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The other day I was feeling down. I was chatting with my mom, telling her I think I need to get out of Albany for a bit…try to grab on to some new energy, try for some new scenery. Not long-term, but maybe for a month or so. She asked me if I travel to escape. I said yeah, of course, isn’t that why most people travel? As an escape to their everyday lives? To try something new and exciting, to add a little spice?

She responded…yeah, but like, do you use it as an excuse to run away?

I didn’t answer. Probably because she had a point and it made me feel like a coward. I’ve been lucky enough that in my adult life, I’ve had the means to be able to travel to a lot of places, for long periods of time. Sure, I’ve used travel as a mechanism to deal with uncertainties in my life about where to go next and I’ve used it as an exploratory tool for finding out who I am and where I want to spend to my time and energy.

But running away? Have I been using it as a way to escape the large lingering questions in my life? Have I been using it as an avoidance tactic to facing some issues in my life head on?

I think I’ve come up with my answer to this question…it’s been eating at me for the past week. I’m writing this, because maybe you can relate.

Traveling and running away are synonymous in my life.

When I run away and get lost, I learn. I learn more about who I am as a human, how I handle situations of pressure and calmness. I learn tolerance for other mindsets, for other opinions, for other lifestyles. I learn new coping skills. I learn patience and how to prioritize. I learn the realities of the rich, and of the poor; of the privileged and those without opportunity.  

The reality I live in when I’m traveling is the reality I want to live. I cannot live in “reality” the way most people live it. I travel to escape the societal reality of comfort, of predictability, of the 9-5 grind so to speak, because it stunts my mind. So, yes, indeed, I am using travel as an excuse to runaway…to run away from the life that was painted for me / expected of me since I was born, so I can live a life that’s far greater.

There’s no shame in the escape. co-mads is that escape. I want to provide you the same shelter that travel has provided me, as I continue learning about myself and my life’s purpose. I want to provide you the experiences that have changed the course of my life, so maybe they can change the course of yours. If you have the chance to run away, you should take it…it might just be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.

Everybody knows I love where I come from. The Capital Region is home for me and I want to see it shine. I spend a lot of time exploring the nooks and crannies of this region, always on the hunt for new, small, local businesses with character. Coffee culture is a huge part of my life, and my travels. Local coffee shops are the eyes into the culture of the place you are in. I’ve met some lifelong friends in coffee shops, and have made crazy networking connections in local spots. There’s something about them that sparks creativity in me, there’s a big energy that filters through these shops (and it’s not just the caffeine).

I put together a list (not in any particular order), of my favorite coffee shops in the Capital Region in hopes you’ll check them out, support local business, and find inspiration in the atmosphere and people you encounter here.

• Superior Merchandise Company – I like to say this is the coolest, most hipster specialty coffee shop/design shop/community gathering space in the whole region. Whenever I have friends visit from out of town, I bring them there because I want them to see the “dopeness” of where I live.
• Little Peck’s – There are few things as pleasant as sitting in the garden area of this coffee shop with their killer egg and cheese biscuit and a mocha latte. When I’m dreading a project, I setup shop here, because this is where I find peace.
• Stacks Espresso Bar – There are multiple locations and I love all of them, but the one on Broadway in Albany is my favorite because I’ve met the COOLEST people here. Not only are the pour-overs delicious, but there’s an awesome energy that makes you want to get shit done. Plus, the walls of the shop are just floor to ceiling windows which let’s the sun shine on through…always a plus.
• Wired Coffee – A clean-cut coffee shop with amazing bagels and ample space for meetings, the Wired Coffee on Albany Shaker Rd. is the perfect place to have a meeting and then stay for a few hours to work on a project. I love the location, it’s close to my home and there really aren’t many coffee shops in the area that serve high-quality, delicious food and coffee.
• Kru Coffee – It’s a bit out of the way for me, headquartered in Saratoga, but it’s always worth the trip. The place has a cozy, industrial feel and a quality/taste that is key to me loving the place so much. Plus, I still dream of the breakfast sandwich I got a few weeks back.

Hope you’ll pop on by and try these gems out yourself! Support local business, tag them in your posts, tag us in your posts – let me know what you think.

Enjoy your week!

A friend of mine forwarded me this article by Travel Weekly (click here) and said “here you go, this article was written just for you.” The title, “Is Purpose-Driven Travel the Next Big Thing?”

My answer is yes, and co-mads is leading the race in giving people what they want and need out of modern-day travel experiences. I refer to it again and again, but our trinity of modern travel sets the standard for redefining travel with innovative solutions. co-mads is at the forefront of purpose-driven travel.

From the article: Stephanie Turner, president and CEO of St. Louis-based Brentwood Travel and a member of the Board of Directors for Ensemble Travel Group, says she is seeing an increase in clients interested in purpose-driven travel, especially among millennials. “They not only want to go and see, but they want to get to know the people, learn about and immerse themselves in the experience, and if there’s something they can do to help, they want to give back to the communities they are visiting,” she says.

Exactly! People want authentic experiences, opportunities to immerse themselves in local culture, to eat local food from local people, to leave an impact on the communities they encounter, and use travel as a means for personal growth. co-mads provides it all. We work hand-in-hand with locals while developing strong itineraries that meet all of these travel wishes and more. We only partner with nonprofit organizations that are effective and honest in striving toward their missions.

How do I know that’s what people want? Because purpose-driven travel experiences have helped shape me into the person I am today. These are the type of travel experiences I crave. I’ve spoken to many fellow travelers abroad and domestically who are seeking out travel experiences like the ones we provide. co-mads has built an outlet for people like these. We have provided an answer to a question many modern travelers had.

Hop onboard, come on a trip this summer, and change the way you interact with this world. Be part of setting the standard for what travel should be. co-mads is the future of travel.

The other day, a 16-year-old-ish student asked me, “what are you doing for the local community?” She had been listening intently to my story and the way co-mads came about when she decided to call me out in front of the classroom. I had been focusing on the “travel & do good” aspect of co-mads…where we travel to various U.S. cities to explore local culture and participate in a community impact project. She didn’t care about all of that. I was taken aback by her question, but I was impressed. Chances are, this student hasn’t traveled much outside of Albany and cared mostly about what co-mads was doing here in the community she calls home, for the people she calls her neighbors. Valid question.

Let’s back up a little bit. I was very fortunate and honored to be asked by Mission Accomplished Transition Services to be a part of their Power Lunch program last week at the Tony Clement Education Center in downtown Albany. During these short lunch sessions, Mission Accomplished brings in local professionals to talk to a group of high school students to help with career readiness and empowerment. Without this organization, these students may not have the resources or opportunity to be exposed to these types of conversations.

As aforementioned, I was taken aback by the question. The first thought I had was, I wish I could hire this girl. I don’t think I would’ve asked that question when I was her age. To be so young and so concerned about the people living in your own community, wow…Anyway, I started answering by talking about my involvement with the Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy of the Capital Region, how co-mads is partnering with local organizations and businesses to provide socially conscious opportunities for their members/employees, how we hold local events to build community and support local nonprofits, etc. The question and my answer reminded me how important it is to remember where you come from, to lift others up as you’re rising, and how vital my own community has been to any success I’ve ever had. My local community, the Capital Region, and its members, have shaped me (and clearly, this student) into the community-minded person I am today.

Local community is, and will continue to be, a main pillar of co-mads. Sometimes you need someone to bring you back down to earth, and that student certainly did just that…she reminded me of why I’m proud of where I’m from and the young, bright talent we have up-and-coming here. Our future is bright and I will do my best to help the Capital Region shine.

There are so many reasons I love being an entrepreneur and starting something from nothing. I chose this lifestyle because of its flexibility and my desire to develop and build upon my own visions. I never feel more fulfilled than when I start seeing the fruits of my creativity turn into a successful business product/idea. Not going to lie though (and I think a lot of people in my position can relate), there’s a lot of behind the scenes bullshit and completely unglamorous stuff that you encounter in this lifestyle. Being a business owner is not exactly how it appears on social media or in movies.  So, I’m going to share with you its harsh realities in an “Instagram vs. Reality” format.

1. Instagram: Look, my business just got featured in this magazine! Reality: I had to contact the magazine editor five times before they replied and cried because I almost missed my deadline for submitting the article.
2. Instagram: No one can tell me what to do or how to do it. I’m the boss. Reality: I really wish someone would just tell me what to do to make this idea successful right now. I have no idea what I’m doing.
3. Instagram: I took a couple of days off this week to relax, no need to request a PTO day when you’re making the decisions! Reality: I feel really guilty about the time I took off for self-care. I should’ve been working…this business isn’t going to grow itself.
4. Instagram: Made my first big sale this week! Reality: I needed five sales this week to pay my bills on time.
5. Instagram: Thank you to my friends and family for coming out to support me at this event! Reality: This is the first time I’ve been able to see these friends in a month because I’ve been too busy to have a social life.

It’s difficult!!!! It’s certainly not for everyone. Some days, I’m not sure if it’s even for me. It’s worth it, sure, but it can be super draining, tiring, demoralizing, and confusing. After discussions with peer entrepreneurs, we tend to have similar experiences so I just want to share the true stories, keep it real with everyone and let people in my position know, you’re not alone! Keep grindin’ and connect with peers who can relate to the unique struggles of an aspiring entrepreneur. Plus, I’m always here if you need a listening ear or a helping hand…I hope to create another platform sometime soon to allow entrepreneurs to share these struggles and lean on one another during the growing pains. You’ll be the first to know when it’s up and running.

Have a great week!