If you ask almost anyone where they’d like to visit most in the world, chances are they have a ready answer: some uncharted destination, some future hope to travel into the depths of a desert, to the heights of the tallest mountains, basking in tropical heat waves, wandering through the subzero tundra. (It’s true, people want to visit there, too.) Our world is a massive mystery. It seems, to the untrained eye, a place that contains such vast differences even from one block over let alone counties and states and nations away. Imagining the things we could learn from a new place and a new perspective is enough to leave us struck with silence, in awe of this ever-changing planet we all inhabit together.

Part of the Manifesto urges us to travel often. When I think of this particular reminder, I am able to think back on the handful of places I’ve been lucky to see around the world and remember the experiences, the challenges, and the beauty of each place. Digging deep into what other places have to offer us is a crucial step in being open to newness, open to being changed from the inside out. As people we have an unexplained tendency to reject things we don’t understand, to walk away from something if it’s too different or too unsettling. I think the point of being somewhere new is to feel a little uncomfortable, a little lost, and always prepared to adapt.

This particular video of a 12,000+ mile drive around America is a stellar example of what the concept of wandering, of losing yourself in the journey, can look like. (Lombard Street in San Francisco!) Where will your next cross-cultural (or cross-continental) adventure take you? Approach your next destination, whether near or far, with intention, with high hopes, without inhibitions, and with the anticipation of discovery. 

Starting tomorrow morning, I will be cruising thru Albuquerque, Oklahoma, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Greensboro and Raleigh on i-40 spreading the word and introducing Holstee to people and shops along the way, finally stopping in Wilmington, NC; home to the third-largest production studio in the US, (who knew?!) which also holds the largest special-effects water tank in North America (saweeet!). 

I have a target list of shops to hit, but if anyone has any strong recommendations for shops I must see, please leave a comment or drop me an email --> mikey@holstee.com. 

Our fire is fiercely burning to connect with as many people as possible and partnering up with independent shops that share some of the same values is critical. 

As I make my way, I'll upload pics and short videos to share the experience. 

Fingers crossed I run into some interesting and passionate people along the way and that I find a few sunsets like these!! Wish me well. :D 

As we prepare to launch our online shop next week, we've taken some time to reflect recently. Just 6 months ago, we were weighing the pro's and con's of quitting our jobs, amidst a growing recession, to start more than a new company, but a new lifestyle for ourselves. The most rewarding part of this journey continues to be the amazing, inspiring people we have met with Holstee as the catalyst. In light of this, we have decided to set out to the golden coast and meet with as many like minded folks as possible. It doesn't matter if you are a revolutionary magic soap maker, a progressive under wear designer student, or a lazy environmentalist, we want to connect on this trip! A quick break down of where we will be when: San Diego: November 19 + 20 Los Angeles: November 28 + 29 Santa Barbara: November 30 Santa Cruz: December 1 San Francisco: December 1 - 4