GoPhilanthropic

Copyright 2008 The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

November 23, 2008

Do good and travel well while on the same trip
By Daniel Wallace

Lydia Dean has always wanted a career that involved traveling the world but found herself in a desk job. Feeling utterly unmotivated, she decided to start her own travel agency that features travel with a twist of compassion that involves giving back.

What do you do?

My husband, John, and I run a travel company called GoPhilanthropic, which combines travel with volunteer opportunities. In visiting places like Cambodia, China, India, Morocco and Thailand, where the people are still fighting for basic needs, we've left wishing there were ways to contribute and support the area while we were there.

How did you get this idea?

Several years ago, we made a leap of faith to leave the United States and move to Provence, France, where we lived for six years. It was there that we gave ourselves the time to really connect to a place and a culture very different from what we knew. While we were there, we renovated a farmhouse and turned it into a villa rental business (www.france vacationvilla.com), helping travelers from around the world to explore the region. Over the years, we learned a great deal about ourselves and also about how others traveled and what they are looking for when they explore. We noticed a genuine interest in going beyond simply seeing the traditional sights. Travelers were seeking interpersonal exchanges with local people and a greater understanding of the region's culture.

What kinds of challenges did you face early on?

Our biggest challenge has been creating awareness about the new trend in philanthropic travel. Most travelers are not aware that they can plan a tour that includes an afternoon of visiting and contributing to a project in the host country. It's an easy way to contribute without a big time commitment or having to stay in uncomfortable accommodations. To us, it's not so much about charity than it is about humanity and opportunity.

What innovative things do you do with the business?

We thought it was important to minimize our carbon footprint, so we got into sustainable green ecotravel. Being good stewards of the environment while we travel is inherent in what we do, and we have tried to implement lots of green initiatives into the business plan. The biggest has been buying carbon credits to offset travel emissions. For the traveler, it costs nothing, but for the tour operator, it cuts into the margins. We also donate 10 percent of our profits to charity groups. We want our business to have a positive footprint to the world and communities around us, which we believe is good social entrepreneurship.

What would you do different?

I wouldn't do things differently. All the mistakes I made or the wrong roads I went down were all red flags that led me to the things that I am doing now. Every job that I have had before doing this one helped me to develop a skill that I use today. Had I listened more strongly to what my gut was telling me early on, I might have gotten here sooner.

Who were some of your mentors?

I had some really great professors in college who taught me to question things and look at things from a million angles. These professors also stressed individuality. I have also been fascinated with famous humanitarians such as Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. I really sought to understand their devotion and simplicity. Somehow I saw them as individuals that cut through all the unimportant aspects of life and highlighted what was really important Ñ humanity.

How do you balance work life?

We mainly like to get out in nature. We just bought a kayak Ñ it's a great way to connect with the kids, plus we have great conversations. Music is a huge pastime for us and for our children. We have close friends and family and we cherish our time with them.

What's your advice for other young professionals?

You have the answers to almost all of your own questions. Ask yourself the difficult questions in life and don't be afraid of an honest answer. Follow your heart, you won't go broke. You can make a living doing something you love to do.