From little things big things grow

I really love the start of a new year. It’s a little bit cliché but I love taking the opportunity to reflect on the year that was, reset the barometer, and dream big for the year ahead. This time last year I was in Thailand for the last phase of my 3-month break after leaving the corporate world to start my own business. I was feeling excited but anxious and determined but scared that this refreshed way of thinking was going to create some impact far and wide for those that were brave enough to take the leap.

2016 was definitely a year of personal and professional growth for me. 12 months ago I felt like I was back at the start of my career, but this time there was one big difference, I was in control of my own destiny but with that I knew that I had a lot of work to do. So I’ve spent the last 12 months planting seeds, building programs and connecting with inspiring people to take Soulful Experiences to market and build stronger communities in Australia and overseas. I’m proud of where we’re at and excited about where we still have to go.

Starting out without the security of a corporate backing you, knowing your income is secure, is scary and exhilarating at the same time. There were times throughout the year I did wonder about the decision I had made. But having the belief and focus, I am now moving into 2017 and my little team is about to grow with the addition of my first full time event manager.

How are you feeling about your 2016? Did you accomplish everything you set out to achieve? Are you heading into 2017 with a fire in your belly to do great things?  What will you do to grow personally and professionally in 2017?

If the first couple of weeks back in the office is time for you to start your planning and thinking around what you’re going to do differently with your teams and clients in the year ahead, perhaps I can share what worked well for my clients this year. Focusing on creating soulful experiences with each client that I worked with in 2016 gave further evidence that this is what a large number of people want. How many times I sat down with a prospective client and shared what I like to do differently and then heard from them a resounding, “yes, that’s exactly what I want to create – the industry needs this”. If you want to do things differently in 2017 for your customers or your own people, I’d love to share what we did over the last 12 months and where I think there is opportunity for small business through to large corporations.

Social Venture Program 2017

One of the things I am really excited about is the 3rd Social Venture Program in Thailand in July. This experiential learning opportunity is uniquely designed to help individuals and corporates explore diversity with compassion and sensitivity, and to develop the ability to create meaningful and lasting change. If you’re looking for a program that will stretch you personally and professionally then this is it.

The strength of the program is not just the shared experiences between participants, but the unique locations that we were able to take them. We head into the Slums of Bangkok and remote areas of Thailand, and spend time with some remarkable people along the way. You can’t spend time with these leaders and not be changed as a person. The transformation that we see in individuals and the connections between those individuals long after the event is something words can’t describe.  

You can read more about this year’s program here and if you’re looking for new direction or professional/personal development in 2017 then check out www.socialventureprogram.com. This is one of few public offerings which means that anyone can come along and participate in this truly life changing experience.

We’re hiring…

If you have worked in the events industry and are jaded by the junkets and events for events sake, if you joined the industry to make a real difference to the lives of the community you work within, perhaps this is an opportunity for you. If you’d like to join a team that is delivering events with a purpose of building stronger communities then drop me a line and I’ll keep you in the loop. Applications open mid-January.

Claire Baines is the Founder of Soulful Experiences - an event and experience agency that engineers shared experiences that engage the head, the heart and the hands. We bring the values of your company, your people and the community together to deliver experiences that benefit all. Connect with Claire on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.