Life is a funny path. I never thought I would be making a living doing this. I had been planning trips since I was 18. I did sports entertainment weekends and ski trips for students. I finished my marketing degree and I had this hobby I liked to do on the side. It was just a hobby. I didn’t think Roadtrips Inc. would be my destination. But this is the journey.

After I finished my degree, I took a job in a big financial services company. After three months I realized it wasn’t for me. This began a period of soul-searching before actually launching my business. I read an inspiring book called “What Colour is Your Parachute” and I began to evaluate my career and asked myself what I really loved to do.

After some personal reflection and a few key conversations, I began to realize I loved my hobby of creating travel experiences for others. I realized I had a gift in hospitality and travel and I wanted to use that gift. I got back into the travel business, took an international perspective and the rest is history. But it’s interesting that I had to leave the travel industry to recognize I had this gift.

I am thankful for the guidance I received along the way. Very important to my journey was the mentorship I received from MEDA members Al and Agatha Doerksen. They took me under their wing. They gave me a place to go to learn and ask questions. They opened their door and gave me a chance to soak in their knowledge. They were important supporters early on in my travel career and gave me a lot of encouragement.

They modeled for me what MEDA is all about.

For me, MEDA means making an impact. It means contributing to God’s kingdom, working toward God’s justice and facilitating applications that solve justice and poverty. Every step that MEDA makes is a positive step. You can’t say this for all charitable organizations.

Every action we do in business – our suppliers, customers and staff – we are constantly giving decisions up to the Lord. The summation of all the little decisions – that is my business calling. And what a journey it is.