Seeing Entrepreneurship as a Global Human Desire
Our founder and CEO, Nick Hughes, will be sharing his experiences and insights while touring Southeast Asia over the next 11 weeks…
Ahoy! I am writing this from 30,000 feet above the Philippine Sea on my way to Jakarta.
As you may know, I have a fun habit of setting out on unique global tours to Founders Live cities when it’s safe and available.
After a few years of staying in the US and only being able to travel during ‘open months’ of Covid restrictions, this year I have set my sails for Southeast Asia, a corner of the world I have never visited, yet in which we already have a strong footprint.
Here’s my 2022 tour, tentatively scheduled for these dates and which might shift slightly depending on circumstances: http://tourmap.founderslive.com/
Leave Seattle on June 5
1 - Jakarta, Indonesia (June 6 - 13)
2 - Bandung, Indonesia (June 13 - 18)
3 - Manila, Philippines (June 18 - 26)
4 - Bali, Indonesia (June 26 - July 5)
5 - Palangkaraya, Indonesia (July 5 - 10)
6 - Palembang, Indonesia (July 10 - 16)
7 - Pekanbaru, Indonesia (July 16 - 20)
8 - Batam, Indonesia (July 20 - 23)
9 - Singapore (July 23 - 30)
10 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (July 31 - Aug 6)
11 - Bangkok,Thailand (Aug 6 - 15)
Back to Seattle on August 16
The Indonesian cities I will be visiting are already Founders Live cities. The others are meant for me to meet people with the plan of leaving each city with a quality lead or an agreed-upon new city leader to launch in those countries.
Traveling in this fashion is both challenging and rewarding. I still maintain a work ethic to the extent I can, no matter the country I am in, taking meetings and continuing to build Founders Live with our team. I find it weirdly attractive to push myself out of my comfort zone, and after each tour I notice subtle differences about myself when I get back.
One must maintain dedication to a schedule, a routine, and create habits they can stick to no matter the city and country. Exercise, quality nutrition, and a solid sleep schedule are very important to me. Also, finding work spots (and a great Airbnb) where quality wifi is available so I can take calls and work when I need to.
But the benefits of my travels and seeing people in their native state/city far outweigh the challenges and disruptions to normal routine.
Seeing other great cities and landscapes outside of the United States
Allowing me to understand different cultures and communities, which makes me a better global leader and simply a better human being
Meeting entrepreneurs and startups from various countries, feeling the kinship even though we may not even speak the same language
Experiencing Founders Live events and celebrations in vast corners of the world
Meeting and working with our various City Leaders whom I have known virtually for a while but never met in person
Deeper understanding of entrepreneurship as a HUMAN desire and activity
Realizing that many, many, many people around the world are as equally talented and deserving of resources and opportunities for their success as I am
I know I am truly blessed to be able to travel and build this great company. But you also have the ability to see other areas of the world while you work, and I’d highly recommend it. Given that the pandemic showed that most of us can maintain our productivity working remotely, I have found it doesn’t matter where I am with wifi, a roof, some food, and I’m all good. A little secret: it’s actually not that expensive and can be experienced for a few weeks or an entire year - I’ve done both.
This year, it’s 11 weeks and will be a trip of a lifetime. I hope you can follow along, as we’ll be posting updates throughout the journey. And maybe this puts a bit of a spark within you to stretch your wings and experience another corner of the world for a while.