Diary of a Brand person after Techstars. On joy.

We’re slowly but surely making our way through the trough of sorrow, finding motivation and encouragement from mentors, suppliers, and others who all say, yes this is what we need, this is the future of travel.

We always knew we were onto something here. We knew that this, this is the next wave of travel. That this is unavoidable, undeniable actually because there really is no other way. Things simply can not go on the way they used to. Even if TRAVARAS never existed, I would want to educate people to be better guests. I would want for them to experience the Hawaii that I get to experience - not every day, sadly, I live in a bit of a bubble here in Princeville, but when I venture outside of that bubble, when I go to a community workday, for example, and stick my feet in the mud and my hands in the lo’i, I get to experience the real gift this place has to offer, the island beyond the resorts, the people whose families and ancestors have taken care of this land for centuries, the people we all need to be listening to. That’s the people who know, that’s the people who truly care.

We are currently working on getting more exclusive experiences that give you that feeling of truly regenerative travel, where you do a fun activity with an aspect of education, and give-back baked in, so that you can feel the positive impact your trip can have on the place you visit.

This motivates me. Talking to these people, our suppliers, who care so deeply for this place, and finding a way to help them do more, and allowing guests to come and experience all the beauty these people fight for every day.

This also motivates me to think about our business in a different way. After all, we set out to build something revolutionary. We are The Crazy Ones.

I believe that things can be different and with a belief like that, why would we go about building our business the same way everyone else is? I try to remember that when I feel bogged down by making yet another TikTok that needs to be posted.

What if we didn’t need to worry about CAC and ROI? What if we could simply look at the things that bring us the most joy and follow those? If we do more of that, wholeheartedly, honestly, vulnerably, and with so much trust that what we’re doing is important enough that people will see it eventually and connect with us. That a community will inevitably emerge because once people feel that level of love and care, they can’t help but be inspired to do the same. Call me na?ve, but I believe in Think Different, I believe in acting differently too.

I believe that our company culture starts with us and how we take care of ourselves and each other now. Especially during these hard, early days.

So, I write this next to the ocean because today simply felt like that’s what needed to happen. That’s what my soul needed. That’s where the joy compass pointed me.

So even if you’re super busy and glare with one eye at that never-ending to-do list while you are reading this, I encourage you to circle the things that bring you joy and drop everything else, even if it’s just for today.

xx L