we bargained for). This was our first time in Russia, and it was an eye opening experience. We also got to hang in St. Petersburg (one of the most visually stunning cities I’ve ever visited) and Moscow. Jess taught a yoga class with a friend in St.Petersburg. We hung with some really good people and got a glimpse into their world. We both came back with a deeper understanding of what makes Russia (and Russians) tick — politically, environmentally, and culturally. Russia wouldn’t have been my first choice of places to visit (we went solely because we’d bought the company and that was the trip going out at the time), but I’m sure glad we went.
This is what happens when we travel. We learn. We understand. Our perspectives widen. And that’s why my heart has long been telling me that experiential travel is what I have to do.
So here we are a year later. SoulBuffalo (our company) has found its core mission. The last 12 months have been download after download, learning lesson after learning lesson. Entrepreneurship 101. We decided pretty quickly that the game we wanted to play was purpose-driven expeditions (against the backdrop of wilderness) for companies, organizations and large groups. We expanded on Akos’ vision so that we can scale the company to maximize the number of people we can get out there. People want to work for companies with purpose and unique cultural values. We’ve figured out the formula.
Think about your annual company meeting or executive retreat. Can you see it in your mind? Now imagine that it’s in Iceland in the middle of the most pristine nature you can imagine.
The programming weaves conservation and environmental themes with the metaphor of leadership (or whatever else your company deems important). In addition to the learning track (that we collaborate on with your team), you’re in Iceland! If Iceland is not your thing, how about Morocco, the Galapagos, or Easter Island? How about learning about the re-introduction of wolves in Yellowstone while in the park by top scientists in the field as a part of your company meetings? This is what we do.
The traction we’ve gotten in the last few months is beyond exciting. We get to spend our energy helping people deeply experience and learn ab0ut what’s happening on Planet Earth — while helping companies deepen and expand their culture.
If you’d like to tell your company about SoulBuffalo, shoot me a note and we’ll help you frame what we do for your CEO, or your operations, benefits, and events department. We’d love to help you bring a milestone life experience to your organization.
