Creating a Sustainable Community in Fiji
Ben is the co-founder of TribeWanted, an exciting sustainable community on a Fijian island. The project harnesses the power of the internet to create a local "global" community. Check it out!
1) What are you currently doing with your life?
Running a Fijian island sustainable tribe from kitchen tables and coffee shops in East London. And planning next ventures!
2) What did you do before this?
Worked for travel start-up Madventurer. I also studied politics at university.
3) What was your moment of truth?
I was debating whether to book a flight to Fiji to try and negotiate a lease on an island on my almost full credit card, and I realised my Young Persons Railcard was about to expire. I got on the plane.
4) How did you plan for it?
I didn't do much practical planning, I just had to get the mindset right: "I’m going to chase this dream. it’s going to be bloody hard and will require lots of compromises, but I am up for it. let’s go."
Island time / online membership (planned) + media sales (uplanned). Future funding to come from a more innovative online crowd funding model and partnerships.
5) What have been the best and worst things about making this happen?
It changes. But over the last four years the hardest thing has been the funding. The lack of sustainable cash flow is a constant headache.
But the impact we make and the people I meet make this headache worthwhile. I’m confident it won’t last forever. Oh yeah, the military coup in Fiji was a bit of a nightmare as well.
Another amazing part is freeeeeeeeeeeeedom! And giving. Giving people new opportunities, experiences, perspectives - I know it's cliched, but it's completely rewarding.
6) What was the best advice you have received
The future of business is social. The more talented and well-educated people that get into social enterprise, the better for all.
Get ahead of the curve today, and don’t think too much about the eventual destination.
Enjoy the ride and do the right things along the way and it will come back to you and more.
7) What resources or information have you found really helpful?
This year I’ve found twitter used in the right way is fastest and most relevant source of everything I want to know. Amazing.
Outside of social media I stay connected by making sure I go to talks as often as possible.
In London:
Projects I follow:
Recent books:
- The Constant Economy by Zac Goldsmith
- Business Stripped Bare by Richard Branson
- Tribe by Bruce Parry
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